Great rating for the Coca-Cola dome

 

 

The Coca-Cola dome was recently announced as 19th in Pollstar’s worldwide arena venues chart based on ticket sales for the first quarter of 2011.

Determined by the USA and UK based Pollstar Magazine – the only trade publication covering the worldwide concert industry – the publication tracks major touring acts around the world. It has been supplying in-depth information to every professional concert promoter, booking agent, artist manager and facility executive involved in the live entertainment business for more than 25 years...full story

 

 

Wheels for the Unholy Ghost

 

 

One of First Car Rental’s twelve Purple-People Wagons has been crisscrossing the country for the filming of Casper De Vries’ The Unholy Ghost. The eye-catching vehicle has also been present at the sell-out tour of Casper Gaan Groot, which is featured in the movie, and has travelled everywhere, from Bloemfontein to PE.

The Unholy Ghost is a Documentary Feature Film, scheduled for distribution by Indigenous Film Distribution in Autumn 2011. The First Car Rental sponsorship contributed to the success of this production. To watch the video on our website, click here

 

 

BOFE celebrates sponsorship

 

 

Standard Bank has been named as the Headline Sponsor for the 2011 Business Opportunities and Franchise Expo (BOFE).

“As the first Headline Sponsor BOFE has had, I am excited to have Standard Bank on board this world-class event,” says Glynis Anderson, General Manager, TEPG.
Attracting over 9 000 delegates in 2010, the long-standing fair under the TEPG umbrella continues to attract leading business opportunities...full story

 

 

The hub for technology 2011

 

 

Mediatech Africa boasted over 6,700 visitors at its previous show, making it Africa's largest advanced technology trade exhibition. The biannual hub for all serious industry players takes place at the Coca-Cola dome in Northgate, Johannesburg, from 20 July to 22 July 2011.

“These sectors have already seen fundamental shifts in recent years and the future is likely to hold additional challenges”, says Simon Robinson, Mediatech Africa Exhibition Director. “That is why it is critical for serious industry players to remain abreast of change. Mediatech Africa enables them to do so, providing a centralised point to view and experience the latest products and technologies.”...full story

 

 

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

www.clubtravel.co.za

 

4* Bali Resort - 7 nights
Indonesia

 


 

Departs Johannesburg: R15990
Departs Cape Town: R17685
Departs Durban: R16995
Includes:
* Return flights to Bali
* Pre-payable airport/security taxes
* Return airport/hotel transfers
* 7 nights accommodation at the 4* Bali Resort
* Breakfast, lunch & dinner daily
* Open bar & snacks
* Range of sports & leisure activities
* Children facilities
* Unique entertainment
* Comprehensive insurance cover

Validity:
13 AUG 2011 - 17 SEP 2011.


4* Cherating Resort - 7 nights
Malaysia


Departs Johannesburg: R12900
Departs Cape Town: R14165
Departs Durban: R14205
Includes:
* Return flights to Kuantan
* Pre-payable airport/security taxes
* Return airport/hotel transfers
* 7 nights accommodation at the 4* Cherating Resort
* Breakfast, lunch & dinner daily
* Open bar & snacks
* Range of sports & leisure activities
* Children facilities
* Unique entertainment
* Comprehensive insurance cover

Validity:
01 AUG 2011 - 28 OCT 2011.
 

 
 

 

Contents

Main

Monwabisi bids us farewell

CEO's message
 Editor's note

Q&A with Marilyn Lewis

Thebe, TEP and the birds of Soweto
Compass tackles skills shortage

 

Group Highlights

Great rating for the Coca-Cola dome

Wheels for the Unholy Ghost
BOFE celebrates sponsorship

The hub for technology 2011

 

Monwabisi bids us farewell

 

Like in nature, all aspects of our lives always flow in a cycle of seasons and the time has come for me to embrace the next season. My three years at Thebe Tourism Group will always be a special season that I will remember with great fondness.

When I was appointed CEO in 2008 the team and I had a vision for the Thebe Tourism Group. It was a vision of Thebe Tourism Group becoming the leading black-owned investment group in the tourism industry, making a significant impact on sustainable transformation in the South African tourism industry. Over the past few years the Thebe Tourism Group and its subsidiaries have not just lead transformation but have also consolidated our investments in a strong and diverse portfolio. Through teamwork we were also able to face some challenges and overcome them in the true spirit of what the Thebe brand stands for.

 

 

During the course of my time at Thebe I have had the opportunity to work with inspirational leaders and a dynamic executive team that supported and shared my vision. Looking forward, I know that Thebe’s success is in safe hands with the guidance of Marilyn Lewis and the leadership team. The leadership mantle of building a significant and sustainable group has been transferred and I know that it will be carried with continuity and astute business focus.

Support the Thebe Tourism Group leadership to unlock the potential that the future holds. It has been a privilege to have been involved with Thebe and I will always remain a Thebeian at heart. I wish all at Thebe Tourism Group well and will continue to keep a keen interest in the Group's progress. Salani Kahle!

 

Monwabisi Fandeso
Ex-CEO, Thebe Tourism Group
 

CEO's Message

 

Every business is affected by change and the Thebe Tourism Group is no different. I believe however that a company’s resilience, both internally and externally, is what sets it apart from its competitors and is an indication of its longevity.

Thebe has been through a challenging time, bringing with it many changes, but the group has emerged stronger and with a renewed focus. This has been due to an astute management team and dedicated employees, under the leadership of Monwabisi, which proves to me that Thebe’s strength lies in its people. Going forward I intend to harness this strength in order to drive financial stability and long-term, sustainable growth.

