Staff from City Lodge Hotel Lynnwood, which is located at the Lynnwood Bridge complex on the eastern side of Pretoria, recently visited Eersterus Old Age Home in Pretoria to bring them some a “sweet” surprise ahead of Christmas.

They arrived at the home armed with loads of sweets to bring some festive cheer into the lives of the senior citizens residing there.  As can be seen by these photos, their tasty treats were well received by the home’s residents. This is another demonstration of the City Lodge Hotel group’s “I’m Kind” programme in action. Opened in 2010, the 205-room City Lodge Hotel Lynnwood has become a popular accommodation destination for both business and leisure travellers in the Pretoria area. Ever since its opening, the hotel has ensured that it makes a meaningful contribution towards improving the lives of the less fortunate in nearby communities.  

City Lodge Hotel Lynnwood is one of several City Lodge Hotel Group hotels in the Pretoria area – the others being City Lodge Hotel Hatfield, Courtyard Hotel Arcadia, Town Lodge Menlo and Road Lodge Centurion. Importantly, it is not just at Christmas time that hotels in the City Lodge Hotel Group benefit the needy and less fortunate in various communities around the country. It happens throughout the year on a regular basis.

The group’s “I’m Kind” programme involves various acts of kindness that benefit children, the aged and other needy people. Hotels adopt projects within their neighbouring communities and get involved in helping them with various maintenance activities – such as painting – and through the donation of linen and various other items. Through bookings on its website, the group also donates money on behalf of guests to Hospice and Food & Trees for Africa. An annual donation is also made to the Cancer Association of South Africa as a result of tea and coffee bought by guests at 21 Road Lodges around the country.    

The new reciprocal agreement betweenSouth African Airways and Virgin Australia bring new benefits to frequent flyers on both airlines.  

Johannesburg, South Africa - 21 November 2014, South African Airways and Virgin Australia have today announced a reciprocal frequent flyer agreement giving Velocity Frequent Flyer and SAA Voyager members the ability to earn and redeem Points and be recognized across both airlines’ networks.

From early next year, Velocity members will be eligible to earn Velocity Points and Status Credits on all South African Airways flights and operated services, including Airlink and SA Express. In addition to this, SAA Voyager members will be able to earn Miles on all Virgin Australia operated services, including all domestic, short-haul and long-haul international flight routes. This means that Velocity members purchasing flight tickets for travel within Australia or to any of SAA’s route network’s destinations on an SAA flight will earn Velocity Points and Status Credits while SAA Voyager members will earn Points when purchasing airline tickets on any Virgin Australia flight.

Velocity members will be able to use their Points to purchase Reward Seats on all South African Airways operated services in either Economy or Business Class, while Voyager members can do the same across the entire Virgin Australia operated network in Economy, Premium Economy and Business Class. This applies to domestic, regional or international flights on each carrier.

Velocity Frequent Flyer Chief Executive Officer, Neil Thompson said: “This is an exciting extension of the bilateral codeshare agreement Virgin Australia launched with South African Airways in October this year.

“Having the ability to earn and redeem Points as well as enjoy a number of premium services like priority check-in, priority boarding and lounge access with South African Airways is an important benefit for our members.

“We continue to find innovative ways to reward our members and extending the ability to utilise Points on our growing international network is important to our most valued customers,” Mr Thompson said.

Executive SAA Customer Loyalty, Ms Suretha Cruse said: “South African Airways is delighted to build upon the strong relationship we have with Virgin Australia. We have had very positive feedback since code-sharing on Virgin Australia’s domestic network and this will only further enhance our customers’ experience.”

“We are very pleased to be able to offer our valued Voyager members with new mileage earning and redeeming opportunities when they fly on the Virgin Australia network, and look forward to welcome Velocity members on the award-winning services of SAA,” Ms Cruse said.

For more information, visit www.velocityfrequentflyer.com or www.flysaa.com.  

About  SAA

South African Airways is a Star Alliance member that offers flights to 38 destinations worldwide. Domestically, SAA operates 544 flights a week between Johannesburg – Cape Town, Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth. Regionally SAA offers 24 destinations across the African continent and its international network creates links to all major continents from South Africa through 10 direct routes. In the regional category, SAA has received the Skytrax ‘Best Airline in Africa’ Award for 11 consecutive years.   

