Page 25 - KZN Top Business Portfolio - EBOOK 2019

Operations Director at Tsogo Sun that comes with that, are vital. Of course there are
S AMANTHA CROFT is Tsogo Sun’s first female to look for solutions and move forward as a team. It’s
challenges, but they’re all part of a great job. You have
important to solve issues together and put policies and
operations director.
procedures in place so you don’t repeat the mistakes,”
Mandated with supporting the management
team in driving the hotel operations in she says.
the province, Croft’s strong knowledge and Her vast experience in the industry has seen Croft
understanding of the hospitality and tourism sector, gather a keen sense of what Durban needs to make it
especially in strategic business development and in the best destination for locals and visitors.
driving corporate social responsibility initiatives has “There is an amazing atmosphere down here and
catapulted her to the region’s leading role. it’s fascinating to watch the changes.”
Over a 26-year career in the industry, she has She added that the Elangeni and Maharani complex
focused on building and developing young talent and – Tsogo Sun’s biggest and most profitable hotel in the
has diligently supported the community, stakeholder group has been reaping the rewards of the improved
and government initiatives to achieve tourism goals precinct as both the corporate and tourist markets
in the city.
are rising.
“It is my honour to be appointed to this key position With a keen eye for detail, Croft is constantly keeping
in the Durban region. Tsogo Sun is committed to abreast with tourism trends and developments and is
building a talent pool of highly skilled professionals keen to explore areas for improvement.
focusing our commitment to service excellence. As
a hotelier, I am passionate about growing new talent “I am committed to customer service and also
and bringing a distinctive and stronger Tsogo Sun strive to create a pleasant working environment for
touch to our city,” said Croft. all. I am keenly interested in developing people and
have implemented a Rooms Skills Programme for the
Following her graduation in Hospitality and Tourism Group which is now run on a national level within
Management, Croft joined Southern Sun hotels. She the organisation,” says Croft.
briefly ventured off to The Palace of the Lost City
for 18 months before taking on general management She highly recommends working in the hospitality
roles at Garden Court De Waal, Southern Sun North industry to those considering a career in tourism.
Beach and Southern Sun Elangeni and Maharani “If you have a positive attitude, love people and
Hotel where she successfully oversaw the multi- enjoy a busy environment, there’s no better career,”
million rand refurbishment project, Croft is now she says. “
confidently steering the ship to attain top tier results.
“My mantra is ‘hire for attitude, train for skill’. In
Despite the huge demands and challenges faced as order to live this, it is imperative that I create an
the first female regional leader in hospitality on the environment conducive to growth. I believe without
Golden Mile, Croft still finds a tremendous amount this, I would not be surrounded by a competent team
of joy in her work. of individuals.
The most important aspect of the hospitality “I firmly believe in a ‘hands-on’ approach and
industry, she says, is to have the right attitude. investing time in individuals, by personally imparting
“Sincerity and willingness to serve, and the dedication knowledge from personal experience.”

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