Department of Hospitality Management in Faculty of Management Sciences at Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) held its annual prestige award to honour academically deserving students and dedicated staff members who strive to give their best to the university.
The event was intended to expose the Hotel Management students to their potential employers who have pledged about R1, 293,000 of bursaries towards their studies in 2015. These include Tsogo Sun-R92,000 (new bursaries), Protea Hotel-R239,000 (continuation and new bursaries), Shoprite as a new player-R200,000 (new bursaries) and CATHSSETA-R670,000 (new bursaries). Top achievers for 2014 won the prizes while academically achieving students received bursaries from partners such as Protea Hotel, Tsogo Sun, and CATHSSETA and Shoprite/Checkers.
When addressing hotel school staff and students, Mr George Cohen mentioned that in his 10 years of association with CUT Hotel School he has seen and witnessed dedicated and hardworking staff, well-groomed students and organisational par excellence. “I am proud to be associated with this institution. CUT has one of the best and excellent Hotel Schools in the country and we have been placing second and third year hospitality management students at our hotel for at least 15 years now.” He is an extraordinarily knowledgeable hotelier with more than 40 years’ experience in the industry. Born in Durban and raised in Bothaville, he is a General Manager at Saxon Hotel, Villas, and Spa in Johannesburg.
Top Achievers 2014 were:
Best 1st year student: Ms Adrielle du Plessis, best 2nd year: Ms Chloe de Villiers, best 3rd year: Ms Nikita Olivier, best BTech: Ms Kayla Davies, and Belinda van der Merwe.
Most Professional student award went to Ms Chloe de Villiers who will be joining Saxon Hotel for her Work Integrated Learning.
Student ambassador award went to Ms Sibulele Nyangeni, Service Excellent (staff): Ms Eulanda Khooa, Cum Laude: National Diploma: Ms Catherine Louw and Cum Laude BTech: Ms Kayla Davies and Belinda van der Merwe.
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Current CUT graduates from the Hotel School are employed at the Saxon Hotel. They are seen here with Mr Cohen (MD Saxon Hotel) and staff from the Hotel School (Professor Piet le Roux and Renee Minnaar) from left: Mr Dimitri Maritz, Assistant Villa Manager; Ms Reneé Minnaar, Lecturer: Hospitality Management; Mr Greg Cloete, Sales Executive; Ms Gustav Pieterse, Banqueting Manager; Ms Olivia Bell, Sales Manager; Mr George Cohen, MD Saxon Hotel; Tumi Riet, third year trainee; Prof. Piet le Roux, Acting HOD: Hospitality Management; Obakeng Tlhokwe, second year trainee; Ms Nicky Kleynhans, Assistant Night Manager; Mr Dumisane Sibeko, Restaurant Supervisor; and Mr John Ncamane, Duty Manager.