Newsletter August 2017
Newsletter August 2017
It is incredible that we are now entering the fourth and the last quarter of the year already. Undoubtedly 2017 is proving to be one of the busiest years for us as a company. As a Group we continue to forge into new territories and we are well on our way to creating a solid footprint nationally and regionally. Our new acquisitions in the form of Boss gaming and Crazy slots attest to the achievement of our growth and expansion as the Goldrush brand. This year we undertook to open several properties as part of our business expansion strategy. We successfully opened bingo in Morula, Ballito, Vaal and Maseru Casino in Lesotho. Development project plans are underway to open BelaBela and Bushbuckridge Bingo sites respectively. G-Bets, our sports betting segment, also continues to grow with a total of 34 retail sites that were opened. This rapid expansion of our company requires our team to be exible and adapt to change in order to take the company in the right direction. We have a duty to our customers to deliver and exceed their expectations. Customers need to be at the heart of everything we do and we achieve that by making excellent customer service a key priority. This is our ďŹ rst newsletter issue this year and we hope that it will be insightful, constructive and add value to all our readers.
Mergan Naidoo
Finally, thank you to the entire Goldrush team for all your commitment and dedication in building one of the most respected gaming companies in the country.
Goldrush Group CEO
CEO VIP DINNER It was a night of glitz and glamour as Goldrush stakeholders and management forgot about their demanding jobs and put their best foot forward in black tie apparel at a Gala dinner held on the 12th of July in Morula. The objective was to welcome the newly acquired Boss Gaming and Crazy Slots business entities. Guests were entertained with live music and comedy by Riaan Moosa until midnight. Accommodation was provided for the night at the Goldrush Morula Hotel.
From Left to Right: Gbets Team: Thuli Mokoloko, Kgothatso Mashile, Loven Pillay, Komla Perumal, Nilan Muthen (Operations Manager), Alethea Daniels.
From Left to Right: Glenn Waner (Investec), Michael Nurick (Goldrush Group CFO), Zukiswa Tyesi and Laverne Chetty (Investec)
From left to right: David Winter(founder of Boss Gaming )and Mr Ray Hipkin(Goldrush Founder and Non- Executive Director).
WOMEN ON TOP OF THEIR GAME A true powerhouse is what Sundri Padayachee represents. Having served in the gaming industry for 18 years, Sundri Padayachee popularly known as Mrs Naidoo; has achieved what most have been unable to achieve. She is the epitome of tenacious, hardworking with a very strong work ethic. Naidoo admits that getting to where she is today was through sheer determination, willingness to learn and a passion for what she does.
Sundri Padayachee
She is one of the few women who have made a success in the male dominated gambling industry: and is also well recognised for her association with various community based organisations. Mrs Naidoo has been instrumental in the construction of a physically challenged home in Limpopo, an ablution block in North West School and is currently working on development of ablutions for a Crèche in KZN. She is also the chairperson and a trustee for the Greenwood Park Education and cultural trust.
In 2006 she joined the Viva Bingo Group as a Director and is currently the Managing Director for the Group Route Slot operations. She was instrumental in obtaining gaming licences in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, North West, Limpopo, Northern Cape, Lesotho, Free-state and Tanzania. 50% of the management team are women with similar goals. Believing in grooming future leaders, she has successfully mentored many of the General managers that run the various LPM offices across South Africa. Managing Director (Limited Pay-Out Machines)
Focus, persistence, education and Zero tolerance for mediocrity is what drives Chio and sets her apart from the rest. Chio comes from a family that values good education and she credits her access to education to her single mother; who worked hard to ensure her children became something in life. This journey has not always been easy as sadly her mother passed away, which left her with the responsibility of looking after her younger siblings. Broke, unemployed but equipped with a Law Degree, Chio was determined to get out of the situation. She applied for various positions and was then employed as a tax consultant at RSM South Africa. A human resource manager at that firm told her “You can choose to work hard, elevate yourself from where you are or you can continue to be lazy and disappear under the radar”. Those words resonated with her and strengthened her resolve even more to succeed in life.
