TRP News 17/10/2022

Knowledge Hub
Oct 20, 2022
6 min read

Updated: Oct 24, 2022

VALUE OF THE MONTH

To have a culture of mutual respect, trust and integrity

TOURISM UPDATE

More and more flights coming to South Africa!

“LATAM announced it will resume its only passenger scheduled service between South America and Africa. As of July 2023, LATAM Brazil will operate direct flights from São Paulo Guarulhos to Johannesburg.”

“CemAir has been granted a number of new regional routes from Johannesburg: Livingstone, Lilongwe, Accra, Nairobi, Pointe Noire, Brazzaville, Libreville, Entebbe, Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Freetown.”

Some European Airports are still struggling to get back to pre-COVID capacity.

“Amsterdam Schiphol Airport was once more the scene of chaos this week, with flight cancellations and delays, lost and delayed baggage blamed on strikes and understaffing.”

TO GIVE OUR GUESTS A COMPLETE EXPERIENCE AND A PERFECT STAY

SALES UPDATE

Jaco Ehlers and Felipe Brosou, our two Sales Managers, will be off to Brazil next week. This is their first trip back to Latin America since before the pandemic. Felipe will then head to Mexico and Jaco will fly to Las Vegas to attend the Signature Travel Show. Good luck and safe travels to both of them!

PROPERTIES UPDATE

Birkenhead House has been jam-packed with guests and will be running at full occupancy from Wednesday 19 October.

The La Residence team just bottled their first olive oil! The olives are from the estate, pressed locally at La Bourgogne and bottled and labelled by hand. It is for sale at some of our curio shops for R129 a bottle and is the perfect memory for our South African guests to take home or gift for a loved one!

The gardens at La Residence have been looking beautiful with roses in full bloom. Guests have been receiving early wake-up calls at around 3 - 4am from our residential peacocks!

Victor Borchers (Executive Coach) was at the Silo Hotel and the team has really enjoyed learning from him.

With regards to operations, The Silo has been very busy and running at high occupancy. The hotel was bustling last weekend during the Cape Town Marathon and one of the Silo guests completed the race in 2 hours 39 minutes. Well done to him! Also, the price of the high tea has increased to R425, it has been well received by the public and we are getting lots of bookings.

Marguerite Brunsdon (Junior Lodge Manager @FS) organised a beautiful elopement, it was small and intimate. Marguerite is hoping we can do more of these weddings going forward! Charne Daneel (Experience & Wellness Coordinator @WS) helped to put everything together, from the photographer to the make-up artist. Ramos Malapane (Junior Duty Manager @TL) led a traditional wedding, and Ryan Jack (Head Professional Field Guide) found them the most perfect spot.

There was a devastating fire on the Thornybush Reserve on Sunday 9 October. 2500 hectares were burnt and three lodges had to be evacuated. Luckily they ended up not being damaged and no one was injured. The fire started in the Timbavati. The K9 unit as well as most lodges, including The Royal Malewane team, went to help fight the fire. Some individuals were there for more than 24 hours! The Hoedspruit community was amazing and made sure there was food and water for everyone. Thank you to everyone who helped!

The Rangers, Trackers and Apprentices have been very busy with staff drives as well as driving the Sihlekisi Primary School Grade 7's through the reserve and teaching them about our amazing animals and conservation. Executive Chef, Archie Maclean and his team prepared boerewors rolls for the students.

The staff drives have been really exciting for the Royal Malewane team. Being out on the vehicles and seeing the wild animals reminded them how lucky they are to be working on a Big 5 nature reserve. The whole experience has been a very useful for team-building.

TRP CULTURE

All the properties had a very successful World Mental Health Day. Green ribbons were distributed to our staff and everyone who wanted to could wear them and be part of promoting mental health. The ribbons also raised interest from our guests. Promoting mental well-being in the workplace is extremely important and part of our culture!

The Silo Hotel has also announced their P&V Champions in a very creative and fun video clip!

Anika De Jongh (Assistant F&B Manager)
Anneline Gerstner (Front Office Shift Leader)
Bella Da Silva (HR Assistant)
David Masawi (HR Manager)
George Menyoli (Chauffeur/ Host)
Grace Ncube (Waiter)
Igsaan Fisher (Assistant Maintenance Manager)
Izane Rautenbach (Senior Sous Chef)
Johandri Ras (Deputy General Manager)
Khuselwa Kolweni (Waiter)
Rhoda Daniels (Junior GRO)

Head Office recently launched the fun committee! The committee is composed of six ladies, Emma Gelb (Sales Co-ordinator), Estelle Van der Merwe (Group HR Manager), Gina Ferguson (Liz's Personal Assistant), Nicky Farmer (Head of Talent), Sue Pinto (Accounts Receivable Clerk) and Wayve Kolevsohn (Group Beverage Manager). They will be responsible to drive our Purpose & Values and organise fun activities to drive our culture at head office. Their first initiative was a staff photo shoot, with a cocktail-making masterclass, and then Wellness Week which has just concluded and been a real success. Thank you and well done to them!

FOUNDATION UPDATE

The Marketing team, together with the Foundation team had a very busy week. Georgie Muirhead (Group Marketing Manager) organised two photographers to take photos of all our partners and projects around our lodges. All the below projects were included and here are a few behind-the-scenes photos and videos.

Conservation Projects: including pictures of the Ground Hornbill Projects, wild dogs, vultures vast open spaces, leopards etc.

K9 Unit - The anti-poaching dog unit based on the Thornybush Nature Reserve.

Research Centre - under construction

"In the heart of the Lowveld, and within the Big 5 territory of the Greater Kruger National Park, you will find a centre focused solely on the research and conservation of this delicate endemic ecosystem.

It is a place that welcomes those who contribute to the growth and sustainability of our wild areas and the protection of the wildlife, while inspiring learning and the sharing of knowledge.

The centre will house artefacts and books and be a meeting place for Scientists, Trackers, Guides and guests, for lectures, collaboration or an informal chat over a cup of coffee"

Sigagule Creche

Langutelani Creche - The construction of environmentally friendly toilets

Sihlekisi Primary School - Prize-giving ceremony, the construction of an outside kitchen area and the Grade 7 game drive

S.A.M.E. (South African Medical Expeditions) Centre - The Centre provides medical care, food and HIV testing to orphans and vulnerable children in the local community.

The Sigagule Community - Dr Simoné Fourie and her work in the community, boreholes donated by the Foundation, sponsored football team uniform etc.

HR UPDATE

This is a reminder that Discovery will be increasing the medical aid contributions from

1 October 2022, for all Discovery Health members. The increase will be 7.9% in total.

There is NO price increase for Medical Insurance (Flexicare).

OPEN POSITIONS

Please refer to our Careers page (click here or scan the QR code) for the positions we are currently looking to fill across the group.

Internal applications, please let your HOD and property HR Manager know if you are interested in applying.
External applications are only being received via our careers page.

TO BE WELCOMING GENUINE AND WARM

NEW STARTERS

Many new staff members have joined us over the last few months. We thank everyone who shares our culture with these new members of the TRP team, and ensures that they are genuinely and warmly welcomed!

A very warm welcome to the following team members at The Royal Portfolio:

TO RECOGNISE, REWARD AND UPLIFT

The Silo Hotel

A huge congratulations to Khuselwa Kolweni and Anele Smayile who got a promotion this week, Khuselwa has been promoted from a Barista to Waiter, and Anele from Runner to Junior Barista! Well done to you both - we are so proud of your hard work and dedication.