South African Airways announces new mileage earning opportunities for voyager members in North America. This is yet another passenger bonus that comes from the commercial partnership between SAA and JetBlue.  

Johannesburg, South Africa. November 2014 – South African Airways (SAA), Africa’s most awarded airline, has launched a new frequent flyer partnership with JetBlue Airways in North America. This new partnership will provide SAA’s Voyager members with expanded mileage earning opportunities.   

Effective immediately, Voyager members will be able to earn mileage credits on flights across JetBlue’s expansive network of destinations in the U.S.A, Caribbean, and Latin America. In addition to this, JetBlue’s TrueBlue members can earn TrueBlue points on SAA’s entire network of flights where SAA is the operating carrier. The two airlines plan to introduce a redemption programme for award travel for members of their respective frequent flyers during the first quarter of 2015.  

“South African Airways is delighted to build upon the successful commercial partnership that we established with JetBlue over five years ago, by offering enhanced benefits for both our customers through our respective frequent flyer programmes,” said Suretha Cruse, SAA Executive Customer Loyalty.  “We are pleased to offer our valued Voyager members new mileage earning opportunities when they fly SAA to New York or Washington, DC, and onto JetBlue destinations throughout their network and welcome JetBlue’s TrueBlue members on the award-winning services of SAA.”  

SAA operates the most flights between South Africa and the U.S.A , including daily flights to New York from its Johannesburg hub to New York-JFK International Airport and flights to Washington, DC-Dulles International Airport. Convenient onward connections are offered with JetBlue between New York and Washington, DC, and 86 destinations throughout their route network in the Americas. In Africa, SAA flights to New York from Johannesburg and from Johannesburg to Washington, DC connect with 24 cities throughout the African continent.  

“We are pleased to add a world-class airline like South African Airways to our loyalty programme.  Our TrueBlue members can now earn points when they fly on South African Airways’ flights from the U.S. or anywhere on their network.  We look forward to continuing to expand our partnership with SAA,” said Robin Hayes, President, JetBlue.  

As code share partners, SAA’s “SA” code is on JetBlue operated flights between New York and Washington, DC and 18 other cities in the U.S. This includes popular destinations such as, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Denver. Customers purchasing a code share itinerary will benefit from having a single ticket combining SAA and JetBlue operated flights, as well as the convenience of competitive pricing, one-stop check-in and through baggage transfer; with allowance of up to two free pieces of checked baggage.  

For more information on the South African Airways’ Voyager programme, visit www.flysaa.com.  

About South African Airways South African Airways is a Star Alliance member that offers flights to 38 destinations worldwide. Domestically, SAA operates 544 flights a week between Johannesburg – Cape Town, Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth. Regionally SAA offers 24 destinations across the African continent and its international network creates links to all major continents from South Africa through 10 direct routes. In the regional category, SAA has received the Skytrax ‘Best Airline in Africa’ Award for 11 consecutive years.      

About JetBlue Airways JetBlue is New York's Hometown Airline™, and a leading carrier in Boston, Fort Lauderdale/ Hollywood, Los Angeles (Long Beach), Orlando, and San Juan. JetBlue carries more than 30 million customers a year to 86 cities in the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin America with an average of 800 daily flights. Flights to Curaçao will launch on December 2, 2014; subject to receipt of government approval. With JetBlue, all seats are assigned, all fares are one-way, an overnight stay is never required and the first checked bag is free (subject to weight and size limits and exceptions for itineraries including flights marketed or operated by other airlines). For more information please visit JetBlue.com.

South African Airways warns the public of fraudulent sites that give misleading information about SAA’s Cadet Pilot Development Programme and cabin crew recruitment process. We provide information on what people should be aware of.  

Johannesburg, South Africa – South African Airways (SAA) would like to advise the South African public that it has taken note of unofficial websites that purport to be SAA official websites. Those websites contain false and/or misleading information about SAA’s Cadet Pilot Development Programme and cabin crew recruitment process. 

SAA would like to clarify that it does not have any relationship whatsoever with those false channels (websites), nor the individuals behind them. Members of the public are advised to take caution and are encouraged to contact SAA telephonically in case they need to verify the official SAA electronic platforms that they should use.

A quick way of identifying these bogus sites is by looking out for a fee that is required to be paid to “secure an application, or to ensure that an applicant gets shortlisted’’. SAA never charges any fee during recruitment drives.  

