Rooted in Purpose: How Roche Kicked Off 2025 in the Heart of the Drakensberg

In the heart of the Berg, a bold step back—towards purpose, unity, and shared rhythm.

In February 2025, The Source Solutions had the privilege of crafting a truly meaningful experience for Roche as they launched into their new year with a theme that resonated deeply: “Back to Our Roots.” 

Over four unforgettable days at the iconic Champagne Sports Resort, 120 delegates gathered not just to strategise, but to reconnect—with their mission, with each other, and with the cultural roots that underpin collaboration and leadership.

🛬 Arrival & Atmosphere: A Mountain Welcome

From the moment delegates arrived, the setting did half the storytelling. Nestled in the awe-inspiring Drakensberg mountains, Champagne Sports Resort was more than a venue—it became a character in the experience. The resort’s seamless service, breathtaking backdrop, and adaptability (especially when the weather threw a few curveballs) made it a standout partner. Credit where it’s due—Champagne, you were exceptional.

The welcome dinner was planned as a laid-back, al fresco South African braai, but when Berg clouds rolled in, we moved the festivities indoors without losing an ounce of warmth. Lit fires, grilled meats, and laughter created the perfect atmosphere to kick things off with heart.

🎤 The Core: Conference Meets Culture

The business sessions were robust and purposeful, with Roche leadership laying down the blueprint for a high-impact 2025. But this kick-off wasn’t built to live only in PowerPoint slides—it was intentionally designed to ignite hearts as well as strategies.

With a focus on grounding their vision in heritage and authenticity, Roche’s theme, Back to Our Roots, wasn’t a tagline. It was a call to action. It asked:

What drives us? What connects us beyond job titles and metrics?

🥁 Team Building: Beat by Beat, Back Together

Enter Drum Café, one of South Africa’s most celebrated cultural facilitators. Through rhythm and collective drumming, delegates were reminded of the power of listening, syncing, and showing up for each other in perfect unison. As drumbeats echoed through the Berg, something deeper happened—teams became tribes, and individuals tapped into the joy of shared energy.

It was more than team-building. It was rhythm as metaphor, rhythm as unity, rhythm as memory.

🍲 Dining With Soul: From Braais to Food Markets

Each evening brought its own flavour—literally and figuratively.

• The braai night, though indoors, carried all the energy of a sunset gathering around the fire.

• The market-style dinner featured food stalls offering global tastes—intended to be outside but effortlessly adapted to an indoor setup when the rain returned.

• The final night’s themed dinner was a celebration: a blend of elegance and expression that culminated in a dance floor full of joy, thanks to the infectious sounds of QD Hutch.

  
  

These weren’t just meals. They were curated moments—where delegates broke bread, shared stories, and remembered that the most lasting connections are made around the table.

🧭 The Impact: More Than a Kick-Off

When an event strikes the right chord, you feel it. The conversations go deeper. The energy lingers long after the closing slide. That’s what happened at Roche’s Kick-Off.

Rooted in cultural resonance. Wrapped in natural beauty. Fuelled by a team that understands the rhythm of exceptional events.

At The Source Solutions, we don’t just plan events. We build experiences that speak to purpose, people, and place.