At Ilala Lodge Hotel, giving back to our community is an integral part of what we stand for. As part of the Palm Hospitality Group’s (PHG) broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, our recent partnership with Ndlovu Secondary School stands as a proud example of how sustainable development can change lives.
Let’s take a closer look…
A Community In Need
Our partnership with Ndlovu Secondary School began in August 2024 with one clear goal: To help the school recover from major storm damage and become safe to reopen. The previous year, strong winds and heavy rains had torn off large sections of the roof, leaving the school in disrepair. During our visit, it quickly became clear that the most urgent needs were access to clean water and proper sanitation facilities.
To ensure the success of the initiative, we partnered with Corinthians, a local NGO focused on sports development and youth upliftment. We also engaged closely with the local leadership, including the Chief, headman, councillor, and school development committee, securing community support every step of the way.
Water: A Basic Right, A First Priority
Our first mission was clear: Restore access to clean water.
The school’s solar-powered borehole had long been out of commission, and both teachers and learners were relying on pit latrines due to non-functional water systems and a damaged soakaway. Even the children’s toilet block was roofless, exposing them further to unhygienic conditions.
In January 2025, our dedicated PHG maintenance team got to work. The worn-out 200-metre cable was replaced, the solar borehole system rehabilitated, and the solar panels were serviced – restoring water access not only to the school, but also to the teachers’ cottages and the wider community.
Recognising that sustainable water access also requires adequate storage, we installed four 2 500-litre water tanks and constructed a tank stand for a 5 000-litre reservoir.
With a total storage capacity of 15 000 litres, Ndlovu Secondary School is now better equipped to expand its agricultural projects and maintain good hygiene practices.
Beyond water and sanitation, our team also turned attention to the school’s administration block, which had suffered major damage during the same storm. With the help of a local construction company, some classrooms had already been re-roofed. We stepped in to repair leaking ceilings, repaint the offices, reception area, and computer room, and give the entire block a much-needed facelift.
What was once a tired-looking space plagued by water damage now looks fresh, clean, and welcoming!
Celebrating Progress
In a heartwarming handover ceremony, eight members from PHG (made up of both Ilala Lodge and Palm River Hotel) and three representatives from Corinthians travelled to Ndlovu to officially mark the completion of the project’s first phase. Our Human Resources Manager, Phillip, led the team, and we were honoured by the presence of local leaders, including the councillor, headman, and representatives from the school development committee, National Parks, and Breeze FM.
The event was a celebration in every sense. In a generous and unexpected gesture, the councillor donated a cow to feed everyone in attendance. Watching the children enjoy a hearty meal of sadza, rice, meat, and cold drinks reminded us why we do this work: Real change creates real joy!
World Environment Day Schools Debate
On the same day as the handover celebration, Ndlovu Secondary School also hosted the 2025 World Environment Day Schools Debate, proudly sponsored by Palm Hospitality Group. Eight schools participated (three rural and five urban) with the theme “Ending Plastic Pollution.” The day began with a community clean-up, followed by the debate, which focused on wetland conservation and other Sustainable Development Goals. Urban schools showed strong performances, highlighting the need for better resources in rural areas like Ndlovu. It was a powerful day of awareness, learning, and community connection.
Watch a clip of this happy day here.
Our Broader Mission
As we reflect on this journey, we’re reminded of the power of partnership, perseverance, and purpose. We remain deeply committed to providing meaningful differences within our local community of Victoria Falls. At Ilala Lodge Hotel, we believe that hospitality goes beyond comfort and service; it’s also about compassion. We are proud to be part of a hospitality group that sees community development not as a side project, but as a responsibility.
The project has been completed through the Palm Hospitality Group Foundation, which is supported by the dedication of our hospitality teams at Ilala and Palm River Hotel, alongside the generous donations made by guests visiting our establishments. We are grateful for their ongoing support and are proud to share with the world, the tangible differences we are actively involved in. For more details on our other Foundation efforts, please view our recent endeavours here.
