Top hotel school graduate aims for the sky
Manelisi was part of the first group of students to graduate from Peermont Hotel School in June
“I had no experience in hospitality when I started, so I had to play the game as it was played and showed my commitment towards what I am doing.”
Speaking is one of the top graduates of Peermont Hotel School, waitron Manelisi Ndlovu of Kempton Park.
Lecturer Ben Zodwa commented: “I have been consistently impressed by both Manelisi’s attitude towards his academics and performance. His interpersonal and communication skills have allowed him to develop productive working relationships with both clients and staff.”
While at the school, the ambitious young man managed to build up a position where his duties were to look after all the operational equipment of the school. In December he got a promotion to work in the rooms division at the Peermont D’Oreale Grande Hotel’s front office.
Manelisi is originally from Durban but moved to Joburg in 2013 and matriculated in 2015.
How did he get to hear about the hotel school? “They came to our school and told us about the hotel school. At the time I did not know anything about it but it sounded interesting.”
Once a student at the school, he managed to put in extra hours and always wanted to know more than what he was taught. “I received training from housekeeping to being a chef.
Manelisi and his fellow students were the first group of students to graduate from the school in June. The school, which was launched just over a year ago, was funded by the Peermont Community Benefit Trust (PCBT), a CSI initiative of Emperors Palace in partnership with Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM).
Learners from Ekurhuleni are offered a 12-month bursary to train under hospitality industry professionals to gain practical insight into vital roles within the industry.
Each group of 72 learners spends two of the 12 months’ training at the school at Emperors Palace, two months at Emperors Palace working alongside the hotel’s world-class staff and eight months with various industry partners in order to hone their skills as chefs, restaurant service staff and housekeeping staff.
For more information about Peermont Hotel School and to apply for learnership opportunities visit www.peermonthotelschool.co.za and like their page @PeermontHotelSchool
