Maropeng staff graduate from mentorship programme

December 13, 2011 – Bianca Bothma

Maropeng staff members continue to grow and succeed in their jobs thanks to a fantastic mentorship programme run by the Visitor Centre of the Cradle of Humankind.

Staff members who made it through the programme, Connecting Service Warriors, were awarded certificates of achievement.

The programme is about senior managers mentoring supervisors in an effort to groom them to become future managers. They are taught how to manage and motivate staff and how to build a team.

This is the first time this programme has been run and Maropeng Curator and HR manager Lindsay Marshall says that, while it was a tough process, it was nevertheless a success.

“It was a challenging 18 months engaging with management, who served as mentors and worked long hours. There were five very special supervisors who made it through
and graduated.”

The tourist guide and current operations supervisor at Sterkfontein Caves, Reuben Tsime, was awarded best supervisor. Reuben says the programme taught him a lot. “I now know it is important to encourage and motivate staff first before giving instructions.”

Maropeng Food and Beverage Manager Patrick Mutavhatsindi mentored Tsime. “I learnt so much from Patrick,” says Tsime; “He taught me that as a leader you don’t have to use the power of your position. Instead, you need to lead by example so that staff can follow.”

At the ceremony, staff members also received awards for long service – 24 employees celebrated five years with the company. “Maropeng recognises the loyalty and support of its longstanding employees,” says Marshall.

Boat ride operator Samson Mqwati was thrilled to win an award. “Having worked at Maropeng for five years is a real blessing for me. I thank management of this magnificent place for allowing me chance to be part of the Maropeng story. I have learnt to work with different people and to express myself and I am hoping to learn more and grow as a person.”

Another staff member recognised for long service was Aaron Konopi, a waiter at the Maropeng Hotel. He says that finding a company that invests in staff members’ growth is not easy. “I’m so excited,” says Konopi. “I never thought I would get to work here and am looking forward to the next five years. At Maropeng we are not taken for granted, as training and opportunities for growth are always here.”

News comments powered by Disqus