Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Sun International launches worm farm

Sun International launches worm farm
Written by Kabanda Chulu
Tuesday, September 15, 2009 6:15:57 PM

SUN International Zambia has embarked on an innovative way of disposing of its waste through the launch of a worm farm (vermiculture) to process leftover food and other organic matter whose end products will be used as fertilisers and soil conditioner.

Giving an update on the agri-project that involves about 387 small-scale farmers across Livingstone, Sun International Zambia (SIZ) public relations manager Stella Mulala stated that management had embarked on a number of developmental projects and partnerships with local communities to create and enhance sustainable sources of revenue in the region.

Mulala stated that the main aim of the Agri-project was to help alleviate poverty and increase food security in the local community by encouraging and developing small-scale entrepreneurship.

She stated that to achieve this goal, Sun International Zambia was using the Hydroponics Centre at the Resort as a base for technological transfer of skills.

“The centre is used to educate the identified local communities in new and sustainable agricultural practices with the use of modern technology to grow crops throughout the year and achieve high yields,” Mulala stated.

“This helps small-scale farmers to acquire new knowledge and skills needed for entrepreneurship development. The development of small businesses is seen as the driving force to achieving food security and economic empowerment of the local people.”

She further explained that Sun International Zambia conceptualised the Monday Farmers' Market in order to provide the farmers with a steady and sustainable market for their products.

“This innovative initiative allows small-scale farmers to bring their produce every Monday to the company warehouse to sell their produce to Sun International at a market related price,” stated Mulala.

And last month, Sun International Zambia won the 2009 Gold Magellan Award by Travel Weekly in the Eco-Friendly ‘Green’ Resort/Hotel category.

The Magellan Awards is the premier awards programme honouring the best in the travel industry and salutes the outstanding travel professionals behind it all.

The Magellan Award winners represent the best in travel from design to marketing to services. And winners will also receive a custom-produced statuette created by the same company that produces the Oscar and Emmy awards.

“Being selected as a Magellan Award Winner is a tremendous achievement and proves we deliver a high standard of excellence within the travel industry,” stated Sun International Zambia general manager Craig Storkey.

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Thursday, August 13, 2009

Sun International uses global recession as an advantage

Sun International uses global recession as an advantage
Written by Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone
Thursday, August 13, 2009 1:57:48 PM

SUN International Zambia has taken theglobal economic recession as an eye opener and will not lay off workers, the resort’s public relations and marketing manager Stella Mulala has said.

In an interview, Mulala said Sun Hotel had used the global recession to its advantage other than focusing on the negativity it carried.

“In as much as the global recession has had a toll on every individual, the Sun Group of hotels has decided to help its employees use this period to their advantage by offering various training courses to assist in maximising on their finances,” she said.

Mulala said Sun International was one of the few companies in Zambia that had not declared any redundancies, despite the difficult market conditions.

“We have instead used this time to our advantage by helping members of staff get a clear understanding of how to handle their finances during this period as a way of preparing themselves for the future. Some of the training programmes offered involve first aid, fire fighting and cross position training,” she said.

Mulala added that although many companies would face difficult trading conditions in the months ahead, Sun International remained confident in Zambiaís long-term prospects.

“We appeal to our staff to play their part in ensuring that the company emerges strong after all this difficult period for the good of all. Sun International will not hold back in corporate social responsibilities it is involved in as these projects have managed to bring out a lot of success stories in the community. Sun International Zambia has not abandoned any of its CSI commitments as it believes the community needs it the most now,” Mulala said.

And commenting on the upcoming first-ever tourism awards, Mulala said competition was healthy in their line of business as it enables the hospitality industry to improve on services.

“We look forward to the awards, as this will help us in improving on the services we are currently offering. Sun International is working very hard to make our business competitive and sustainable for the future and we commend the SEED project under the Ministry of Tourism for promoting this initiative,” said Mulala.

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