Cadet Pilot applications

On 14 September 2014, SAA invited young South Africans who aspire to become pilots to send their applications for the 2014/2015 intake of SAA’s Cadet Pilot Programme. The advert was placed in some of the national weekend newspapers. In addition, the following official SAA electronic communication channels carried the advert: SAA website (flysaa.com), SAA’s Facebook page (FlySAA) and SAA’s Twitter account (@flysaa). The closing date for the submission of applications was 27 September 2014.

Due to the high demand, SAA decided to extend the closing date to 3 October 2014. That date has since passed and no further extensions have been granted.   

Unofficial websites

SAA views the fraudulent use of its corporate identity in a serious light. It is not only potentially harmful to the brand but poses a risk of exposing unsuspecting members of the public to the risk of having their personal information getting into the wrong hands.   Should the airline obtain reliable information about any persons behind this scam, SAA will not hesitate to take legal action.  

About SAA

South African Airways is a Star Alliance member that offers flights to 38 destinations worldwide. Domestically, SAA operates 544 flights a week between Johannesburg – Cape Town, Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth. Regionally SAA offers 24 destinations across the African continent and its international network creates links to all major continents from South Africa through 10 direct routes. In the regional category, SAA has received the Skytrax ‘Best Airline in Africa’ Award for 11 consecutive years.

Pretoria, South Africa – South African Airways (SAA) has established itself as a premier service provider of domestic flights, flights from South Africa to all major international destinations and also flights to South Africa from most main airports around the world. Now, in an effort to inspire aspiring children in underprivileged communities to strive towards careers in the aviation industry, the airline has partnered with Boeing, one of the world's largest aerospace companies. On the 19th of September, these two companies unveiled a Boeing 737-800 aircraft replica which will be visiting schools around the country as part of the SiVulindlela Aviation Awareness Project. This was unveiled during the Africa Aerospace Defence show at the Air Force Base in Waterkloof, Pretoria, with school learners in attendance.

The project, targeted at grade eight to 11 learners, aims to help them understand some aspects of the aviation industry including, among others, technical and piloting opportunities in this industry.

Boeing converted a new special purpose-built cargo container to resemble a Boeing 737-800 aircraft with near-complete functionality of a cockpit, cabin seats, storage cabins and a demonstration engine. The replica also has a plasma TV and iPad functionality mimicking the external view from a cockpit and the digital operation of an aircraft.  

“As SAA, we are fully committed to opening doors for young women and men to explore other career options in the aviation industry. For many, this sector is far removed from their realities due to socio-economic circumstances, but we believe that if we plant this seed today, many will cherish and rise above any limitations to pursue their interest in the aviation space,” says SAA CEO, Mr Monwabisi Kalawe.

This mobile exhibition will be used to raise awareness about aircraft and career options available in this space especially in remote communities around South Africa where many people have never seen the inside of an aeroplane. The experience with the aircraft model will provide practical exposure to all the aspects of operating an aircraft. Pilots, technicians and cabin crew members will be conducting tutorials to help learners gain insight about the industry. Participating schools will be supplied with relevant reading materials and videos.  

“The aviation industry plays a crucial role in the movement of passengers and cargo, facilitating cross-border trade and enhancing socio-economic standards across the African continent,” said J. Miguel Santos, vice president, Africa, Boeing International and sales director, Africa, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Project SiVulindlela is an investment in the future development of young South Africans to inspire them to become the pilots, engineers, technicians and airline personnel of tomorrow,” concludes Santos. The Department of Basic Education will play a key role in identifying schools which will be visited during this nation-wide initiative.

About SAA South African Airways is a Star Alliance member that offers flights to 38 destinations worldwide. Domestically, SAA operates 544 flights a week between Johannesburg – Cape Town, Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth. Regionally SAA offers 24 destinations across the African continent and its international network creates links to all major continents from South Africa through 10 direct routes. In the regional category, SAA has received the Skytrax ‘Best Airline in Africa’ Award for 11 consecutive years.

Johannesburg, South Africa – On the 21 August South African Airways (SAA) celebrated women’s month with a flight to Cape Town from Johannesburg. What set this flight apart from other domestic flights is that it was operated by an All-Female crew.

