Biron Kock and Kholiwe Grootboom
This August, we had the privilege of welcoming two bright interns, Kholiwe Grootboom and Biron Kock, for a four-week Hospitality Skills Development Programme overseen by our Hotel Operations team, Le Roux Malan (Hotel Operations Manager) and Nico Keyter (Assistant Hotel Operations Manager).
The initiative, created in partnership with the Pebbles Project, is designed to give young people hands-on experience across the hotel’s key departments: Porter and Grounds Services, Housekeeping, Reception, and Food & Beverage in the Wine Lounge. Each rotation offered new challenges, fresh lessons, and the chance to discover what makes a boutique hotel thrive.
For Kholiwe, the highlight was discovering the art of housekeeping. “I really enjoyed the housekeeping part the most,” she shared. “It gave me a sense of pride to see a room perfectly prepared and welcoming for a guest.”
For Biron, it was the energy and variety of porter and grounds services that stood out. “I loved working as a porter and helping around the grounds,” he said. “It felt good to make sure everything looked perfect for our guests’ arrival.”
Beyond the technical training – from room preparation to guest interaction and fine dining etiquette – the programme placed strong emphasis on soft skills such as teamwork, communication, and professionalism. With guidance from Le Roux and Nico, along with weekly assessments, the interns were encouraged to build confidence, refine their presentation, and strengthen the qualities that are so vital in hospitality.
At the end of their journey, both Kholiwe and Biron received a Certificate of Completion and a formal reference letter – tangible recognition of their hard work and growth.
For us at Vergenoegd Löw, hosting interns is about more than sharing knowledge. It’s about opening doors and creating opportunities for passionate young people who represent the future of hospitality in the Cape Winelands.
We are proud of what Kholiwe and Biron achieved during their time with us and look forward to seeing where their journeys will take them.