Taung tourism school opens for learning

Sport, arts and culture

The people of Taung can look forward to economic development in their area and more job opportunities after the Taung Hotel School and Convention Centre was opened recently.

North West MEC for Tourism Desbo Mohono officially opened the institution in January.

The institution, which has already started accepting students, started operating at full steam from the beginning of this month.

So far, 30 students have already been for the academic year and there is a possibility that more will be accepted towards the middle of the year.

MEC Mohono said the institution would change the socio-economic status of the people of Taung, especially women and youth.

She said the people of Taung should jealously guard the institution, as it would be a hallmark that future generations would be proud of.

“All spheres of government that are affected by youth-development issues have to radically implement ways to lure our youth to have a hunger for education. This is the only way to give them a better life,” said the MEC.

She added that the institution would focus on skills and competencies that were required to grow the tourism economy of the North West in line with the objectives of the National Development Plan, which identifies tourism as one of the key growth sectors of South Africa’s economy.

MEC Mohono said the institution would bring welcome economic development to the Taung region with additional employment opportunities and also boost local businesses.

Neonyana Morolong, a student at the school, said she was grateful to be one of the first students and hoped to finish her studies in record time.

The 35-year-old mother of three wants to be a professional chef and to ultimately own her own restaurant in Taung.

Learners at the school will be offered practical courses in professional cookery, food and beverages and accommodation services for this academic year.

The school will introduce additional courses by June this year, which will include higher education programmes in tourism and hospitality management.

The school will be called The Pentagon and will house an administration block, lecturers’ offices, lecture blocks, male and female students residences, a chapel,