Taung Hotel School ready for 2015 academic year
Plans by government to start with the 2015 academic year in Taung Hotel School are well underway. This was confirmed by the North West MEC for Tourism Desbo Mohono after her visit to the institution on Monday. MEC Mohono confirmed that the currently under refurbishment Taung Hotel School and Convention Centre will be ready and fully operational for the 2015 academic year.
MEC Mohono said that the establishment should not only be seen as a training facility, but it should also serve as a sanctuary of poverty eradication for the people of Taung. “This institution should be a pedestal for socio-economic transformation in this area. It should bring tangible change in the ordinary lives of the people, especially the locals before it could benefit surrounding areas. As government one of our quest is to turn around the tide of poverty and establish this hotel school in a rural town like Taung will definitely make an impact,” said Mohono.
While addressing the current staff of the institution, MEC Mohono encouraged them to take pride in the institution. She said that they should protect it at all times and ensure that it succeeds in all its endeavours. “This institution belongs to you. Take care of it and in return it will also take care of you. Once it is fully operational, there will be jobs created for the locals and there will also be local economic stimulation which will greatly benefit the locals,” concluded Mohono.
Academic Manager, Herman Phetlhe said that for the 2015 academic year the school is looking at accepting about 30 students in various courses. “For that year we are going to start off with three courses of which will be offered at a two years National Diploma Level.
We will be offering National Diploma in Professional Cookery, National Diploma in Food and Beverages and National Diploma in Accommodation Services. We will then gradually increase our academic scope and courses in due time. We will add two or three courses every year until we have a fully blown academy and faculty,” he said
He added that there will still be major construction and refurbishments taking place at the institution. “Once completed, it is envisioned that this institution will boost a fully fledge academic complex with lecture halls and full academic staff. There will also be student accommodation completed with recreational parks and sports field,” he said.
The Taung Hotel School and Convention Centre was officially launched in April 2014 after the North West Development Cooperation acquired the former Taung Tusk Hotel from the Peermont Group due to a need for the province to establish a second hotel school.
MEC Mohono was accompanied by the academic manager of the institution, Herman Phetlhe, acting Head of Department, Charles Ndabeni and Head of Hotel Schools Division at the North West Parks and Tourism Board: Joseph Akwa.
Enquiries:
Dineo Lolokwane, Spokesperson
Cell: 072 542 8444
Tel: 018 388 2081
E-mail: dlolokwane@nwpg.gov.za
