SA College for Tourism

SA College for Tourism 10th anniversary

Excitement and anxiety fills the air as the SA College for Tourism 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 previous graduates are reminiscing about their time at the College, and letters updating the trainers on their progress are received, as well as inspirational words to the current students. Following is a letter recently received from one of the 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.

The SA College for Tourism 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 with the College started 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. The College is not just a learning experience, it is a growing experience.


Ms Riah Phiyega, then Group Executive: Public Affairs at Absa, presenting the Absa Student of the Year Trophy to Anica

During the year the announcement was made that Mrs Pudel would be sponsoring a trip to Portofino, Italy for the best student to work in her villa, which is rented out to international guests. 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 the Best Student at the end of 2007. What an honour!

After this great opportunity of working and traveling 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 Samara Private Game Reserve General Manager, who had heard about the SA College for Tourism students via the grapevine. I was offered the position of Relief Manager. After a couple of months I knew I had found my niche and was offered the position of Assistant Manager, and after about a year of hard work and long hours, that of Lodge Manager.

I am now working as General Manager of Nedile Lodge in the Waterberg District of Limpopo Province in South Africa. I love every minute of it, as I never go to work, I merely live out my passion.
The SA College for Tourism is one of the best stepping stones you can get in the industry – it covers all the aspects and more. I am currently studying marketing part time, and was quite pleasantly surprised when I started off and realised how I already knew some of the basics thanks to my studies at the College.

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

– Anica
2011 marks the SA College for Tourism’s 10th anniversary as a center of training excellence. To date, 523 students have successfully graduated, all thanks to donor funding. Presently some 90 women are trained annually.

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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