Absa supports SA College for Tourism

Absa partners with Toursim College in Graaff-Reinet to empower young women

Students hailing from Idutywa, Coffee Bay, Mthatha and Port Elizabeth share their excitement of receiving bursaries from Absa to complete their studies at the South African College for Tourism (SACT) in Graaff-Reinet. With them are (back row) Andre Kilian
Absa and the South African College for Tourism (SACT) in Graaff-Reinet have formed a partnership that will see the training of 90 unemployed, previously disadvantaged women in hospitality services as well as in conservation.

Targeting people from rural areas from the Eastern Cape and Southern African countries it seeks to empower women by way of skills transfer in the tourism and hospitality sector.

The SACT training programme comprises skills development training and continuous assessment in four operational spheres of hospitality. These include accommodation services/housekeeping, culinary art/professional cookery, front of house/hospitality reception and food and beverage services. Training is also provided in generic subjects such as entrepreneurship, occupational safety, occupational health and hygiene, information technology, verbal communication, HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention.

Venete Klein, Absa Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer, said: “As we approach August month celebrating women in South Africa, Absa is pleased that this partnership with the South African College for Tourism will be focusing on the development of young women from the Eastern Cape and surrounding Southern African countries who will be able contribute to the tourism industry in a meaningful way once empowered with the necessary skills and confidence.

“The investment of R500 000 by Absa to the college will make the dreams of more young women come true. This monetary contribution to the college’s training programme will change not only the lives of the young women from the Eastern Cape, but also the lives of their families,” says Andre Kilian, Executive Director of the SA College for Tourism.

The SACT training program presents 70% practical and 30% theory training. It focuses specifically on small accommodation establishments such as guest houses, lodges, B&Bs. It enjoys formal accreditation with the South African Hospitality Sectoral Education and training authorities.
Issued by:
Patrick Wadula
Media Relations
Absa Group Marketing and Communication
Tel: +27 11 350 5768
Cel: +27 82 904 0713
Email:Patrick.Wadula@absa.co.za

For further information:
Cathy Schwarz
Communication Consultant
Absa Group Marketing and Communication
Tel: +27 41 396 5679
Cel: +27 82 452 8246
Email: cathys@absa.zo.za

About Absa
The Absa Group Limited (Absa), headquartered in Johannesburg and listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), is one of South Africa’s largest financial services groups, offering a comprehensive range of banking, assurance and wealth management products and services. Absa’s business is conducted primarily in South Africa.

In addition to this, the Group has equity holdings in banks in Mozambique and Tanzania.
At 31 December 2009 the Absa Group had 718.2 million shares issued and a market capitalisation of R92.29 billion.
At 31 December 2009, Absa had assets of R717.9 billion, 1,062 points of presence, 11 million customers, 8,166 ATMs and 36,920 permanent employees.

Absa is a subsidiary of Barclays Bank plc, which holds a stake of 55,5% in the Group. Barclays is a major global financial services provider engaged in retail and commercial banking, credit cards, investment banking, wealth management and investment management services with an extensive international presence in Europe, the USA, Africa and Asia.