FIRST GROUP

At First Group, we pride ourselves on being more than just one of South Africa’s leading leisure groups – we're a vital part of a larger family that includes the communities we serve. Understanding the importance of corporate social responsibility, we're committed to making a positive difference—not just for our guests, but for the surrounding communities too. By embracing the benefits of corporate social responsibility, we aim to answer the question, "What is the purpose of corporate social responsibility?" with our actions and commitments. Our activities in helping the community include giving back and working hand-in-hand to bring about lasting change and make a difference in people’s lives. Take a look below to see how we help our communities grow stronger and demonstrate care that extends beyond our business. It’s about making a real impact and supporting each other every step of the way, highlighting the profound benefits of corporate social responsibility in action.

La Montagne is a drop-off point for donations to aid those affected by the devastating storms in KZN. Our staff are working with disaster management to distribute donated items, including food, blankets, and essentials, to those in need. If you would like to donate, please bring your items to La Montagne, and we will ensure they reach those who need them most.

Magalies Park proudly supports Meerhof School, a local special needs institution, by hosting biannual golf days and assisting with various projects. Additionally, they champion a young girl battling Cystic Fibrosis through annual golf days and high tea events, reinforcing their commitment to community care.

Magalies Park is dedicated to sustainability with an onsite nursery, a bee hive project to support pollination, and a worm farm that enriches their soil. Their comprehensive recycling program and fish project further their commitment to environmental conservation, making a positive impact on the ecosystem.

La Montagne is committed to sustainability, equipping all taps with flow restrictors and using only biodegradable chemicals. The resort also recycles all cans from its bars and actively participates in beach clean-ups, demonstrating a proactive approach to environmental conservation.

Sterkfontein Dam faces severe poaching threats, endangering its unique yellowfish. Craig Hill, the General Manager of First Group’s very own Qwantani Berg and Trout Resort, is leading the conservation efforts with the Sterkfontein Yellowfish Conservation Group, employing innovative strategies to safeguard this vital ecological asset.

To help uplift their community, La Montagne has been donating discarded linen to Changing Lives, a charity assisting impoverished children in rural South Africa. These vital contributions alleviate resource shortages in underserved areas, providing crucial support to children growing up in poverty.​​​​​

Magalies Park upgraded its wastewater management with a 7 km network of sewer pipes and three new treatment plants, ensuring efficient handling of the resort’s wastewater. The treated "grey" water is utilised for irrigating their 18-hole golf course and gardens, covering 80% of the resort.

Midlands Saddle and Trout launched a Bee Project, installing hives across their property to support bee conservation and enhance local agriculture through improved pollination. They've relocated bees from less ideal locations to these hives, fostering a sustainable ecosystem. The project not only aims to preserve essential plants but also to produce honey.

Hole in the Wall staff dedicated 67 minutes to cleaning Coffee Bay and Hole in the Wall beach for Mandela Day, enhancing the area's beauty and safety. Their efforts not only provided guests with pristine beaches to enjoy but also protected local marine life, creating a cleaner, healthier coastal environment.

Magalies Park introduced a plant nursery. Seeds harvested from mature plants are nurtured into seedlings and later transplanted back into the grounds, enriching its greenery with home-grown plants. The resort uses indigenous plants and recycles all garden waste into compost, including hyacinths from the waterfront, enhancing the nutrients and health of the garden.

Magalies Park introduced a recycling plant. By promoting waste separation into wet and dry categories, and further sorting into plastics, glass, and paper, they significantly enhance recycling efforts. Additionally, wet waste is repurposed by a local pig farmer to reduce landfill impact and conserve resources.

Magalies Park implemented a worm farm at their nursery, transforming restaurant waste and organic material into a sustainable resource. The process compacts waste and produces 'worm juice', an effective organic fertiliser, which is used to improve soil and enhance greenery. This initiative reduces waste by 95% and supports a greener environment.

The ocean takes care of us; let's return the favour! Beach clean-ups are crucial as they maintain healthy coastal ecosystems, vital for marine life and act as natural buffers against climate extremes. Hole in the Wall staff works hard to keep Coffee Bay beach pristine, enhancing habitat and visitor experiences.

Margate Sands added new plants to the sidewalk of Margate’s main beaches. Plants, through photosynthesis, release oxygen into the atmosphere and absorb CO2—mitigating climate change and providing purified air for people and animals to breathe. Plus, it looks beautiful!

Oceans Of Plastic was created to shine the spotlight on plastic pollution in our oceans, encouraging people to get involved in clean-ups, school events, and communities. Our resorts, Margate Sands and Hole in the Wall, do regular beach clean-ups as part of the initiative.

The team at La Montagne in Ballito united for a beach clean-up, enhancing the beauty of Ballito beaches and safeguarding marine life. This vital effort demonstrates the power of community action in preserving our environment. #beachcleanup

FOR HILLCREST PRIMARY AND AIDS CENTRE TRUST

First Group donated 3000 COVID-19 masks to Hillcrest Primary School for the kids, teachers, and parents. A further 9000 masks were donated to the Hillcrest Aids Centre Trust (HACT) for their various charitable departments, from the Gogos in the valley, to their on-site 24-hour hospital that cares for those with HIV and Cancer. We are proud to support the amazing Hillcrest community!

FOR HILLCREST AIDS CENTRE TRUST

First Group is proud to support the phenomenal Hillcrest Aids Centre Trust. We sponsor four beds every year, and in the past, we’ve held toy drives and bake sales and assisted with painting buildings and other tasks where we could. This year, for World Aids Day, we built scarecrows to brighten up the plant nursery alongside the incredibly talented Woza Moya crafters.

The team from First Group’s Selborne Golf Estate, Hotel & Spa, has answered an urgent appeal to help 24 families in the Pennington community. The call for support for the vulnerable families was made by the Pennington Community Watch and touched the heart of Selborne Estate’s Head Chef, Colleen Mulholland. Chef Colleen joined forces with Chef Danielle Venter of Unilever Food…

One idea is all it takes to change the world for the better. Our teams challenged each other to make the world just that little bit better. We’re proud to share with you that through the team’s generosity, significant donations were made to both Hillcrest Aids Centre Trust and East Coast Radio’s Toy Story initiative.

A day after the country commemorated World Aids Day, First Group, one of South Africa’s leading leisure groups, joined the Hillcrest Aids Centre Trust (HACT) for their candle-lighting ceremony to hand over 3 842 items donated that their staff had personally raised.