School of Tourism, Hospitality wins top Indaba award

The annual Welcome Awards category winners were judged on principles of adding value to customer expectations, committing to excellence in serving customers, and exceeding expectations regarding services they offer.

It competed against well-established private sector restaurants such as Moyo uShaka Pier, KwaZulu Natal and 96 Winery Road Restaurant, Western Cape, and was the only nominee winner in Gauteng.

Andre Mynhardt, head of the STH commercial unit said, "We are proud to receive this accolade as it celebrates the unique business environment of STH, which incorporates teaching and learning into a thriving restaurant environment."

Famous diners

The restaurant plays a significant role in support of the University's open policy, making its facilities available to the local community and the public. By providing excellent facilities and services, it serves as a public face not only for the School, but also for the University.

Mynhardt further comments that it has hosted various VIP guests, from industry leaders such as Patrice Motsepe, Raymond Ackerman and Sol Kerzner to political leaders such as President Jacob Zuma and Helen Zille and Ministers of Tourism, Education and Transport.

Internationally, the STH has had visitors from well-known universities such as Harvard, New York University, Penn State University, amongst others. It has hosted the French, Jamaican and Thai Embassies recently and party guests, including local celebrities and socialites such as Edith Venter, Noni Gasa, Alex Jay, Mark Pilgrim, Ryk Neethling, Francois Pienaar and Joel Stransky.