Recognising Excellence

The Silver Spoon Awards thank the people of the Bidvest Premier Lounges for their outstanding service which result in guests looking forward to spending time in the lounges when travelling.

Long Service Award

The purpose of the long service award is to recognise and demonstrate the appreciation of loyalty and commitment of long serving employees. This applies to all employees who have completed five, 10, and 20 years continuous paid service. These employees are the backbone of the Bidvest Premier Lounge and examples within our operation for any new member who joins the team.

Five Years: Rito Hlongwane, Emelda Sepuru, Malcom Louw, Zukiswa Tshazwa, Mpho Chauke, Edgar Zumat, and Anna Kolisang.

10 Years: Frederica Maditse, Anastacia Manyathela, Xolile Sithole, Vinolia Mpayi, and Adolphinah Somo.

20 Years: Bev O Connor Learnership Category

The Generic Management course is a learnership that covers the skills needed to be an effective manager. The qualification is intended to empower learners to acquire knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values required to operate confidently as managers and to respond to the challenges of the economic environment and changing working world. The learnership is a 12-month programme that consists of 124 credits. These learners have just recently completed the learnership: Yoliswa France, Isaac Mokoka, Malini Naicker, and Tanya Emery.

Awards

It is said that it is easy to sit up and take notice. What is difficult is standing up and taking action. With the Silver Spoon Awards, we celebrated the enthusiasm, commitment, consistency, and sheer hard work of those who have stood out from mediocrity. Lounge Attendant Category:

The winner is Ennie Ndayi, who takes extraordinary pride in her job. Guests often compliment her on her good customer service, she loves to assist passengers, and she always goes the extra mile. When passengers arrive, many specifically ask for her.

Food and Beverage Attendant Category: The winner is Zacharia Somo who is hard working and reliable, takes pride in his work, and is always ready to help in the lounge. He is always on time and knows his food and beverage products very well, as he can easily recommend and explain the beverages to passengers. He also helps with the par level of all the alcohol including the wines. He is a team player and can also work unsupervised. He is easy to work with and works hard to make sure that his work meets the lounge standards and guest satisfaction. He has a good relationship with suppliers and drivers. He is valuable and loyal – he also receives positive feedback from passengers and mystery shoppers regarding the beverage fridges.

Kitchen Award Category:

The winner is Mbuti Mokhampanyane, who has been an asset to the company from day one and always goes beyond expectations and works extremely hard. The whole kitchen team keeps the standard of the kitchen and the lounge very high, and as such contributed tremendously to the excellent QPRO and Mystery Shopper results. They are gems in the lounge and deserve to be noticed and rewarded.

Receptionist Award Category:

The winner is Brian Mbhele. He is a star staff member and such an amazing person to work with; he is very organised and always meets deadlines. Brian is one of the well-known receptionists in the lounge – he is very knowledgeable of the products and advises passengers on their cards. He always tries his utmost to ensure that the customer leaves satisfied with our service.

Administrator Award Category:

Dheeraj Thulseepersadh is the third year consecutive winner. He is the General Manager’s pillar of strength. Dheeraj knows exactly what, when, and how the stock in the lounge is used. Administering the time and attendance system is a breeze for Dheeraj; he is always helpful with assisting everyone.

Service Department Award Category:

This award is to acknowledge the efforts of key individuals within our organisation who do not deal directly with lounge customers but fulfil the internal role of facilitating and assisting in achieving excellent customer service. This category is one that we debated on for a while. We have the honour of electing two award winners in this category: Natasha Ross and Thobile Khumalo.

Assistant Manager Award Category:

These individuals are crucial to the success and achievements of the lounges. The role involves covering shifts in the absence of the General Manager, fulfilling all the responsibilities, and ensuring the success of the lounge. In certain instances these individuals work autonomously in ensuring the lounge operates to the standard required of them with only minimal remote support. We have the honour of electing all three shortlisted nominees as award winners in this category: Michelle Louw, Khensani Maseko, and Lesinda Kapp.

Lounge of the Year Award:

The winner is the O.R. Tambo International Airport Domestic Lounge.

A huge congratulations to all the winners and runners-up, you have definitely set a very admiring benchmark for others to imitate. You have made us extremely proud. We hope that you will continue to achieve brilliance in your respective departments, and thus inspire others within your team to achieve the success and recognition that you have.