aha Cares
We give back to the community through the various social responsibility programmes run through our head office and our properties.
67-Minutes with Ladles of love
In celebration of Mandela Day 2025, AHA proudly partnered with Ladles of Love to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young children. Held at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit on 18 July, the outreach brought teams together to roll up their sleeves and give back in the spirit of Nelson Mandela.
Through 67 minutes of dedicated service, the initiative focused on supporting early childhood development and education—turning small acts of kindness into lasting change for the next generation.
Empowering Futures Through Wellness
In the heart of the Kruger region, where conservation, culture and community intersect, a powerful story of transformation is unfolding. The Nkambeni Safari Spa Community Project is more than the establishment of a wellness facility – it is a long-term investment in people, purpose and possibility.
Through a partnership between Nkambeni Safari Camp, Tourvest, aha Hotels & Lodges and Amani Spa & Wellness, a sustainable spa business has been created with a deeply rooted social mission: to empower unemployed women from the Nkambeni community with skills, confidence and meaningful employment.
From Opportunity to Impact
When Nkambeni Safari Camp announced the launch of its new spa and accompanying learnership programme, the response from the surrounding community was overwhelming. A remarkable 722 applications were received, reflecting both the demand for opportunity and the hope it inspired. From these, 31 women were shortlisted for interviews, and ultimately eight learners were selected to embark on a six-week intensive Training and Development Programme.
These women came from diverse backgrounds – former salon workers, informal traders, recent matriculants and women who had been unemployed for years. What they shared was resilience, ambition and a desire to build a better future.
Building Skills, Confidence and Careers
Delivered by Amani Spa & Wellness, the customised training programme combines technical spa skills with essential soft skills such as professional conduct, communication, self-awareness and confidence-building. Learners are introduced to massage therapy, manicures and pedicures, operational standards and real-world spa practices, ensuring they are fully prepared for a professional working environment.
Following the training phase, learners continue their journey through a four-month in-spa case study period at the newly established Nkambeni Safari Spa, gaining hands-on experience while contributing to the spa’s operations. Upon successful assessment, participants receive Certificates of Competence, opening the door to long-term employment and career progression.
The outcomes speak volumes: eight qualified massage therapists, six full-time positions created at Nkambeni Safari Camp, and two therapists appointed in freelance and relief roles.
A Ripple Effect Beyond the Spa
The Nkambeni Safari Spa Community Project is a powerful example of how tourism can drive meaningful socio-economic change. By equipping women with skills, confidence and stable employment, the initiative creates a ripple effect that extends beyond the spa – strengthening families, inspiring future generations and contributing to the growth of the local economy.
As the spa doors open to guests seeking relaxation and wellness, they also open new chapters in the lives of the women who now stand proudly as qualified professionals. This is empowerment in action – where education meets opportunity, and where community truly prospers.
Sustainability remains a cornerstone of aha Hotels & Lodges’ mission to positively impact our environment, communities, and stakeholders. This report outlines several key initiatives that reflect our commitment to sustainability, community development, and empowerment across our properties.
Heritage Competition Support
Partner: Amazizi High School
As part of our ongoing Corporate Social Investment (CSI) efforts, we funded the transport costs for Emazizi High School to participate in a National Heritage Day Performance Competition. Beyond the competition, these talented students showcased their performances at Alpine Heath during our Heritage Day weekend celebrations, bringing culture and history to life for our guests.
Alpine Heath Resort
Toughest Firefighter Competition
Partner: Knysna Fire Department
The Rex Hotel proudly supported the inaugural Toughest Firefighter Competition, aimed at raising fire safety awareness among local Grade 7 students. The event provided participants with hands-on learning in teamwork, resilience, and emergency preparedness.
The Rex Hotel
Nkuzi High School Support
In October 2024, Nkambeni Safari Camp donated groceries worth R7,500 to Nkuzi High School. This initiative supported Grade 12 learners who were camping at the school to prepare for their final exams.
Nkambeni Safari Camp
BASADI REYAPELE PROJECT
Background: The Basadi Reyapele project empowers four women from Diepsloot who have faced challenges in finding employment. Originally employed by “I Love Diepsloot,” these women transitioned to forming their own business when the organization closed.
aha Hotels & Lodges / Tourvest
aha Lesedi Beading Ladies
The beautiful South African beaded jewellery that’s often sold to tourists as gifts is steeped in tradition and has deep cultural significance. Many of the South African indigenous ethnic groups such as amaZulu, amaXhosa, baSotho, baTswana, baVenda and amaNdebele have their own distinctive beads and beadwork, each signifying different cultural importance.
In recent years, bead art in South Africa has developed into a major eco-tourism offering where women with beading skills create artefacts and jewellery based on traditional techniques and imagery. The beadworks also serves as an important source of income for the women in the various ethnic groups and the skills have been handed down from generation to generation.
The Khayelitsha Cookies Project
Creating opportunity one bite at a time is their motto and that’s exactly what The Khayelitsha Cookies project does. It began as a small-scale project in 2004, teaching a group of unskilled and unemployed ladies in the Khayelitsha community in Cape Town to bake in order to sustain a livelihood. The organization has faced some tough times since its establishment and imminent closure in 2013 due to increased losses. That’s when current Managing Director, Adri Williams stepped in, oblivious however to the fact that she would be inheriting an establishment with a debt totalling R2.5 million.
With a resolute mission to turn things around and a determination that she describes as “God’s calling”, Adri with Eunice Nyobole right by her side along with a dedicated team of ladies working diligently, rolled up their sleeves and got to work.
aha Thakadu River Camp
aha Thakadu River Camp is a wholly owned community-based Tented Safari Camp within Madikwe Game Reserve. The community has a 45-year lease to operate a commercial lodge with traversing rights across the reserve.
The concept is unique in South Africa in that the community owns the development, with substantial benefits accruing back to the community itself.
aha Makalali Private Game Lodge
aha Makalali Private Game Lodge supports the DAKTARI Wildlife Orphanage that educates and inspires underprivileged children to care for their environment.
Mandela Day 2016: aha Staff spent the day with children of the Thuthuzela Community Centre located in Marlboro Gardens. This establishment looks after abused, abandoned and neglected children from the local community.
aha Hotels & Lodges adopted a classroom at the centre and with the help of the creative staff, painted a mural and furnished the centre with a wealth of educational items. The kids had fun dancing and singing and were very excited to see their new refurbished classroom.
Believe you can and you’re halfway there.
Theodore Roosevelt
