Thebe Tourism Group Bulletin

Thebe to manage 2012 International Small Business Congress

The Thebe Exhibitions and Projects Group (TEPG) has been awarded the exhibition management contract for the 2012 International Small Business Congress (ISBC) which will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre from 15 to 18 September.

The congress, to be held in Africa for the first time, is aimed at improving small business practice globally and was first established in 1974.

TEPG Managing Director Carol Weaving says the event, which will be attended by delegates from across the world representing trade associations, governments, financial institutions, business support organisations and academic communities, will also feature an exhibition which will showcase Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) within high-growth sectors such as Agro-processing, Automotive, Mining, Construction, Tourism, Cultural, Business Process Services, Chemicals and the Greening Industry...full story

TEPG wins in the EXSA 2011 Awards

The Exhibitions and Event Association of Southern Africa hosted the 2011 EXSA Awards Gala Dinner on 3 November to honour those who have contributed to the industry over the last twelve months.

Congratulations to TEPG’s Managing Director, Carol Weaving on being inducted into this year’s EXSA Hall of Fame and honoured for her timeless dedication and on-going support of the industry.

TEPG’s Decorex SA team won Best Trade and Consumer Exhibition, 12 000 sqm and over for Decorex Joburg which took place at the Gallagher Convention Centre in August this year – congratulations on this accolade!...full story

First Car Rental has entered the South African Service Awards

The Awards recognise companies for exceptional customer service in various industries throughout South Africa.

You can help, by rating the service that you have received from First Car Rental.

By rating First Car Rental and other companies in the South African Service Awards you stand in line to win fantastic random prizes such as Apple iPods, iPads, Weekends away, etc.

Click here to submit your rating.

See some of Club Travel's current deals below. To find more of these, go to:

www.clubtravel.co.za

5* African Pride Mount Grace Country House & Spa
Johannesburg

Departs Johannesburg: R2570
(Excludes flights & transfers/car hire)
Departs Cape Town: R4710
Departs Durban: R4320

Includes:
* Return flights to Johannesburg
* Pre-payable airport/security taxes
* 2 days car hire
* 2 nights accommodation at the 5* African Pride Mount Grace Country House & Spa
* Spa package including Thalasso therapy, exotic body salt glow, Indian head massage & back, neck & shoulder massage

Validity:
NOW - 30 APR 2012. Valid for weekend stays only. Valid for SA/SADC Residents only.

5* Superior Paradis - Golf Challenge 2012
Mauritius

Departs Johannesburg: R19777
Departs Cape Town: R22007
Departs Durban: R20757

Includes:
* Return flights to Mauritius
* Pre-payable airport/security taxes
* Return airport/hotel transfers
* 6 nights accommodation in a deluxe room at the 5* Superior Paradis Hotel & Golf Club
* Breakfast & dinner daily
* Golf: 2 fun days & 2 competition days
* Use of golf trolleys & golf carts during competition
* Free practice balls
* Farewell Gala dinner including free wine, beer & cold drinks
* Free land & water sports as per brochure
* Evening entertainment

Validity:
01-07 JUL 2012 & 09-15 SEP 2012.

3* Augustos Copacabana
Rio De Janeiro

Departs Johannesburg: R19990
Departs Cape Town: R20690
Departs Durban: R20690

Includes:
* Return flights to Rio De Janeiro
* Pre-payable airport/security taxes
* Return airport/hotel transfers
* 4 nights accommodation at the 3* Augustos Copacabana
* Breakfast daily

Validity:
18 - 22 FEB 2011.

Accessorize is in full summer along with the fantastic BEACH accessories for the Summer holidays which features lovely footwear and fun summer hats!

Kaftans feature new drawstring drop-waits and alongside beautiful maxi dresses!
Win an iPad on Facebook on Accessorize South Africa

One of Inglot's unique features as an international cosmetic brand is its wonderful Freedom System which allows the customer to create and customize their own colour palettes.
Now Inglot has launched the beautiful new Rainbow Collection of Freedom System eye shadows in 20 colours.
Fill the palette at R89 per pan and you get the palette FREE!

