On 28 February 2022, the CUT Hotel school hosted its Annual Excellence Awards ceremony to recognise and honour the Hotel Schools’ top-achieving students.

In her address, Dr Dalene Crowther, acting Head of the Hospitality Management Department, mentioned that the day is not only about celebrating success but also failures.“ We are here today to celebrate not only what you have achieved but also the lessons learnt throughout your three years of hard work and picking up from your failures and doing your best again.”

When sharing her life journey and lessons learnt along her career path, Ms Retshepile Khuto, CUT alumnus and Junior Brand Assistant for Newmark Hotels & Reserves, Cape Town, said that growing up, she always knew that she liked the finer things in life. “I used to love watching the TV programme Top Billing and was fascinated by the beautiful life of glitz and glam, and I instantly knew that this was the life I want.”

Retshepile said that her childhood memory persuaded her not to give up on her dream. “I did not give up on myself and what I aspired for in life. There were some rough patches and bumpy rides along the way, but that did not deter me from attaining my goals. I am content with the person I have become and am very grateful for where I am today. When the going gets tough, we usually forget about our little milestones, congratulating ourselves or taking a moment even to encourage ourselves,” she said.

She further said that her first year at the university was intimidating, but she did not let that get in her way to success. “The hotel school was not a walk in the park. We worked hard every day, and that was daunting. In the years to come, I learnt that when it intimidates you, show up, do your best, and make sure you come out a better person. I have done it and have failed so many times, but I still got up because I had to do it for myself. Remember that whatever you do, put in the effort because someone is watching. Many of us have goals; who you are right now is not the person you need to be to get to the cross line. I may not know where the destination is, but I know that I am the dream.”

Ms Retshepile Khuto was born and bred in the Free State, Botshabelo township. She Graduated in January 2015 with a Diploma in Hospitality Management and is now settled in Cape Town.

The Hotel School is now offering a Postgraduate Diploma in Hospitality Management (NQF8) which will also be on the award list.

Caption

CUT alumnus and guest speaker, Ms Retshepile Khuto, Junior Brand Assistant at Newmark Hotels & Reserves, Cape Town.

Uploaded: 03 March 2022