On the 23^rd of April 2024, the University of Pretoria’s Career Services Department arranged a general career fair. The University of Pretoria Campus Tours (UPCT) team interacted with three organisations in the travel and hospitality world: Emirates, Tourvest Destination Management, and Kapama Private Game Reserve. From crafting adventures to safeguarding wildlife sanctuaries and connecting the globe through the skies, each organisation radiated a distinct aura of excellence and vision.

The UPCT team engaged with Rosemarie Victor and Andrea Hand from Tourvest Destination Management (TDM). This company stands as a beacon of excellence in the travel industry, particularly within the vibrant landscapes of sub-Saharan Africa. As an integral arm of Tourvest Holdings Pty Ltd, it carves a niche in the realms of inbound tourism, corporate travel, and events management, with a steadfast commitment to sustainable practices and excellent client service.

UPCT went on to meet Christiaan Steyn, (UP alumni from the Department of Historical and Heritage Studies), and Cherise Matthee from Kapama Private Game Reserve. Kapama Private Game Reserve is located between the northern Drakensberg mountains and the Greater Kruger National Park region, being the largest single-owner game reserve in the area. It spans over 15,000 hectares, offering luxury lodges, spa facilities, and Big Five wildlife encounters.

Last but not least, the team interacted with Emirates, represented by Ilzé-Dene Oberholzer. From its iconic hub in Dubai to the farthest reaches of six continents, Emirates’s legacy of excellence soared above the clouds, propelled by a commitment to innovation, diversity, and sustainability.

This convergence of industry juggernauts and eager minds symbolised more than mere career prospects, it exemplified a shared dedication to community, learning, and growth. For UPCT, this encounter was not just about showcasing career pathways; it was about fostering connections, nurturing dreams, and paving the way for collaborative endeavours that go beyond borders and boundaries.

In embracing educational initiatives like the University of Pretoria career fair, Emirates, TDM, and Kapama reaffirmed their commitment to not just destinations, but to the people who inhabit them, as well as educating those who will be the industry’s future leaders. UPCT guides, Louisa, Heike, and Veronique, also had the privilege of guiding the Kapama and TDM team through our beautiful Hatfield Campus. They showcased how UP is more than just an institution, it is an attraction with a rich history, modern stories and a touristic charm. 

Photograph, from left to right: Veronique and Gugulethu (UPCT), Ilzé-Dene Oberholzer (Emirates), Rosemarie Victor and Andrea Hand (Tourvest Destination Management), Cherise Matthee and Christiaan Steyn (Kapama Private Game Reserve), Mzingaye, Heike and Angelique (UPCT)