Kerzner ploughs R20m into SA hotel school

WORLD renowned South African hotelier, Sol Kerzner and chairman of Kerzner International, is donating R20m towards the construction of the Technikon Witwatersrand’s (TWR) new School of Tourism and Hospitality in Johannesburg, it was announced last Friday. Former TWR alumnus, Len Wolman, who is the chairman and ceo of the US-based hospitality company, Waterford Group, has also made a contribution of $1m (R6,8m) toward the school in the hope of encouraging South Africa’s tourism industry to follow suit and support the new project. At a total cost of R47m, the new school will be built on the Auckland Park Campus of the University of Johannesburg – the merged TWR and Rand Afrikaans University, incorporating the Soweto and East Rand campuses of Vista University. Sol Kerzner commented: “I’ve always been a great believer in tourism potential and I’m confident that this new initiative will elevate the Hotel School to university status and place it on par with other international hotel schools.” Kerzner does not merely intend to make the donation and then step back, since two seats on the school’s board will be filled by representatives of Kerzner International. Former president, Nelson Mandela was a guest of honour at the announcement and offered his support and best wishes, saying: “A country is only as promising as the future of its youth.” He expressed his thanks to both Sol and Butch Kerzner for their contribution to the South African tourism industry. Professor Connie Mokadi, principal and vice chancellor of TWR highlighted the contribution the current TWR Hotel School had made to South Africa. It has produced alumni such as Arthur Gillis, managing director of the Protea Hotel Group; Ken Forrester, internationally renowned winemaker; Deon Viljoen, new ceo of the Johannesburg Tourism Company; and Len Wolman. Mokadi then thanked the Kerzners for their donation to the new Hotel School. The new school will combine its practical training areas with a strong commercial component which includes a selection of public restaurants and a wine cellar. The building will house the SA Chefs Association, the SA Culinary Institute and the Gauteng branch of the Cape Wine Academy. The new School of Tourism and Hospitality will officially open its doors in January 2005. (Andrea de Wit)