Chio Sakutukwa
Joining Goldrush in 2015 as group company secretary has played a pivotal role for her career as she has grown from strength to strength. Not only is she a company secretary but she is also the Head of legal for Goldrush. Chio believes there is no such thing as too much education, hence she is studying towards a Masters Degree in Corporate law. Though she believes you learn from every one you encounter if you keep an open mind, however she attributes her success to Mergan Naidoo’s (Goldrush CEO) mentorship and guidance.
Group Company Secretary
When you say dynamite comes in small packages, you are not far from describing Rivasha Hurrisunker. Passionate, hardworking and feisty. She has seen the company grow from 10 staff members to 2000 staff members. Tiny in stature but commands authority and respect everywhere she sets foot. She is a treasury and audit manager for the Goldrush Group. Her mantra every day when she wakes up is, “What will I learn today”. Rivasha’s work experience dates back to 2006 when she assisted Sundri Padayachee with the KZN Gambling Board-Bingo license bid applications. She was sent to Gauteng to obtain bingo training in the then Viva Bingo Kolonnade branch, with the guidance of Mr Allan Scott. She trained in all departments concerning operations, from Customer Service to Treasurer and then became trainee Duty Manager.
Rivasha Hurrisunker
In 2008, when Mr Percy Shabalala was appointed Bingo Operations Director, he tasked Rivasha with the role of writing internal control procedures for the various bingo branches. This gave her the invaluable knowledge of bingo operations, as she needed to understand all departments, operations including operating systems and Gambling Board regulations to complete my first official task as the Treasury & Compliance officer.
Group Treasury and Audit Manager
“A definition of success for her is when you look in the mirror and feel a sense of pride of who you are and what you have achieved in life.” A true success story, coming from humble beginnings, Phumza is a testament that if you want something bad enough and are willing to put in the hard work and dedication, nothing can stand in your way. Her current position as a General Manager for the Graaf Reinet Bingo branch in the Eastern Cape; a position she has held for the past two years. She joined the company in 2010 as a cleaner and worked her way up to being a supervisor, duty manager and then became a General Manager.
Phumza Alleni Graaf Reinet - Bingo GM
Motivating, inspiring fellow colleagues, leading, and producing future managers is her definition of what success is. Although it has not been easy, she is passionate about the industry and sees a lot of opportunities for growth. Her advice to the younger generation is that they must stand their ground, be willing to go the extra mile and have a teachable mind set.
67 MINUTES OF PHILANTROPHY 18 July is celebrated in the world calendar as Mandela Day, an opportunity for each individual to spend 67 minutes to give back to a charity of their choice or simply do something of value for the community. A team of 12 staff members from various departments heeded the call and represented Goldrush on that day. They took the initiative to revamp the Tumelo home and Hospice in Mabopane as part of honouring the day as well as part of Goldrush’s CSI contribution. The team comprising of Gbets, Creditors, New Business Development , Human Resources and other Morula staff; worked hand in hand to make sure they planted a fresh lawn, laid out cobble stones, new concrete furniture was brought in and new branded umbrellas donated The pensioners were treated to cultural dancers as part of entertainment for the day and were carried outside and served lunch. The home looked improved, cleaner, more welcoming and the staff left a very good impression about what the Goldrush brand represents.
Before
After
GOLDRUSH TRAIL BLAZES THE MOUNTAIN KINGDOM Goldrush Lesotho successfully opened its doors at a soft opening event on the 22 July 2017. A formal event attended by the cream of the crop in Lesotho. Over a 100 people brazed the cold and joined the event: this included shareholders, government ministers and representatives from the various media houses. The Managing Director of Bingo and Casino Operations, Katleho Thejane did the welcome speech and introduced Goldrush to the guests. One of the shareholders from Lesotho also had an opportunity to address the guests and introduce the brand. The guests were treated to finger foods, drinks and live entertainment.