Our stores are in Canal walk, Sandton & Gateway and Inglot is now in Woolworths, Cavendish & Eastgate

Contents

Main

CEO's message
Editor's note

Excellent achievements at the Thebe Excellence awards

The Coca-Cola dome is Joburgs best concert venue

Innovation and expertise meet at the Two Oceans
Selati Train Restaurant
Employee Profile: Adelle Nel – First Car Rental National Operations Manager

Group Highlights

Thebe to manage 2012 International Small Business Congress
TEPG wins in the EXSA 2011 Awards

First Car Rental has entered the South African Service Awards

Club Travel Specials

Accesorize Specials

Inglot Specials

CEO's Message

In my professional life, I have come to appreciate that people and corporate reputation are a company’s greatest asset; research universally shows that a good reputation demonstrably increases corporate worth and provides sustained competitive advantage.
It is a fact: companies with good reputations achieve their objectives more easily if they have a good reputation among their stakeholders, including customers, employees, opinion leaders in the business community and suppliers.

Having said that - I have also come to realise that it is easy to push issues of reputation to the back of our minds as we attend to what we consider to be more immediate and urgent goals - often these goals are financial. With demanding operational and functional priorities we are driven by the bottom line and we believe that matters to do with reputation are outside of our functional expertise and are best dealt with by the PR department.

However we have to remind ourselves constantly that no matter what role we play, each one of us has a role to play in building and upholding the reputation of the company. Thebe Tourism Group is a composite of the people that make it work and exist, and it is through your good work that we are able to build and better our reputation.

For us to flourish as a brand and drive our revenues every one of us has to believe and live by our values and ethics and to embrace the role of brand ambassador.

So remember as you engage in your day to day tasks and interact with the world out there – you are a Thebe Tourism ambassador. And remember, as Henry Ford the founder of the Ford Motor Company, put it “You can’t build your reputation on what you’re going to do”.
With that in mind, I am proud to say that Thebe Tourism companies and their employees swept most of the awards at the annual Thebe Excellence Awards. True assets to our company, these are individuals who strive to outshine; are conscientious and driven by the quest for excellence, they are living the Thebe values and brand. Let’s congratulate these esteemed colleagues, for the inspiration they are to us all and the example of true brand ambassadorship they set. Read about our winners in the full story in the main body of this newsletter, may the motivations of their unique contribution to the company, be a guide for us to follow in the coming year.

Last but not least, with the Festive season on our doorstep, I would like to remind you to enter this whirlwind season with caution – never neglect your- and your loved ones’ safety, act responsibly while having a good time, and value our tourists! I wish you and yours a blessed time over this festive season.

Marilyn Lewis
Interim CEO, Thebe Tourism Group

Editor's Note

While sparkling lights, brightly foiled decorations and Christmas carols humming in the background at shopping centres, and gift ideas in magazines are all evidence of the pending festive season; we are focussing on the year that has been.

The Thebe Tourism Group has raised the bar – again, we have had outstanding performance in the group as pointed out at the Thebe Excellence Awards held in November at a prestigious ceremony. Six of our employee’s were honoured for their excellent contribution to the company – well done to Charlene Boschoff; Gladys Mogano; Jo Fraser; Monwasibi Kalawe and Naomi Jansen, you have all represented Thebe Tourism Group in the highest manner.

The year has also brought some excitement, change and recognition to the group: The Coca Cola Dome has for the thirteenth time been voted best concert venue; we’ve welcomed a culinary master at Cape Point’s Two Oceans restaurant; Thebe Exhibitions and Projects Group’s (TEPG) MD - Carol Weaving has been received into the EXSA Hall of Fame and TEPG’s Decorex SA team won Best Trade and Consumer Exhibition.

We are also looking forward to the year that will be, with exciting projects like TEPG landing the contract to manage 2012 International Small Business Congress; the restoration and altering the menu of the Selati train and Compass announcing their rugby sponsorship.

Within this issue we get to know Adelle Nel, First Car Rental’s National Operations Manager and get excited over the end-of-year specials brought to you by Club Travel, La Senza, Inglot and Accesorize.

If you are in Cape Town and looking for a special Christmas experience, have a look at the Christmas menu at Two Ocean’s restaurant at Cape Point – a treat awaits you!

