Cresta invests in human capital
Keikantse Lesemela | Monday May 5, 2014 14:00
“At the core of our growth strategy is human resources. As Cresta Marakanelo we give due respect to the human resource as we are who we are because of this essential resource”, said Makaya.
He highlighted that the acquisition of this 65 bedroomed hotel has increased the total staff complement of Cresta Marakanelo to 970 making it the leading employer in the hotel industry. “We therefore have an obligation to set the bar higher than our competitors, bearing in mind that any strategy that we have put in place, be it operational or growth related, depends mainly on the active and passionate involvement of our human resource”, said Makaya. Among other improvements on employee benefits is the facilitation of personal bank loans scheme at an interest rate of prime plus one percent for all employees, funeral policy which extends to spouses and children, group life assurance currently valued at two years of each employees’ basic salary and study loans for academic programmes aligned to increased productivity.
Five years ago, the group compiled a growth strategy both for the country and the region as a whole. Makaya said the acquisition of this hotel therefore is a testimony that their strategy was not just theory, but was followed by focused action.
Makaya explained that since the implementation of this growth strategy, they have realised other achievements by opening Cresta Mahalapye Hotel and Cresta Golfview Hotel in Lusaka, Zambia. “Alongside our growth strategy is also our refurbishment strategy which has been hugely successful. To date our other existing hotels have been refurbished, with Cresta Rileys’ currently ongoing and expected to be completed by September this year”.