The rest of the flight preparations were also conducted by females. On board this flight of flights to Cape Town were SAA female executives, led by Ms Zukisa Ramasia, General Manager of Operations. Ms Ramasia is responsible for SAA’s overall global operations portfolio, which comprises SAA’s flight and cabin operations, airport operations, ground handling, lounges, on-board logistics and inventory, aviation safety and security, as well as SAA’s global operations control centre.

SA313 was captained by the airline’s first black female captain, Captain Kavistha Maharaj, with First Officer, Olga Bottger as the co-pilot. Looking after customers were cabin crew Purser Nomvuzo Mjanyelwa, Senior Cabin Crew Member Rene Essack, Cabin Crew Members Sonali Bissessor, Thilimbeli Mikosi and Michelle De Freitas.

Playing a key role in putting the flight together was Mathilda du Plessis, the Flight Dispatcher and Nwabisa Mbulaheni was the Operations Controller. The load controller was Nicole Mortimer and the Ramp Controller Lucia Mcpherson.

“We are extremely proud of the achievements of the women at SAA, where we are represented throughout the company, in leadership positions as well as in key operational areas which enables SAA to run smooth and on-time operations,” says Ramasia.

The All-Female operated flight is symbolic and a strong transformation indicator reflecting the airline's efforts to transcend the stereotypes and barriers of the past. These were manifest in the form of race and gender discrimination. Today SAA has women working as technicians, flight deck crew, cabin crew, and in key operational and support areas throughout the SAA Group.

At present SAA women make up 38.96% of all staff, (24.85% general staff; 0.83% cockpit crew and 13.29% cabin crew).   

About SAA

South African Airways is a Star Alliance member that offers flights to 38 destinations worldwide. Domestically, SAA operates 544 flights a week between Johannesburg – Cape Town, Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth. Regionally SAA offers 24 destinations across the African continent and its international network creates links to all major continents from South Africa through 10 direct routes. In the regional category, SAA has received the Skytrax ‘Best Airline in Africa’ Award for 11 consecutive years.                             

Cape Town, South Africa – Every year, South African Airways (SAA) convenes a panel of leading winemakers and sommeliers to choose the wines served on-board its aircraft in the coming 12 months. This year, the process began on 25 August and culminated in a media and industry briefing on 27 August at the Nederburg Wine Estate in Stellenbosch.

At the briefing, the panel of 12 judges reported back on the more than 800 wines they have tasted over the past two days, and answered questions.

“The annual wine selection is one of SAA’s most hallowed traditions and one that we—and the industry—take seriously. SAA is a showcase for South Africa on many fronts, not least of them our excellent local wines,” says Bongi Sodladla, SAA Senior Food & Beverage Manager and Sommelier, who leads the process. “The judges’ report-back acts as a ‘state of the wine nation’, and provides an opportunity to give an assessment of where our wine industry is at present.”

The judges’ selection of approximately 60 wines will be announced at an awards ceremony on 1 November 2014.

Aside from Sodladla herself, this year’s panel included eight women and four men—a gender division that reflects the fact that the selection process traditionally takes place in August, women’s month. This year, Sodladla secured a mix of wine-makers and sommeliers to gain the perfect balance between technical expertise and the pairing of food and wine.

Sodladla has also put together a panel with strong African roots, complemented by international expertise from the husband-and-wife team of John and Petronella Salvi, who are based in France. Petronella Salvi, however, was born in South Africa.

“All the judges are experts in the field and most have worked with us before. Experience is important because a wine’s characteristics are exaggerated at high altitudes, something that has to be part of the selection process,” Sodladla notes. “Pairing the right wines with the right food is an integral part of the travel experience on SAA.”

The logistical process of the tasting is coordinated by Bennie Howard, well-known Cape Wine Master. What is clear is that a flight ticket with SAA also includes a selection of the best vintages the Cape Winelands have to offer. 

About SAA

South African Airways is a Star Alliance member that offers flights to 38 destinations worldwide. Domestically, SAA operates 544 flights a week between Johannesburg – Cape Town, Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth. Regionally SAA offers 24 destinations across the African continent and its international network creates links to all major continents from South Africa through 10 direct routes. In the regional category, SAA has received the Skytrax ‘Best Airline in Africa’ Award for 11 consecutive years.   

