The Ridge Casino & Entertainment resort is commited to making a difference in the lives of those less fortunate, and to uplift and enrich the community in which we live. The following are some of our Social Investment Initiatives of 2008.

Exam Time - November 2008

The Ridge staff was welcomed by the Middelburg Care Village children at the entrance to the Care Village Hall.

A very excited group of children helped to off load the kombi and Sesi had her hands full to get them to quiet down in the hall. The children welcomed Phumelele of F&B with the 'clap-clap' song. A while ago we asked the children to write down one item they would like to receive in their monthly hygiene pack we were able to surprise them this month with this special item, from hair gel to bubble bath.

Through a generous donation of vitamin tables from Clicks, Highveld Mall, The Ridge was able to give all the senior children writing examinations those very needed vitamins to give them mental stamina for the exams. This was received eagerly by the teenagers.

Once again we were also able to donate 10 x 10kg bags of maize to the Care Village. The Ridge also bought necessary medicine for all 85 children, thus assisting them with general health needs.

Personal Hygiene Packs - October 2008

On the 13th October The Ridge visited the Middelburg Care Village and handed to each child their own personal hygiene pack and 16 bags of maize.

We were also pleased to introduce Sister Johanna to all the children. Sister Johanna is the SAFAM nurse that works at The Ridge. The Ridge will be taking Sister Johanna to the Middelburg Care Village every Friday afternoon to offer a clinic service to the children at the Middelburg Care Village. Sister was warmly greeted by all the children and in her words she said...'I will not only be here for your physical needs, feel free to visit me with any of your mental or spiritual needs as well'...

School Holiday Treat

On the 1st October 2008 The Ridge gave the children at the Middelburg Care Village a holiday treat. The hot afternoon was spent watching DVDs with popcorn, sweets and a juice.

Birthday Party

The Ridge turned 6 and decided to share our Birthday fun with Middelburg Care Village and Bethesda House. Staff joined in and played games with the kids till they were exhausted. No party is a success without the ice-cream and party packs which went down well with the children.

Study Methods - September 2008

The CSI team went on our monthly visit to the Middelburg Care Village to deliver to the children their own personal hygiene pack for the month.

Once again the children were so excited to see us and greeted us with big smiles and a flood of hugs. The Ridge does not only help the children with their personal pride by supplying them with hygiene items, we also focus on education.

This month The Ridge assisted 10 senior kids to attend a course on Study Methods. The Ridge General Manager sat down with the children and encouraged them to work hard in school in order for them to achieve their life ambitions.

We will be able to see if attending the course helped to improve their school marks. One child finished her Assistant Chef training at MRTT in Nelspruit and also completed her three months of practical training.

Donation - August 2008

In August 2008, The Ridge handed over a R5,000 donation raised by the Duke of Edinburgh golf challenge held at The Witbank Golf Club in April 2008.

School shoes and dictionaries were bought with the DOE funds and was handed to Collen at the Middelbug Care Village yesterday.

Aptitude Tests - July 2008

The Ridge Staff visited the Care Village and handed each child their own personal hygiene hamper for the month. The staff also entertained the kids and they all enjoyed the afternoon.

All the grade 10 & 11 pupils in the Care Village were given the opportunity to do an aptitude test during July and given one on one career counseling by John Usher. Investing in the childrens' future is far more important than little handouts with no long term impact on the children.

The Ridge Hotel made a generous donation to the Middleburg Care Village by donating bed covers, hand towels, bath mats, etc. It is all the little things that make a huge difference in the lives of these less fortunate children.

The Ridge is very proud of two children who were given the opportunity to study at MRTT. One is currently busy with his level 2 Carpentry training and the other is busy with her Assistant Chef practical training.
Both these students took the opportunity given to them and made a success of it. Tsogo Sun Head Office made a generous donation of a cell phone to each child. Receiving these phones was indeed one of the biggest gifts these kids could receive. The Ridge commits to help them achieve the highest goal they want to achieve.

Interschool Soccer Tournament - June 2008

Following the unbelievable success in 2007, The Ridge/Altech Autapage Cellullar Inter schools soccer showdown is scheduled to set the soccer fields ablaze on the 20th June, 2008.

This tournament has been initiated to eradicate the epidemic of crime and drug abuse which has eroded the city of Emalahleni and dented its reputation. In 2007 we hosted our very first Inter-schools soccer showdown where eight schools including our CSI beneficiaries namely Middelburg care village and Ethembeni Children's Haven. Every participating school was issued a new soccer kit provided by Altech Autopage Cellular and catering along with prizes was supplied by The Ridge.

The Executive mayor of Emalahleni Mrs. Linah Malatjie and the 2008 Nedbank Cup finalists Mpumalanga Aces were at the event to give recognition and motivation for the youngsters. This years tournament is guaranteed to be an even bigger spectacle with more companies coming on board to sponsor namely: Incredible Connection Witbank, Ideo Graphics and Promo-mania. The main sponsor is Altech Autopage Cellular

The invited schools are from the urban and suburbia areas of Emalahleni and the division is under 14yrs.

The 2008 Inter schools soccer showdown line up is: Jeremiah Mdaka primary school (2007 Champions), Zacheous Malaza Secondary school, Middleburg care Village, Bongiduvha Primary School, Middelburg Mine Combined School, Mapule Sindane Primary School, Itereleng Primary School, Nancy Shiba Primary School, J.Kananda Primary Schools and Impilo farm school.

The schools will be playing the under 14 division and the venue is Lesedi Village playgrounds at Duvha Opencast in Emalahleni. Kick off is at 8:00. Inter-School soccer Showdown, to 2010 and beyond! Altech Autopage Cellular

For more information call Susan at 013 655 9314

The Little Extras - May 2008

The Ridge casino visited the 79 children at the Middelburg Care Village in May to deliver the childrens' monthly hygiene packs.

However with winter in the air The Ridge added a packet of chewable Vitamin C tablets to each child's pack to assist with the childrens' immune systems this winter. This is part of The Ridge Community Social Investment plan not only to assist the children with day to day needs but also those little extras that make a difference to their lives.

Holiday Fun - April 2008

On Tuesday the 8th April the children of the Middleburg Care Village visited The Ridge for some Holiday Fun.

All children need something to tell when they go back to school. The 47 children were very excited and could not wait for their movie to start. For some it was their first time in a cinema. They were very excited about their popcorn and cool drinks. After the movie they were spoiled with a Wimpy lunch and then the fun started. For most of the kids it was their first time on a Putt-Putt course and we sure had fun showing them how to play.

The bigger kids had more fun at Magic Company and we just could not give out enough coins. The children had a great day and could not thank us enough for the day. Events like this make the staff involved with CSI so grateful for what we have.

School Uniforms - February 2008

The Ridge visited the Middelburg Care Village on the 8th Feb 2008 to deliver school clothing bought to the value of R9000.

With the Care Village that expanded to 80 children, supplying school clothing is a huge expense for the Middelburg Care Village. The Ridge also provided each child with their own hygiene bag filled with hygiene items for the hot summer days to feel fresh and clean. Each child felt special to receive their own bag personally.

This is just another way The Ridge reaches out to make a difference in the lives of these special children

Back to School - January 2008

The Ridge Casino strives to make a difference in the lives of the children at the Middelburg Care Village.

To go back to school can be a very exciting event for most children and therefore The Ridge decided to contribute towards this excitement, and no better way than to start their school year with new school stationary.

The Ridge CSI (Community Social Investment) bought dictionaries, scissors, flip files and much more and delivered it during January 2008 to Middelburg Care Village.