Meet Meropa’s Bongani
“My love for food and travel made being a chef my first career choice, but it was ‘too hot’ in the kitchen so I switched to the hotel management side of hospitality instead,” said Bongani Sikosana.
Sikosana (31) started as operations manager at Meropa Casino and Entertainment World as an intern in the industry after he had completed a national diploma in hotel management and worked his way up, and four years later he’s still doing well. His role as the hotel manager entails resort maintenance, tenants and service provider management.
“On a daily basis my responsibilities sponsibilities include a property walk- about, checking customer feedback to fix any issues raised, ensuring all service providers iders and tenants are offering the highest level evel of service in their respective areas and my personal favourite - planning and executing all types of events,” Sikosana said. d.
He oversees 12 employees ees in the hotel, operations and maintenance department and describes his leadership style as transformational as he understands what needs to change and empowers his team to achieve the milestones. “Being selected through talent mobility as Meropa’s new operations manager while being the hotel manager for three years was a career highlight for me. My strengths are discipline and ensuring things are done at set times; mes; creativity, dedication and d determination is what drives ives me,” he said.
Sikosana has key people who contributed to his success by mentoring him; current general manager Sammy Mokhele, Peter Guthrie, Charlene Ludick, Wild Coast general manager Peter Tshidi, Christel Carstens, Wayne Hill and Andria Van Der Burg, just to name a few. “I enjoy nature as well as keeping fit. I can be found hiking at least twice a month. I also enjoy woodwork and travelling,” he said.
Being a spontaneous individual, Sikosana’s target is to visit 200 countries in his lifetime. “I have been to 10 countries so far and some of my favourites are Thailand and Dubai, he said. He had also attained a lifesaving certificate after he had saved an individual from drowning. “This was when I vowed to myself that no one would drown in my presence, especially for someone who loves swimming as well.”
Sikosana aims to continue studying courses that will lead to him achieving his MBA. He’s also working towards being a future general manager within the casino gaming industry. “My advice to individuals within the same industry is that anything and everything is possible, but it will be determined by your hard work and dedication to what you do in your respective
department.”