BUILDING CAREERS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA’S GROWING TOURISM INDUSTRY
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING FOR THE TOURISM SERVICES
The College provides professional training to unemployed men and women from impoverished rural backgrounds, to equip them to take up skilled positions in the nature-based tourism industry. In addition to hospitality training, the college offers tracker training through its Tracker Academy. Graduates are able to return to their communities as entrepreneurs with small tourism businesses, or to work as part of the local eco-tourism industry within or around conservation areas.
How you can help
graduates and employment
TEACHING SKILLS NEEDED TO GROW OUR ECO-TOURISM INDUSTRY
TOTAL NUMBER GRADUATED SINCE 2001
STUDENTS CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN COURSES
Hospitality Academy
The Hospitality Academy teaches operational and management skills to students seeking a career in the lodge and guesthouse industry. These include culinary courses and hospitality skills.
Tracker Academy
Tracker Academy trains disadvantaged people in traditional skills of wildlife tracking. Our training programme is accredited with CATHSSETA and endorsed by FGASA.
Creating solutions for our
future in tourism
SA College for Tourism (SACT) is a registered non-profit organisation and was established in 2001 by Dr. Anton Rupert under the auspices of the Peace Parks Foundation in partnership with the Rupert Family Foundations, international agencies and public donors.
The College was founded as an instrument of capacity building and economic empowerment institution aimed at young, disadvantaged, rural women (demographically worst affected by unemployment). Through its Hospitality Training Division which is linked to eco-tourism, the SACT has dedicated itself to the upliftment, promotion and upskilling of these young individuals.
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Recent News
Women ‘on the spoor’
Africa. She is the third female student to be accepted into the specialised wildlife tracking course at the SACT Tracker Academy.
André Kilian – always in our hearts
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of André Kilian, beloved former CEO of the SA College for Tourism. As we all are reeling from the shock of his untimely passing, it is hard to find suitable words to pay tribute to this truly remarkable man.
Fabulous display of talent in Master Chef-style cook-off
Operating under the auspices of Peace Parks Foundation, the hospitality training division of SACT annually trains up to 95 young, unemployed and unskilled individuals (mostly women – above 95%) from rural southern Africa, to equip them to take up skilled positions in the nature-based tourism industry.
SACT – Our Journey
2001
SA College for Tourism established by Dr. Anton Rupert. Official opening done by Mrs. Huberte Rupert and First Lady Zanele Mbeki.
2002
First graduation of Hospitality students.
2005
Mrs. Gaynor Rupert elected as Chairperson of the Board.
2008
First Gregorio Raymo Award: Portofino, Italy.
2010
Tracker Academy is established by Mrs. Gaynor Rupert.
2011
SACT Hospitality Training Division’s 10 year anniversary and first student reunion.
2012
SACT Hospitality Training Division: Receives BHP Billiton Achiever Award: Best Training Programme in Tourism.
SACT Hospitality Training Division: Receives Mail & Guardian – Investing in the Future Education Award.
2013
Tracker Academy: Habituation programme: Pantanal, Brazil.
Tracker Academy: Conducted its inaugural accredited Lead Tracker programme.
2014
Opening of Drostdy Hotel as a wholly owned subsidiary of the SA College for Tourism.
Tracker Academy: Finalist for Tourism for Tomorrow Award.
2015
First annual Fab Chef competition launched.
2019
10 Year Anniversary of Tracker Academy attended by King Letsie III from Lesotho.
Executive Director André Kilian retired.
2020
Mariette Ferreira appointed as Executive Director.
2021
Wellness Therapist Assistant Programme launched.
SA College for Tourism’s 20 Year anniversary.
” As a 5-star Safari Operator, we are exceptionally proud to offer many of the interns full time employment on completion of their work placements, at our various properties. We look forward to hosting many more SACT interns in the coming years and growing our partnership.”
Annual and Progress Reports
The SA College for Tourism publishes progress and annual reports, which are available to download on our ABOUT page. Our latest resports can be downloaded and viewed in PDF format.
VIEW ANNUAL AND PROGRESS REPORTS
Partners & Sponsors
The SA College for Tourism is a non-profit organisation that operates under the auspices of Peace Parks Foundation. It was established in 2001 by Dr Anton Rupert, renowned financier and philanthropist and at the time chairman of Peace Parks Foundation, and developed in partnership with the Rupert Family Foundations, as well as other international agencies and public donors.
- Anel Trust
- Anglo American Chairman’s Fund
- Bergplaas Seat of the Spirit of the Wild
- Conservation International through Conservation SA
- Distell Development Trust
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Dr Edwin de la Harpe Hertzog
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Drostdy Hotel
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Escape Safari Co (Pty) Ltd.
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Firearms Management Services (Pty) Ltd.
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Fox Browne Creative cc
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Hans Hoheisen Charitable Trust
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Helen Gurley Brown Foundation
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Henry H Bacon Estate
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Itumeleng Community Trust
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Jagersfontein Developments (Pty) Ltd
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Koos & Rona Rupert Educational Trust
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L’Ormarins (Pty) Ltd.
- Londolozi Game Reserve
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Marsh (Pty) Ltd.
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Mr Dillie & Mrs Riette Malherbe and Namco Share Investments (Pty) Ltd.
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Mr Jeremy & Mrs Britta Lloyd (Lloyd Family Foundation
- Mr Nick Jonsson and Jonsson Workwear (Pty) Ltd.
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Mr Niel & Mrs Nelia Hoogenhout (Seetuin Beleggings [Edms] Bpk)
- Mr Stephen Falcke
- Mr Tom & Mrs Linda Rawles (Operation Pachamama)
- Mr Ulrich & Mrs Doris Gerber
- Mr Werner Myburgh
- Mrs Beth Kushner
- Mrs Deborah Calmeyer & ROAR Africa
- Mrs Francesca Saager (Stiftung Exekia)
- Mr Glenn and Mrs Inna van Heerden
- † Mrs Irene Staehelin
- Mrs Leigh Ord
- Ms Marianne Schiller von Meyenburg
- Nedbank Eyethu Community Trust
- Peace Parks Foundation
- Rand Merchant Bank
- Remgro Limited
- Rupert Family Foundations
- SA Airlink (Pty) Ltd.
- Samara Private Game Reserve
- SANParks
- Singita Game Reserve
- The TK Foundation
- Thornybush
- Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve and Tswalu Foundation
Contact Us
SA College for Tourism
Magazine Hill
Graaff-Reinet
6280
South Africa
+27 (0) 49 892 2244
info@sactgr.co.za