Johan Cronjé will lead the team at the new Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Menlyn, which opens early next year. Cronjé was named Protea Hotels 2012 GM of the Year and is current Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Cape Town GM. He joined the hotel as Food & Beverage Manager in 2007 before heading up the rooms division and becoming GM in June 2010. Cronjé says the opportunity to launch a new Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! is one he simply can’t turn down.
Grande Roche Hotel in Paarl has appointed Michaela Soule Sales Representative for the EU. “I absolutely love Grand Roche Hotel. South Africa has many beautiful properties but this one is like a rare and precious jewel. I am so looking forward to putting it – and Paarl – firmly back on the map,” says Soule. She will initially concentrate on the German market, expanding later into the rest of the EU.
Wayne Kafcsak has taken over as MD at Fregate Island Private, Oetker Collection has announced. Kafcsak’s management career in luxury international resorts spans 35 years. His previous general manager positions include Fairmont Royal Pavilion in Barbados (West Indies), Raffles Canouan Island St Vincent & the Grenadines, Peter Island Resort & Yacht Harbour and the Bitter End Yacht Club, both in the British Virgin Islands. "We are delighted to welcome Wayne to the Oetker Collection team. His extensive knowledge of luxury resorts will be an asset to bring Fregate Island Private to new heights," said Frank Marrenbach, CEO Oetker Collection.
Oldenburg Vineyards, Stellenbosch, has appointed Philip Costandius as MD and winemaker from July 1. Costandius will be responsible for all aspects of the business, with his primary focus being winemaking and viticulture. He was previously cellar master and chief winemaker at Delheim, Neethlingshof and Lourensford wineries. “Philip was our wine consultant when we released our first vintages. It is clear to me that his wealth of knowledge and experience has had a very positive influence on our wine styles – he already has a strong affinity with and respect for our terroir and shares my belief that Oldenburg has something quite unique,” said Adrian Vanderspuy, proprietor of Oldenburg.
Comair has appointed Kirsten King as Financial Director, following Yasas Sri-Chandana’s (the company’s former financial director) emigration to Australia. King is a registered chartered accountant and was the manager responsible for the external audit of Comair in 2009 and 2010. She joined Comair as the revenue accountant in February 2011. During her time with Comair she has gained substantial exposure to the challenges facing the industry and to managing the accounting function in the group. The board wishes her every success in her new role.
Ethos Marketing has added Mashatu in Botswana to its portfolio. Mashatu is home to more than 700 elephant and encompasses 72 000 hectares. The reserve borders South Africa and Zimbabwe and forms the heart of the proposed Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area.
