News
2026
Earth Hour Competition Participants Part 1
TextThis Earth Hour, we’d like to recognise and thank our clients who joined the movement and switched off in support of a more sustainable future. Every action may seem small on its own, but together they send a powerful message about awareness, responsibility, and change. Thank you to each participating property featured in Part 1 for being part of The Biggest Hour for Earth.> @southernsunhotels Garden Court OR Tambo, @paradisesun_hotel and @beaconislandresort > @jackalberryridge >@cabanaresortofficial Resort> @citylodge Bryanston & @citylodgehotel_vandawaterfront > @kievitskroon > Mjejane Bush Camp>@premierhotels Richards Bay
Earth Hour Competition Participants Part 2
For Earth Hour, we would like to recognise and thank our clients who switched off in support of a more sustainable future. Collectively, all participating properties saved 5 332 kW.In Part 2, we recognise the following participants:Reddam House Waterfall@southernsunhotels Hyde Park, Newlands, Pretoria, De Wagen and Riverside SunSunsquare Cape Town Gardens@@umhlanga_sands @townlodgeumhlanga Town Lodge Umhlanga Town Lodge OR Tambo International.Pullman Hotels and ResortsThank you to each participating property for being part of The Biggest Hour for Earth.
Earth Hour Competition Top 5
A big congratulations to our Top 5 properties for achieving the highest percentage of energy saved during Earth Hour.Your commitment to switching off in support of a more sustainable future made a real impact.Top 5 by percentage saved:
Jackalberry Ridge – 99%Mjejane Bush Camp – 97% @southernsunhotels De Wagen – 96%Southern Sun Hyde Park – 94%Kievits Kroon Gauteng Wine Estate – 88%These results reflect the percentage of energy saved during the Earth Hour period - and some properties saved nearly half a megawatt, which is an outstanding achievement.Well done to each team for showing that small actions, when done intentionally, can lead to big impacts.
Earth Hour
The ERO Africa team took a moment to pause and celebrate The Biggest Hour for Earth. 
A simple reminder that small, intentional actions - done consistently - make a real impact.
Team Social Spotlight: Archery Day!
Our recent team social had everyone taking aim and stepping into their inner archers! From first-time shooters to surprisingly accurate pros, it was a day filled with laughter, friendly competition, and plenty of memorable moments.
While we may have walked away with a few minor bowstring battle marks 😅, it was all part of the experience—and definitely didn’t take away from the fun!
Moments like these remind us how important it is to connect, unwind, and enjoy time together as a team. Already looking forward to the next adventure!
#TeamSocial #WorkFun #ArcheryChallenge #TeamBuilding #GoodTimes
Welcome to the Team
We’re excited to welcome Mavis Maphoto, our newest Technical Account Manager, to the team! 👏Mavis brings a strong academic foundation, holding a Diploma in Electrical Engineering and recognition as a Certified Energy Auditor. Her professional journey is further supported by certifications in Energy Auditing, ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems, Energy Performance Certificates, HVAC Systems, as well as facilitator, assessor, and Solar PV Greencard training. She is currently advancing her expertise by working towards becoming a Certified Energy Manager (CEM). Known for her strong organizational skills and technical expertise, Mavis has a proven ability to deliver impactful results in dynamic environments. Driven by growth and a desire to make a meaningful impact, she thrives in environments where she can combine technical insight with relationship building. Always exploring innovative approaches, Mavis is passionate about both personal development and creating positive change. The best advice she’s ever received — “Start with what you have” — continues to guide her approach, encouraging initiative, growth, and the pursuit of new opportunities. In her role, she most enjoys bridging the gap between technical solutions and client needs, building strong relationships, and delivering value-driven insights that lead to real, measurable impact. Welcome to the team, Mavis — we’re excited to have you on this journey with us! 🌿
Earth Hour Competition
ERO invites clients to participate in the Earth Hour 2026 Energy-Saving Competition, taking place on Saturday, 28 March 2026 from 20:30–21:30. The initiative encourages properties to reduce electricity consumption during Earth Hour while creating awareness among tenants, guests, staff, and the surrounding community. Participants can also host engagement activities and share their involvement on social media using #MyHourForEarth. The winning property will receive a R1 000 cash prize, with scoring based on energy reduction and awareness initiatives. Full competition details and submission requirements are available under the Competitions tab. 🌍💡
Team Member
Barend van Tonder has been a valued part of the ERO team since 2009. As a qualified electrician, he is responsible for all new and existing meters, as well as meter data management. He plays an important role in supporting his colleagues and ensuring that clients always come first, receiving the high level of service that ERO is known for.
