December 18, 2003
By Tshepiso Mogotsi
HOTEL magnate Sol Kerzner, with his son Butch Kerzner, is to donate R20-million towards the building of a new School of Tourism and Hospitality in Johannesburg; the first combined hospitality and tourism training school in the country.
The school, to be established on the Auckland Park campus of the University of Johannesburg (formed by the merger of Technikon Witwatersrand, the Rand Afrikaans University, and the Soweto and East Rand campuses of Vista University), will cost a total R47-million to build.
Kerzner, better known as The Sun King after his former hotel empire Sun International, which included Sun City, saw his involvement, through Kerzner International Ltd, as the beginning of a dynamic partnership with the Technikon Witwatersrand.
The R20-million has been earmarked for the bricks and mortar of the project, with construction on the new school scheduled to start next March. Work is expected to be complete in early 2005.
Up market facilities will include two restaurants, a bar, wine cellar, various modern kitchens for skills training, 17 lecture rooms equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, 150-seater auditorium, six en suit bedrooms and computer laboratories.
The new building will also house the current hotel school museum and a display of the history of catering and cuisine in South Africa. The South African Culinary Institute, the SA Chef's Association and the Gauteng branch of the Cape Wine Academy will also be based in the school building.
The School of Tourism and Hospitality will offer courses ranging from national diplomas to a Master of Technology (MTech) degree, in the fields of hospitality management, tourism and food and beverage management.
Programmes will prepare students for job opportunities in hotels, restaurants, lodges, conference facilities, theme parks, golf and country clubs, casinos, health hydros and airline catering companies.
In addition to financial support, Kerzner and Kerzner International Ltd announced they would assist the new school link up with international hospitality training institutions like the prestigious New York School of Hospitality Management.
"Our gift reflects our commitment to South Africa and we are excited about this opportunity to play a role in strengthening the training and development of much-needed skilled hospitality and tourism professionals," Kerzner was quoted as saying.
Former TWR Hotel School graduate, Waterford Group CEO Len Wolman, added a further R1-million towards the new school.
Nelson Mandela applauded Kerzner's generosity and said the new institution was a tribute to the fact that South Africa was now on the international tourism map. "The school will not only contribute to the future of our youth, but will also ensure our youth become expert in showing off our beautiful country," Mandela said.
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