As the University of Johannesburg (UJ) celebrates 21 years of impact, the School of Tourism and Hospitality (STH) has honoured the legacy of the Kerzner family through its inaugural Butch Kerzner Memorial Lecture. Held at the Kerzner Building, located at UJ’s Bunting Road campus, the lecture brought together students, alumni, academics and industry leaders for a conversation focused on leadership, service, community and the enduring impact of people in tourism and hospitality.

The lecture featured the CEO of Platinum Hospitality Holdings, Anton Gillis, who recently succeeded his father, renowned hotelier and co-founder of Protea Hotels, Arthur Gillis. Arthur Gillis is also the first recipient of the STH Golden Circle Alumnus, an award that recognised his contribution to the growth and development of the hospitality industry in South Africa. Anton shared personal stories and lessons from a career spanning decades in the industry. His central message was simple yet powerful: effective hospitality begins with genuinely seeing and valuing people.

Learning from an industry leader

The engagement began earlier in the day, when Gillis met with first-year students studying towards a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management in an intimate classroom session. The interaction allowed students to engage directly with an experienced industry professional and gain practical insights into building a career in hospitality.

Later in the day, the wider STH community gathered for the public lecture under the theme, “The Power of Community: Building Tourism and Hospitality Legacies that Endure.”

For Gillis, the theme was rooted in the people who have shaped his own journey.

Reflecting on his childhood and professional career, he shared stories of mentors, colleagues and frontline employees whose actions influenced his understanding of leadership, dignity and service.

One of the recurring messages was the importance of seeing people – recognising their contribution, understanding their potential and ensuring that they feel valued. Rather than viewing hotels simply as physical spaces, Gillis encouraged the audience to consider the role that hospitality plays in people’s lives.

“Hotels provide the setting for many of life’s important moments,” he explained, “but it is the people who create the experiences and memories that guests carry with them.”

From a porter whose ability to understand guests was overlooked by management, to supervisors who demonstrated that high standards and compassion can coexist, Gillis’s stories illustrated the importance of recognising the human contribution behind every hospitality experience.

“Community exists when people feel that they are seen; that they matter and that they belong.”

A legacy that creates opportunity

The choice of venue added particular significance to the occasion. The Kerzner Building is closely connected to the history and development of the School of Tourism and Hospitality and reflects the Kerzner family’s longstanding contribution to education and the development of future tourism and hospitality professionals. For generations of students, the building has represented more than a place of learning. It has been a gateway to opportunity, innovation, and engagement with the tourism and hospitality industry.

The family’s contribution extends beyond the building itself. Following the passing of Butch Kerzner in 2006, the family established the Butch Kerzner Memorial Bursary Trust, which continues to support academically deserving students who require financial assistance to complete their studies. To date, the trust has supported 131 beneficiaries. Through this ongoing support, the Kerzner legacy continues to create opportunities for students to pursue their academic and professional aspirations.

Inspiring the next generation

For students preparing to enter a rapidly changing tourism and hospitality industry, Gillis’s message extended beyond inspiration. He encouraged young professionals to embrace the craft of hospitality, gain experience through service, learn from colleagues at every level of an organisation and avoid rushing the process of becoming a hospitality professional.

First-year Bachelor of Hospitality Management student Lucas Dzumba said the engagement had challenged him to think differently about his own future. “It was truly inspirational, and we got to learn a lot from his experience and insights. It was really a wake-up call for us to work hard, put ourselves out there, take opportunities, and explore.”

The message of the inaugural Butch Kerzner Memorial Lecture ultimately extended beyond hospitality. It was a reminder that lasting organisations, careers and communities are built through people – through mentorship, opportunity, service and the relationships that shape us. The Kerzner legacy continues not simply through a building or a bursary fund, but through the students whose lives are changed by the opportunities created for them.

STH Director, Prof Diane Abrahams, said the inaugural memorial lecture has provided an opportunity not only to remember a significant figure, but also to reflect on how a legacy can continue to influence and transform lives.