South Africa’s biggest hotel group, Tsogo Sun Holdings, are setting up their very own desalination plant, as Cape Town’s Water Crisis continues to intensify.
According to News24, the popular hotel and casino company plan to use the desalinated water for their Cape Town hotels, thus eliminating themselves from the mainstream water system.
Tsogo Sun’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Ravi Nadasen, on Wednesday said that their water should be functional early next month.
“There is a plan in place that all of the alternative water sources will come on board before Day Zero comes,” Nadasen said.
“The current situation in Cape Town is going to become the new normal. We’ve got to be responsible as well.”
Tsogo Sun’s General Manager of Group Communications Priya Naidoo said, “Tsogo Sun has made arrangements to have water available for guests during their stay through a desalination plant and alternative water augmentation.”
“These arrangements include taking some of our largest properties off the water grid in consultation with the City of Cape Town, which include Southern Sun The Cullinan, Southern Sun Waterfront and The Westin Cape Town which is owned by the Hospitality Property Fund, a subsidiary of Tsogo Sun Holdings.”
“Staff members are monitoring water usage in line with stipulated targets through newly installed dashboards. All guests and operators can be reassured that Tsogo Sun will honour all confirmed hotel bookings.”
“We will continue to consult with all relevant stakeholders, particularly the City of Cape Town, with a firm focus on implementing all recommended measures to address the current water shortage crisis.”
The City of Cape Town announced the postponement of Day Zero from April to mid-May due to the agricultural industry’s water usage reduction.
Grabouw and Elgin farmers also donated 10-million cubic meters of water (10-billion litres) to Cape Town earlier this week. Watch the video here
Well done tsogo sun. Great way in creating awareness and taking the first step
— Kiaran (@caprisun90) February 8, 2018
Brilliant
— Dale (@DalePackham) February 8, 2018
Yes. @tsogosun can afford to build its own desalination plant. It skins people alive at their casinos ?
— Happy (@KingstonSunhine) February 8, 2018
Great news. You’ve been wasting our resources for far too long.
— Straight talk (@wacky0n3) February 8, 2018
Picture: Facebook