Tourism College Explains Why It Has Closed

THE Namibia Hotel & Tourism College opened it doors in January 2003 to ensure a better future for all Namibians.

Being in line with the principles set out in Vision 2030, the

College, with the support from Ministry of Higher Education,

Training and Employment Creation, had high hopes of getting funding

through a soft loan and from the Development Fund of Namibia.

The College started in good faith with myself, Vicky Greyling,

as managing director working with five teachers and lecturers, one

of whom, Mr Liam Smith, was a director, 14 administrative and

maintenance staff and twelve students.

 

As managing director I invested my finances, time and efforts

into the college, with support from the other two directors, Mr

Smith and Mr Andrew Matjila, staff and students.

 

Unfortunately, not having endeavoured any thing of this kind

before, we did not have clear guidelines on how to apply for

financial assistance.

 

After having gone from one Ministry after the other looking for

support, we only learnt in August 2003 from an employee of the

Ministry of Finance that all grants or soft loans from any sort

must go through the National Planning Commission.

 

This was immediately followed up with an appointment with the

Director General who was extremely helpful.

 

Since then I had three meetings and various e-mail discussions

with the NPC.

 

Through the NPC various letters was sent to overseas bodies for

help.

The Namibia Hotel & Tourism College also approached various

countries through the consulates for a soft loan.

 

This was only done in November on advice of the NPC.

Despite having no external financial support, we tried to keep the

college alive with personal bank loans, volunteer trainers and

tuition fees from the students.

 

Huge debts were incurred in the faith that we would be able to

secure external funding because of the College meeting so many of

Namibia's development principles.

 

The vision of the Namibia Hotel & Tourism College was and is

to open doors to students who are not necessarily strong

academically.

 

Through a combination of academic subjects based on the business

world and a strong practical training, our students would be able

to pursue a career that will enrich and upgrade their lifestyles in

practical ways.

 

We specialise in training students for jobs in hotel management,

food and beverage management, front office and customer management,

and secretarial and office practices for the hospitality

sector.

 

Due to the high debt incurred in 2003, the Namibia Hotel &

Tourism College had to temporarily close its doors in November.

 

I am, however, confident that with our business plan and

objectives we have a high chance of obtaining external funding

and/or soft loans in 2004.

To all those who supported us in the past year, my sincere

gratitude.

It was not an easy year.

 

In good faith, I was convinced that we would have secured

funding still in 2003.

 

Should you have any queries or be interested in the business

opportunities we offer, do not hesitate to contact me

ria@mweb.com.na, PO Box 2714, Swakopmund or cell. (264-)

81-128-3628.

 

- Vicky Greyling - Managing Director

 

Note: This letter has been shortened

 

The College started in good faith with myself, Vicky Greyling, as

managing director working with five teachers and lecturers, one of

whom, Mr Liam Smith, was a director, 14 administrative and

maintenance staff and twelve students. As managing director I

invested my finances, time and efforts into the college, with

support from the other two directors, Mr Smith and Mr Andrew

Matjila, staff and students.Unfortunately, not having endeavoured

any thing of this kind before, we did not have clear guidelines on

how to apply for financial assistance. After having gone from one

Ministry after the other looking for support, we only learnt in

August 2003 from an employee of the Ministry of Finance that all

grants or soft loans from any sort must go through the National

Planning Commission. This was immediately followed up with an

appointment with the Director General who was extremely helpful.

Since then I had three meetings and various e-mail discussions with

the NPC. Through the NPC various letters was sent to overseas

bodies for help.

The Namibia Hotel & Tourism College also approached various

countries through the consulates for a soft loan. This was only

done in November on advice of the NPC.

Despite having no external financial support, we tried to keep the

college alive with personal bank loans, volunteer trainers and

tuition fees from the students. Huge debts were incurred in the

faith that we would be able to secure external funding because of

the College meeting so many of Namibia's development principles.The

vision of the Namibia Hotel & Tourism College was and is to

open doors to students who are not necessarily strong academically.

Through a combination of academic subjects based on the business

world and a strong practical training, our students would be able

to pursue a career that will enrich and upgrade their lifestyles in

practical ways. We specialise in training students for jobs in

hotel management, food and beverage management, front office and

customer management, and secretarial and office practices for the

hospitality sector.Due to the high debt incurred in 2003, the

Namibia Hotel & Tourism College had to temporarily close its

doors in November. I am, however, confident that with our business

plan and objectives we have a high chance of obtaining external

funding and/or soft loans in 2004.

To all those who supported us in the past year, my sincere

gratitude.

It was not an easy year. In good faith, I was convinced that we

would have secured funding still in 2003.Should you have any

queries or be interested in the business opportunities we offer, do

not hesitate to contact me ria@mweb.com.na, PO Box 2714, Swakopmund

or cell. (264-) 81-128-3628.- Vicky Greyling - Managing

DirectorNote: This letter has been shortened

---