FIFA fever has come to Stenden South Africa
Story and picture by Tamlyn Paterson.
FIFA fever is here and Stenden South Africa is going to join in the action. The students will not be.jpg)
blowing vuvuzelas, making a noise or eating boerie rolls. For the month of the World Cup, Stenden South Africa hospitality students and staff are going to be responsible for the VIP silver service in the hospitality suites for the 8 matches of the FIFA World Cup in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.
Human Talent, a recruitment company and supplier of hospitality staff for all major events, have won the exclusive contract with FIFA to organize waiters, bartenders and supervisors for the VIP villages and skyboxes at all of the games. Human Talent approached Stenden South Africa to ascertain if Stenden South Africa students would be willing to work at the Port Elizabeth matches. Stenden South Africa agreed and the students have since undergone several days of 5 star skills training conducted by European and African trainers of Human Talent.
The planning and coordinating of such an enormous task is being undertaken by Megan Walwyn, Junior Lecturer, and Silke Rumpf, an intern of the Community Development Department. Megan is responsible for the training of the students whilst Silke will focus on the logistics and registration of the students, staff, drivers and security. Students will be transported from Port Alfred in convoy to and from the stadium. Every student will have full accreditation on match days by FIFA, allowing them to enter the stadium. Strict code of conduct rules will be signed by all students in relation to match days and their participation.
The objective of the exercise is to provide an unforgettable hospitality experience to the vast spectrum of guests who will be catered for in the VIP boxes. These guests will vary from business representatives, sponsors, guests of sponsors, FIFA officials, international guests and others who are all assembling to experience a taste of Africa. FIFA is offering a world class hospitality service with a main course (either before or after the match), a half-time snack, pre and post match entrées, hors d’oeuvres and a dessert buffet along with an open bar filled with fine beverages and exclusivity being offered in a luxurious ambiance.
This global event will provide a once in a lifetime opportunity for the 176 Stenden South Africa International Hospitality students and the experience can be documented as a personal career achievement. It is time for the students to demonstrate their talent and create an experience that both the locals and visitors will never forget. Ayoba!
