Hotel trainees claim racist treatment
Nomfundo and Zanele felt their manager treated them differently.
IT is every young person’s dream to get an opportunity to train for a job he or she is passionate about, but for Ngwelezane’s Nomfundo Nzuza such an opportunity turned into a disappointment.
‘When I saw an advertisement on OLX to train as a hotel chef, I was over the moon with joy. I applied with Global Hotel Staff Agency who had placed the advert,’ Nzuza said.
After registering with the agency and paying an amount of R1 500 for three weeks’ theory and R600 for three months’ training, the agency placed Nomfundo and another applicant Zanele Mthembu with Protea Hotel Empangeni.
During their training, Nomfundo and Zanele said they felt that their manager treated them differently, giving preference to a third, white trainee.
‘I was happy when I began my training programme in January and looked forward to work in the hotel industry, but after the three months I’m kind of disillusioned,’ a dejected Nzuza said.
Reference letters
She alleges they were even accused of stealing and were not given reference letters.
Global Hotel Staff Agency’s S’fiso Gama said the agency issued its own reference letters to trainees after the conclusion of their internships, but was not responsible for letters the hotels provide.
Protea and African Pride Hotels Group Marketing Manager Nicholas Barenblatt said, ‘Protea Hotels manages and facilitates a comprehensive in-service trainee programme since 1989.
‘One of our strategic goals is to maintain an intake of 50% or more previously disadvantaged individuals.
‘In November 2013 we placed 154 trainees (first, second and third years respectively) to commence duty with their new hotels in January.
‘More than 53% of the trainees were previously disadvantaged individuals, demonstrating our fair employment equity practices.
‘Protea Hotels has always shown its commitment to transformation from shareholder, senior management through to the make-up of the overall staff complement at hotel and regional office level.
‘We view all allegations of racism in a serious light and are investigating this matter and will resolve it directly with the staff member concerned.’
