Training & jobs for 90 unskilled African women

On 18 January, 90 young women from across Southern Africa reported for orientation at the College in  Graaff-Reinet.

By the time formal training commenced on 1 February, they had been joined by two Zimbabwe students who were delayed due to visa problems. In addition, the College is hosting for the first time a physically disabled learner.

During orientation the local hospice held an HIV/Aids and TB seminar. The local branch manager from ABSA bank presented a personal finance seminar guiding students on better banking options. Capitec and First National Bank also participated

Formal training commenced on 1 February.

Hospitality students hosted two large functions during February namely a wedding reception on 20 February for 160 pax and a seminar/evening functionfor the Wildlife Ranching Association of SA and their 100 guests. During March the students catered to 160 guests at an 80th birthday function and to a further 60 wedding guests.

Update on previous graduates:

• Twenty two members of the graduate class of 2015 commenced their learnership year at Drostdy Hotel towards the end of January. They were joined by 10 interns.
• Learnership and internship workplace orientation with Drostdy Hotel staff was held between 11 – 15 January and the handover was completed between the 2014  SACT learner- and internship group and the new group (2105 graduates) on 15 January. This was followed by learnership and internship orientation with the 2016 group.
• A farewell luncheon for the 2015 learnership and internship group (2014 SACT graduates) who successfully completed their year-long learnership and workplace experience (internships)  at Drostdy was held at the hotel on 14 January. All but two of the group has been placed in permanent jobs.
• Faith, the 2014 top student, who is currently employed by Drostdy Hotel where she completed her learnership year in January and will be heading to Italy in June for a three month work experience visit to Portofino, Italy, as part of her top student prize, held a motivational talk for the Class of 2016 in early February. Faith created great interest in the Drostdy Hotel Learnership Project among her audience members.

SACT would like thank all its long standing donors for their continued support. Without your encouragement and generosity, the College would not be able to afford these young women, this life changing opportunity.

SA College for Tourism ended its Crystal Anniversary Year on a high note on Friday morning, 20^th November, when it celebrated the graduation of 89 young women from rural southern Africa with national certificates in hospitality services. The celebrations kicked off the night before with a dinner hosted by Mrs Gaynor Rupert, Chairperson of the college company for her guests who were addressed by His Excellency Marcus Cornaro the Head of the European Union Delegation to South Africa.  Ambassador Cornaro attended the graduation celebrations with Mrs Cornaro and the  Deputy Head of his delegation, Ms  Sofia Moreira de Sousa.  

Guests were welcomed to the graduation ceremony by Mrs Gaynor Rupert, Chairperson of the college company. Congratulating Team SACT on achieving this milestone, Mrs Rupert paid tribute to the donors, supporters and friends of the college and thanked them for making it possible for the college to go from strength to strength year after year.

Ms Minnie Dlamini, one of South Africa’s most up and coming TV personalities and who is said to have the largest Twitter and Facebook following among young people in the country, delivered the keynote address. Minnie congratulated the young women and men on having taken the risk to come to the college to study and to better their lives. This she said boded well for success in future.

Mrs Anu Saxen, Deputy Head of Mission of Finland which has been supporting SA College for Tourism for half a decade, brought the day’s proceedings to an end with her closing remarks, encouraging fellow donors and supporters to continue to support the college and wishing the graduates the very best in their future endeavours.

A special touch to the celebrations was a personal message to all involved with SA College for Tourism and to this year’s graduates from HRH Prince Irene of the Netherlands.

SA COLLEGE FOR TOURISM THANKS ALL ITS DONORS, SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS FOR THEIR MAGNIFICENT SUPPORT OF THE COLLEGE DURING THE 2015 TRAINING YEAR.

WE ARE GRATEFUL AND HAPPY TO SHARE OUR SUCCESSES WITH YOU!

WISHING YOU EVERYTHING OF THE VERY BEST FOR 2016