With the end of 2011 in sight, we wish for 2012 to welcome you with embracing arms!

Until next month!

Hapiloe Sello
Group GM: Marketing, Thebe Tourism Group

Excellent achievements at the Thebe Excellence awards

Celebrating and honoring individuals and companies in the Thebe Investment Group is what the Thebe Excellence Awards is all about, and celebrating there was! Held at the Crowne Plaza Rosebank on 24 November 2011, the organizers did a sterling job at putting this prestigious event together. Guest speaker, Mr Godfrey Gomwe, an Executive Director of Anglo American and Chairman of Anglo Zimele, inspired the crowd while MC of the evening, Bob Mabena, from Kaya Fm dazzled everyone with his charm and jokes. Some of the stars from the musical ‘Dream girls’ were the entertainment for the evening, and had everyone dancing in no time.

Dressed in their Sunday best, The Thebe Tourism Group employees outdid themselves - with six out of the thirteen awards going to a TTG employee. ‘Outstanding’ and ‘excellent’ were some of the words describing the TTG winners, descriptions very accurate to those proudly displaying their awards on their desks today, read the motivations of each of these winners by clicking on their names below.

Congratulations to each of the winners and finalists from The Thebe Tourism Group, you’ve done us proud! May the 2012 awards bring home even more acknowledgement to The Thebe Tourism Group. Click on the winners names to find out more.

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Winner Name	Winner Company	Winner Category
Charlene Boschoff	Club Travel SA	Rookie
Gladys Mogano	Thebe Exhibitions & Projects Group	Best Junior Manager
Jo Fraser	Club Travel SA	Best Middle Management
Monwabisi Kalawe	Compass SA	Best CEO of a non-controlled Thebe company
Naomi Jansen	Club Travel SA	Individual Excellence (co-winner)

Finalist	Finalist Company	Finalist Category
Paul Eccleston	FX Africa	Rookie
Lufuno Mothibi	The Coca-Cola Dome	Rookie
Nombuso Hlongwane	Thebe Tourism Group Retail	Leadership: Best Junior Manager
Ansie Joubert	FX Africa	Leadership: Best Junior Manager
Ntabiseng Mahlakoana	Thebe Tourism Group Retail	Leadership: Best Middle Manager

COMPANY AWARDS
Winner Company		Winner Category
Thebe Exhibitions and Projects Group		Best Thebe Company

The Coca-Cola dome is Joburgs best concert venue

It’s official, the Coca-Cola dome is Johannesburg’s best concert venue – and that is what Joburgers are saying.

“One of the most credible affirmations is from your patrons – and we are delighted that they have voted us the best concert venue in Johannesburg for the 13th consecutive year,” says the dome’s Marketing Manager Taryn Schild.

The Leisure Options Best of Joburg Readers’ Choice Awards are now celebrating their 16th year and received over 75 000 readers’ votes in 2011. Leisure Options is published by one of South Africa’s largest media houses, the Caxton Group.

The results follow open ballots which gave readers the opportunity to vote for the best of the best in Johannesburg across a large number of different categories, ranging from music and nightlife, restaurants and shopping to goods and services.

“We thank our clients for their continuous support and for bringing world class events to our venue, as well as the people who support these fantastic events...full story

Innovation and expertise meet at the Two Oceans

It takes a very special chef to meet the challenges of running a kitchen that is like no other. Luckily for the Two Oceans Restaurant at Cape Point, Phil Alcock is a chef who relishes a challenge.
“Most restaurants are able to build up a core clientele of regulars, people keep coming back for their favourite dishes,” Phil points out. “At Two Oceans Restaurant our guests are almost all tourists so my aim is to make sure that they have an experience that leaves them dreaming of coming back again, or at least sharing their great experience with others.”

While the tourist market provides the bulk of the 650 guests the restaurant serves each day, it is clear from Phil’s new menu that he is offering something special to locals as well, especially those who are green card holders and can enter the Cape Point Reserve for free.

“Previously our menu was a mix of foods, but I have decided that a restaurant which is situated at the meeting point of two great oceans needs to provide a seafood experience like no other,” he says.”It starts with the best possible quality fish and seafood. We’re providing world class food with a uniquely South African twist.”