Barend is also closely involved in compiling and contributing to the reports delivered by ERO, a responsibility that has supported both his professional and personal growth over the years. With extensive hands-on experience in energy audits and metering audits, he approaches his work with confidence, precision, and a strong focus on safety and efficiency. He believes that understanding the systems behind the work is just as important as completing the task correctly .
Outside of work, Barend is a proud father to a five-year-old daughter and a devoted husband to a supportive wife. He values quality time with his family and enjoys the outdoors, especially camping, which allows him to relax and create lasting memories with his loved ones. A piece of advice that has guided Barend throughout his career is: “There is never enough time to do something properly the first time, but there is always enough time to do it properly the second time.” This lesson continues to shape his commitment to doing things right from the start.
What Barend enjoys most about his role is the balance it offers — meeting new clients, working in the field, and contributing in the office environment. This variety keeps his work engaging and motivates him to continue growing within the company.
Valentine's Community Clean-up
What a fantastic way to celebrate 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞’𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲 — swapping roses and chocolates for gloves, brooms, and refuse bags! 
We had the absolute pleasure of joining Dream Hotels & Resorts for an inspiring community clean-up — rolling up our sleeves, sharing plenty of laughs, and showing some love to the environment and community.
There’s something truly special about coming together with like-minded people to care for the places we love. From picking up litter to enjoying the fresh air, every small effort added up to a big impact. A huge thank you to everyone who brought such incredible energy — proof that when we work together, positive change happens. Here’s to cleaner spaces, stronger communities, and celebrating love in the most meaningful way! 
February Social
Sometimes it’s not about the size of the catch… but about the time spent together! 
Our team recently enjoyed a relaxing fishing social at Pretoria Country Club — fresh air, great conversations, and plenty of laughs. Although the fish were not particularly cooperative — with one official catch and one accidental crab 
— the real success of the day was the opportunity to connect, unwind, and strengthen team relationships outside of the workplace. A great reminder that team time doesn’t always need to be competitive — sometimes it’s just about connecting outside the office.
Training
🌿 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐭𝐨𝐧 is committed to growing its environmental footprint positively under 𝐄𝐑𝐎’𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 (𝐒𝐄𝐌𝐏). 🌍
As the property continues its sustainability journey, the 𝐒𝐄𝐌𝐏 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, presenting a strong opportunity to build solid foundations going forward. Key focus areas identified include 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐨𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 and broadening involvement across 𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬, an approach that management fully supports to ensure long-term success and shared ownership. 🌿
Congratulations to our Environmental Quiz winners, 𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐫𝐚-𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐍𝐚𝐢𝐝𝐨𝐨 (𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫), for demonstrating outstanding eco knowledge and leadership! 👏
January Social
🏎️ 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭! 🏎️
Our team recently swapped desks for downtime with a well-deserved social! We kicked things off with a delicious brunch (because great conversations start over good food 😄) and then took the fun up a gear with some indoor karting at 𝐊𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐢 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 @ 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚.
From laughs and friendly competition to team bonding outside the office, it was the perfect way to recharge and celebrate the people who make our team so special.
Thank you to everyone who made the day such a success.
Team Member
.✨ Meet the Team: Anicke van der Merwe ✨
Since joining ERO in February 2025, Anicke has become an integral part of our administrative team. With her BCom in Business Management from the University of Pretoria and a Culinary Arts diploma, she brings a rare blend of sharp business insight and creative flair to everything she does.
As a proud mom of two, Anicke finds her greatest joy in spending time with her family and friends — especially when it involves the great outdoors. Whether it’s a relaxed weekend adventure or quality time in nature, she embraces it wholeheartedly.
One of the best pieces of advice she’s ever received — and one she lives by — is:
“The past offers lessons, not residence. Growth comes from learning and choosing to improve each day.”
Working half-day at ERO gives Anicke the balance she values most. She loves the family-oriented culture, the variety in her role, and the opportunity to grow both professionally and personally — while also managing her small bakery business, combining her culinary skills with an entrepreneurial spirit. 🍰✨
We’re so grateful to have Anicke as part of the ERO family! 