From right: Amogelang Bonokwane Head of Operations Lesotho, Itumeleng Khubetsoana GM, Duty managers Lisebo Leu and Motau Hlopho
Crowds braved the cold to attend the event.
Finance Minister of Lesotho: Hon Dr Moeketsi Majoro taking the platform.
WATHINTA ABAFAZI WATHINTA IMBOKODO (YOU STRIKE A WOMAN, YOU STRIKE A ROCK) The Goldrush Morula branch hosted a successful women’s day event on the 12th of August. Beautiful, Outstanding, Leading and Determined (B.O.L.D) women’s dialogue event had over 100 guests in attendance. The main aim of the dialogue was to celebrate women an indelible contribution to society through entrepreneurial, corporate, media, arts and cultural spheres. The main speaker was the renowned Criselda Kananda. Goldrush took the initiative to address topics relating to women’s leadership roles which in turn would also add value in increasing brand awareness for the group. The panellists featured a diverse group of women of all age groups hence the views expressed were relevant to our audience. Clad in colourful vibrant outfits, the women honored the theme and had the time of their lives. The crowd was entertained by cultural dancers, DJ’s and poets. The event ended on a high note with the guests winning spa vouchers to redeem for the month of August.
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GOLDRUSH NEWS GOLDRUSH LOYALTY PROGRAMME LAUNCHES Our customers remain a key priority in our business; as a way to reward our valued customers we have launched the Goldrush Loyalty programme. This in order to recognise and reward our customers based on their spending; and also thank them for supporting our business. Current participating branches are as follows: •Mall@Reds •Atterbury •Kolonnade •Cresta •Morula •Vaal
LOYALTY PROGRAMME
More branches to follow in the course of the year. For more information regarding benefits of the programme visit : www.goldrushbingo.co.za/loyalty-programme
WELCOME TO THE GOLDRUSH FAMILY!
Dhrupal Amin Managing Director Online Gaming
Please join us in welcoming Mr Druphal Amin who has been appointed to the position of Managing Director of Online Gaming at The Goldrush Group effective 1 July 2017. He is a qualified Chartered accountant who completed his articles with PwC in Johannesburg. His early career saw Dhrupal involved in Sales and Marketing within Guardrisk Insurance Company. In 2006 Dhrupal joined Tsogo Sun as the head of risk for gaming operations, during which time he successfully reduced operations risk and created the Tsogo Sun Insurance company. In 2008, he created the commercial division within the Tsogo Sun Group. During his tenure as Tsogo Sun Dhrupal oversaw the Groups entertainment and restaurant business unit contributing in access of R1.3 billion in annual revenues. He is extremely passionate about the gaming industry and its ability to be meaningful contributor to both job creation and economic growth. Lets us wish him well in his new venture with Goldrush!
WE ARE GROWING! BINGO
Bushbuckridge - Opening Date 8 September 2017 Bela Bela - Opening Date: 22 September 2017 Coming soon : Groblersdal and Phalaborwa
G-BETS
NW: Phokeng, Wolmaranstad, Mafikeng KZN: Newcastle- Madadeni EC (inside Bingo): Cradock, Graaf Reniet, Grahamstown. | Bizana, Flagstatt, Idutywa, Mthatha (actual branches) Boss Gaming- KZN: Stanger, West Street, Mtubatuba | EC: Uitenhage, Bizana, Mthatha Golden Sun: Umlazi, Margate, Ngoma, Nquthu WC: Somerset West
MOST IMPORTANTLY…WE LEAVE YOU WITH A GAG… WHAT IS POINTLESS? ‘TO TELL A BALD GUY A HAIR-RAISING STORY.’
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G-Bets supports responsible Gambling. No persons under the age of 18 are permitted to gamble. Winners know when to stop. National Responsible Gambling Toll Free Number Helpline 0800 006 008.