Finding ways to meet challenges is typical of Phil. His journey to culinary excellence started when he was just 14, not because he had a particular interest in food but because he wanted to buy a motorbike and he realised that the only way he was going to get it was to earn the money himself.

“I bought the bike, but in the process of peeling the carrots and washing the pots, I also learned that the kitchen was a place where magic was performed and it was the place that I wanted to be.”

That decision led to a lifetime of learning, working in some of the best kitchens in all areas of the globe and honing the skills that are apparent in each masterful dish on the Two Oceans menu...full story

Selati Train Restaurant

In 1978 the SAR Class 24 locomotive known as The Grand Old Lady, which had been in service for 29 years and ran the tracks through Kruger National Park, made its last stop at Selati Station in Skukuza. But to this day she still serves well all those who board her. By Benno Stander
The Selati Train Restaurant is more than just another place to eat. Besides the world-class dining experience offered by the Compass Group-managed eatery, there is a wealth of history and heritage that will have anyone reminiscing about the olden days.

A Golden Legacy
Legend has it that Paul Kruger, former president of the Transvaal Republic, buried his millions in the Selati region. For more than a century gold diggers have been scouring the area for the elusive Kruger Millions. The origin of this section of railroad, that ran from Komatipoort to Tzaneen, is steeped in rumours of gold on the banks of the Selati River. The name Selati came from the female chief of the Tebulapeople whose name was Shalati.

Excitement over the possibilities of wealth grew so strong, that it caused one of the biggest railway scandals when Baron Oppenheim and his brother floated the Selati Railway Company in Brussels to build the line from Komatipoort to the "new Transvaal gold field".

The two brothers didn't wait to find out how the gold fields were delivering and went ahead with laying 80 kilometres of track right to Skukuza where the train stands today. When the gold didn't show, the company went bankrupt and the development was halted halfway through the construction of the Sabie Bridge. Tools were picked up only 15 years later when the the line was completed by the Transvaal government.

Accessibility made a huge difference to this area which was previously regarded as "the back of beyond". Around 1973, after the origin of Kruger National Park, the railway line was used for the last time as it was felt that it disturbed the park's characteristic atmosphere of peace and quiet. So the Grand Old Lady made her last stop in Skukuza, and waits there for many a traveller to come and blow off steam at her station...full story

Employee Profile: Adelle Nel – First Car Rental

With vehicle quality being one of the most important factors for First Car Rental, there is no doubt that new National Operations Manager; Adelle Nel; has an exigent yet gratifying task ahead of her. With this in mind, Adelle directs and manages business operation activities by keeping the strategic company objectives in mind, in which she is also involved in determining and implementing.

“Fun” is the way Adelle describes the ten years she has been with First Car Rental. Her journey started in the sales

department in Gauteng before moving into a Branch Manager position at the O.R. Thambo International Airport branch – here she got to try her hand at operations: “I soon realised that I had found my passion within First Car Rental and loved every minute of it”. Before long she was promoted to District Manager and next was a promotion to Regional Manager for Gauteng and most recently, National Operations Manager.

Employee satisfaction is key to Adelle and she believes in raising the bar to achieve the overall goal of First Car Rental - making sure each customer rental experience is pleasurable and memorable, making them feel that they care about their needs and deliver high standards every time. “Expect the best and your employees will rise to that level. I firmly believe that employees model behaviour and will accept what we expect as the standard. Set the example for others and always remember, even when you don’t think someone notices, they do”. Adelle believes in giving their staff the opportunity to be proud of their work, rewarding team members publicly for a job well done, and to consistently provide guidance and assistance to those who have fallen behind.

Being in tune with customers is very important to Adelle, encouraging the clients to notify First Car Rental of all experiences they’ve had with the company. “The only way for us to truly evaluate, maintain and improve on our service delivery is through continuous audits and feedback from our clients”. She is committed to making good service a reality through various channels including open communication, guidance and a positive attitude. Her goal is to ensure that all customers have the same outstanding rental experience.

“My commitment to all our customers is to fully perform to First Car Rental’s strategic desire to be the leading car rental company in South Africa and beyond. We are first in car hire, first in service and to settle for nothing less than being the best in both”