Spend R7500 or more collectively in one day at stores at the Duty Free Mall at O.R Tambo International and claim a coffee and Chocolate Hamper to the value of R700 OR Spend R18 000 and claim your Hugo Boss Men's or Ladies' watch to the value of R3 500.

*Offer valid from 24 Jul - 31 Oct 2014 While Stocks Last. Terms and conditions apply.

Visit www.saairports.com for more information. 

The RAC City Lodge Tough One enters its fifth decade today with entries opening for the 41st staging of this annual 32km road race which is the start of many runners’ Comrades Marathon training.

Sponsored by the City Lodge Hotel Group since 2007, the race started in 1975 with 280 finishers and last year saw 4,865 runners making it to the finish line, 1,291 of them in under three hours.

This year’s race takes place on Sunday, November 23, a week after the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Race. Last year saw no fewer than 414 competitors receiving a double medal for completing the cycle race and the running event on consecutive Sundays – are they very mad or just very fit, one may ask?

Online entries can be done from today, September 23 through www.ticketpro.co.za up until November 2 if you want the T-Shirt, but up until race day if you don’t want the T-Shirt. Hand delivery entries can also be processed at various running shops in Gauteng. Brochures explaining all the payment and entry details for the race are also available throughout Gauteng.

Here are some interesting facts and figures about the Tough One:      

• The men’s record is held by Mabuthuli Lebopo – 1.42.53 in 2004      
• The ladies’ record is held by Frith van der Merwe – 2.00.17 way back in 1988 (and no one has come close to breaking this record)      
• Olympic Marathon gold medallist Josia Thugwane won the race in 1992      
• Running legends Sonia Laxton, Gert Thys, Israel Morake, Juan van Deventer and Jan Tau have also won the race and Johnny Halberstadt has a fastest veteran’s win under his belt

According to Vreni Welch, who has been organising the race for the Rand Athletic Club since 1984, no winner of the race has ever entered prior to the final entry weekend – how amazing is that? City Lodge not only sponsors the race, but it also provides a couple of weekends as draw prizes at the finish which is at Old Parktonian Club in Bordeaux. Vreni takes out a R5 coin and gets the competitors to call heads or tails, whittling it down until the final competitor gets the call right.

There’s no doubt that the 2014 RAC City Lodge Tough One is going to be another great road race through the streets of northern Johannesburg. 

Emission reduction equivalent to offset planting of 17,737 trees in one year and 37,412 trees in four years  

JOHANNESBURG September 17, 2014

The City Lodge Hotel Group cut its total greenhouse gas emissions by 16.5% in the year to end June and has slashed its emissions by 28.3% over the past four years as part of its major focus on energy efficiency, sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Significantly, the reduction to 33,044 tonnes of C02 equivalent in the 2014 financial year from 39,589 tonnes in the 2013 financial year is equal to the planting of 17,737 trees as an offset to match the 6,545 tonnes decrease in emissions.

The reduction of 13,805 tonnes of C02 equivalent over the past four years is equal to the planting of 37,412 trees to offset this level of emissions.

Apart from its 51 hotels in South Africa, the group’s two hotels in Nairobi, Kenya, and its hotel in Gaborone, Botswana, are included in the latest carbon footprint statistics listed in the group’s 2014 Integrated Annual Report.

Without doubt the biggest contributor to the decline in the past financial year was the group’s sharp drop in electricity consumption as a result of a group-wide rollout of energy efficient LED lighting and heat pumps. Electricity consumption fell to 30,387 tonnes of C02 equivalent compared to 34,908 tonnes in the previous year.

In addition to electricity, the group also measures water consumption, waste disposal and business travel in its overall carbon footprint and is taking continuous steps to reduce and manage these areas of its operations.

Earlier this year the group received Green Leaf Eco Standard certification for the sustainability measures it has implemented throughout the City Lodge Hotel brand. This certification is based on Responsible Tourism Guidelines including those developed prior to the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2003.   

The group also has its own “City Lodge Earth Day” initiative which focuses on every day being earth day and encouraging guests to use resources sparingly and responsibly. 

“We have paid a lot of attention to reducing our carbon footprint over the past few years and our efforts are now paying off – both for the environment and through cost savings for our hotels,” said Clifford Ross, chief executive of the City Lodge Hotel Group.

“As a responsible and far-sighted group, we will continue to implement measures that reduce the impact of our operations and activities on our planet.

City Lodge Hotel Group