Raise your hands in the air for the SA College for Tourism! This is how the SA College for Tourism’s (SACT) new intake of students are breaking the ice as their orientation week begins. “Are we ready? Yes! Go!” exclaims Morné Knoetze, SACT Food and Beverage Instructor.  

The passion for meeting, greeting and learning is evident, as 85 fresh-faced classmates find their feet and future friends. As personal journeys and new career opportunities await, the youngsters share their hopes and expectations. They’ll come to depend on each other, their instructors, and their appetite for education throughout the year, before heading out into the world to put their new skills into practice.   

Fun Games and Great Expectations 

During their week-long induction, they dive into collaborative team-building exercises and campus tours. Games and creative activities, dance and quizzes, bring colourful insight into cultural diversity and aspirations. “My expectations for the year are to learn new things, and try to improve in leadership – because there’s a lot of teamwork at the college,” says Simanye Witbooi, college student.  

Serving Sustainable Tourism, People and Nature 

The college, based in Graaff-Reinet, is a non-profit organisation operating with the support of Peace Parks Foundation. It provides professional training to unemployed men and women from impoverished rural backgrounds, to equip them to take up skilled positions in the nature-based tourism industry. In addition to hospitality and wellness training, the college offers tracker training through its Tracker Academy. Graduates are able to return to their communities as entrepreneurs with small tourism businesses, or to work as part of the local eco-tourism industry within or around conservation areas.   

The Road Ahead 

Wrapping up the week was a light-hearted and fun awards ceremony, adding a sense of accomplishment and motivation to carry the students forward – which seems to have made an impact already. “My orientation week experience was very fun,” says Simanye. “I got to meet new people from different provinces, and I’m settling in and having a lot of fun.” Nicolette Du Plessis, her new friend, is also feeling inspired: “My experience was nice – I even learned to say a few things in a new language. I got to meet a lot of new people, new friends, and I’m looking forward to meeting more people, and being exposed to other cultures as well.” 

Stay tuned to Peace Parks TV as we follow their ongoing journey at the SA College for Tourism, and visit sactgr.co.za to learn more.