'Greening' a Girls School in South Africa

On Friday, 16 November 2012, ninety previously unemployed young women from across southern Africa graduated at the SA College for Tourism (SACT) in Graaff-Reinet. The women graduated with a Certificate in Small Hospitality Establishment Operations conferred by the School of Tourism, Hospitality &Sport of the Central University of Technology, and with four national skills development certificates in hospitality services awarded by the Culture, Arts,Tourism, Hospitality & Sport Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA).

The certificates were handed to the graduates by Ms Anele Mdoda well-known South African television and radio personality and author. In her keynote address Ms Mdoda encouraged the graduates to work hard at their own success which no one could guarantee but themselves. In congratulating them on a 100% pass rate, Ms Mdoda said that judging by the success in which they have managed their first step into the tourism industry, she was convinced that all faced a bright future.

Exciting news for the top two hospitality graduates was an all-expenses paid work experience of four months to a
guesthouse in Portofino, Italy on the Mediterranean Sea, in 2013.

The top culinary art student received the Thornybush Collections trophy with a prize of R5 000 and a six months internship with the Thornybush Collections Executive Chef.

The day’s proceedings were brought to a close by Ms Jo-Ann Strauss, business woman and TV personality, who wished the graduates well on their journey.

Graduation crowned a successful year at the College during which it was recognized for its work by the likes of BHP Billiton who awarded the College an Achievers Award for the Best Tourism Training Programme in South Africa, and by the Mail & Guardian who bestowed on the College the Investing in the Future Education Award.

There was much nervous excitement and a tangible sense of anticipation as the ninety hospitality students of the Class of 2012 sat for their mid-year practical and theory exams.  The 100% success rate achieved just weeks earlier during the external moderation had everyone feeling optimistic, including the two students from the Chemucane
region of Mozambique, who would only sit the practical exams as their English is not strong enough to write the theory exams. They were accepted for training by the College in April as part of a pilot training project that will assist the impoverished Chemucane Community members to improve their livelihoods and standard of living via eco-tourism development.

Again a few weeks later, students’ faces mirrored the same anxious excitement, this time as they eagerly awaited the release of their achievements and results. There were cheers of exhilaration and audible relief as a class average of 67% was announced, and a resounding roar of applause and ululating for one learner scoring above 80% on aggregate, and further celebrating for the twenty four with above 70%, thirty three with above 60%, and the rest with above 50%. Only four learners did not manage to pass all four core training modules and the required generic subjects. These mid-year exams are often a first-time experience for these students, and by the end of the
year, with a bit more work and experience behind them, they too should enjoy success!

Thank you! It is your generous funding that helps make this life changing training available to these enthusiastic and appreciative students.

'Busi's Guest House'. Those were the words on everyone's lips as the story of a previous graduate's success spread through the hallways of the College like wildfire. And what good timing! With mid-year examinations looming, the news of Sibusiswe Chamanga, a graduate of the College, having realised her dream, inspired the students to give it their all.

Busi, the single mother of a four year old girl, arrived at the College in 2006, and completed the syllabus with energy and enthusiasm. Following her graduation, she returned to her home country of Zimbabwe. Armed with her new skills, she worked for six years in various national game parks, until earlier this year, thirty year old Busi obtained a loan and opened her own guest house. Congratulations, Busi, we are so glad to have been a part of your magnificent story.

2012 is shaping up to be another fantastic year at the SA College for Tourism. The current students have already catered for 5 large functions, one of which has been heralded by a local newspaper as the best function held in the town of Graaff-Reinet in half a century, comparing it to a town centenary celebration in 1976.

We are confident that the year will continue in the same style, and as always, we have each of you to thank for it. It is your kind contributions which makes it all possible.

2011 marked three major milestones for the SA College for Tourism (SACT). As well as being formally recognised as an Institute of Excellence by the South African education and training authorities, we celebrated our tenth anniversary and achieved our first ever 100% pass rate. We couldn’t be more proud of the Class of 2011!

An inspiring graduation ceremony on 18 November, we bid farewell to the 89 young women who came to the College from 8 different countries across the sub-continent. Special tribute was paid to Dr Anton Rupert and Mrs Huberte Rupert, whose shared  dream of establishing the College as a stepping stone to a brighter future for the marginalized youth of rural South and southern Africa, made the day possible.

The festivities continued a week later with a reunion of past students of SACT. Eighty seven women gathered on campus for a weekend of fun, cultural activities with good food (prepared and served by twelve of the 2011 graduates who stayed on to assist), good wine, and hours of reminiscing.

We are also very proud to announce that at least 73% of our graduates for the years 2001 to 2010 are gainfully employed, while seven are successfully operating their own small businesses, bravo ladies!

As we gear up for an exciting 2012, we stop to thank our donors and ‘Adopt a Student’ sponsors; you have helped to keep this dream alive and have become a part of the SA College for Tourism family. Our most sincere thanks go to each of you and we look forward to sharing our continued successes with you.

Excitement and anxiety fills the air as the SA College for Tourism (SACT) enters its final quarter for 2011.  Students are preparing for their final examinations and discussing their plans, hopes and dreams for the future. This is always a memorable time of year, both for the students who are eager to test out their new skills in the hospitality world, as well as the trainers, preparing themselves for that day when they must say goodbye to the students who have become such an integral part of their lives.

This is also the time of year when SACT’s previous graduates are reminiscing about their time at the College, and we always receive letters updating us on their progress and sending inspirational words to the current students. Here is a letter we recently received from one of our previous graduates; Anica:

Where to start!? The easiest is to start at the beginning, where I know so many of you have been and where many will still be.

SACT is one of the best opportunities and starting blocks anyone can wish for, with the best lecturers and support systems.  They give you all the tools to be a big success; you only need to put in effort and passion.

My journey started with SACT in 2007, after deciding to study tourism.  During that year I made great friends, learned (a lot) about different cultures, and as a group of girls only, had tons of fun.  SACT is not just a learning experience, it is a growing experience. 

During my year the announcement was made that Mrs Pudel is sponsoring a trip to Portofino, Italy to work in her Villa, which is rented out to international guests, for the best student.  What a great incentive to all of us there!  The pressure was on, and everyone was competing for the top spot.  With a lot of hard work and quite strong competition, I was awarded as the Best Student at the end of 2007.  What an honor! 

After this great opportunity working and travelling around Italy for a couple of months, I found that with the tourism industry being as big and vast as it is, I was more drawn to working with guests rather than cooking up a storm in the kitchen.

I got contacted by the GM at the time, from Samara Private Game Reserve, who have heard via the grapevine of some of SACT’s students.  I was offered the position as a Relief Manager.  After a couple of months I knew I have founded my niche,  I was offered a position as an Assistant Manager, and after about a year of hard work & long hours, Lodge Manager.

I am now working as a General Manager, for a lodge in the Waterberg, Nedile Lodge.  I love every minute of it, as I never go to work, I merely live out my passion.

SACT is one of the best stepping stones you can get into the industry – it covers all the aspects and more.  I am currently studying marketing part time as well, and was quite pleasantly surprised when I started off and notice how I already know some of the basics from when I studied.

You can go absolutely anywhere with your qualifications, the only limits are the ones you set for yourself.

-Anica

2011 marks SACT’s 10^th anniversary as a center of training excellence. To date, 523 students have successfully graduated, all thanks to donor funding. The SA College for Tourism would like to take this opportunity to thank each of you for your support. Without you, Anica would not be where she is now, and 88 young women from poor families would not be excitedly discussing their future plans within the hospitality industry as they prepare for their final examinations.

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