 


The way forward for Thebe is clearly defined and entails maximising resources and increasing revenue by identifying new markets in addition to pursuing opportunities within the group.

I believe that success is inevitable when supported by Thebe’s skilled and experienced management team and dedicated staff and I would like to thank Monwabisi Fandeso and the board for their stewardship and guidance.

 

Marilyn Lewis
Interim CEO, Thebe Tourism Group
 

Editor's Note

 

This month’s newsletter is bitter sweet. We bid a sad farewell to Monwabisi Fandeso and we welcome Marilyn Lewis as our interim CEO.

We spent some time with Marilyn in order to get to know her better and compiled a ‘Q&A’ that will give you an insight into our dynamic new leader.

In October 2010 TTG became the first investor in a ground breaking enterprise development mentorship program which has just been completed. Read about the positive effect the program has had on all the small businesses involved in our story entitled “Thebe, TEP and the birds of Soweto”.

 

In this bulletin you can also read about how Compass Group Southern Africa is effecting transformation in the hospitality industry, one chef at a time and how First Car Rental helped comedian, Casper de Vries, film his documentary “Unholy Ghost”. Thebe Exhibitions and Projects Group (TEPG) announce the headline sponsorship deal for the Business Opportunities and Franchise Expo and “The hub for technology 2011” entices our readers to visit the largest technological expo in Africa this July.
Until next month!
 

Hapiloe Sello
 Group GM: Marketing, Thebe Tourism Group
 

Q&A with Marilyn Lewis

 

 


The Thebe Tourism Group Marketing team recently got to know Marilyn better.

 

Who is Marilyn Lewis?

I would first and foremost describe myself as a dedicated mom of two high achieving children. My son, Matthew, is studying engineering and commerce concurrently at Sydney University and my daughter, Ashleigh, has just started to study a degree in medicine at Wits.

 

Over the years, my children have achieved a lot, both academically and in sport and I am very proud of them and grateful to have had the privilege of being part of their lives.

As a professional I would describe myself as driven, committed and passionate about striving for success. I leave no room for any quality compromise in my business approach and treasure integrity, honesty and transparency as the foundations of good business practice. I always have time to help someone who wants to learn.

Quality relationships both professional and personal are very important to me and I place a very high premium on loyalty.

A French philosopher, mathematician, scientist and writer Pascal once said
‘Power without truth is tyranny
Truth without power is defied
But power with truth is divine’
 

Questions asked were:

 

Thebe, TEP and the birds of Soweto

 

Soweto, a sprawling township South of Johannesburg, is not the first place that comes to mind when you think of birding but that’s exactly where Raymond Rampolokeng, owner of Bay of Grace Tours, takes his clients for a birding experience unlike any other. Along with birds such as the African Marsh Warbler, the Orange Breasted Waxbill and the Marsh Owl, Raymond also introduces his clients to the historical sites of Soweto. This unique ecotourism-based product was developed as a result of Raymond’s involvement in a mentorship programme run by the Tourism Enterprise Partnership (TEP)

 

 

In October 2010, Raymond was one of 15 Soweto-based entrepreneurs selected to participate in the first TEP Enterprise Development Mentorship Project. TEP is a Section 21 (not-for-profit) company who utilises funding from Corporate South Africa and Government to facilitate the growth, development and sustainability of small tourism businesses in South Africa. The six-month mentorship project aims to increase the competitiveness and profitability of the chosen businesses through mentoring by individuals who are experienced in a range of fields from banking to marketing. Mr Salifou Siddo, TEP Chief Executive, says: “Most mentees admitted a feeling of being overwhelmed by all the business areas that needed their attention. Financial record keeping was mentioned as a critical need by most and many requested assistance with marketing and market access and developing new business using current resources.”

Funding is critical for the programme to succeed and the Thebe Tourism Group is proud that it was the first company to invest in the mentorship programme. Ms Hapiloe Sello, General Manager: Marketing, Thebe Tourism Group, says: “Our involvement with TEP is driven by our objective of facilitating real transformation in the tourism sector...full story

 

  

Compass tackles skills shortage

 

 

 

Compass Group Southern Africa (Compass Group SA), the country’s largest food services company, is tackling the hospitality sector’s national skills shortage head on. A skills audit conducted by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) identified a severe shortage in the industry, with the demand for chefs being the highest.

The DEAT found that the industry needed to increase its numbers by:

 

Chefs and cooks

 24 000

Waiters

 23 500

Cleaners

 15 000

Cashiers

 15 000


Among several reasons for the problem is the inability of tertiary education facilities to keep up with the national demand; another is that hospitality-trained graduates find more attractive employment overseas.


Compass Group SA launched its Chef Academy in 2008. To date it has invested almost R6 million in facilities to train over 200 previously disadvantaged South Africans – of which 38 have been deaf learners. After obtaining a nationally recognised NQF Level 4 Tourism and Hospitality Education and Training Authority (THETA) accredited certificate in Professional Cookery, the learners are placed within Compass Group SA once they graduate from the Academy.

The one-year course comprises 30% theory and 70% practical work, which the academy considers the ideal mix to provide learners with the skills necessary to operate optimally in all aspects of the hospitality sector. In partnership with Hospitality Academy, a THETA-accredited service provider, the Chef Academy learners are selected from databases provided by the Department of Labour, the National Institute for the Deaf and the National Youth Development Fund...full story

  
   

© 2010 Thebe Tourism Group | Tel: +27 (0)21 551 0288 | www.thebetourism.co.za