About STH Fundraising

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INSPIRING PURPOSEFUL COLLABORATION

2025 marks an important milestone for the University of Johannesburg (UJ) as the institution celebrates its 20-year anniversary. Born out of the integration for Rand Afrikaans University (RAU), Technikon Witwatersrand (TWR) and portions of Vista University, UJ was founded on the principles of inclusivity and transformation.

The School of Tourism and Hospitality was established because of the merger; and on 30 August 2005, the Kerzner Building was officially opened. Constructed with the support of funding from industry and the Kerzner family, the custom-built school facilities include administrative offices, classrooms, skills and training facilities, and a multidisciplinary banqueting and conference space. Over the last two decades, the Kerzner building has stood steadfast as a symbol and driver of purposeful collaboration through practical skills training, industry partnerships and commercial enterprise. The world-class facilities have provided excellent teaching and learning spaces for the many students who passed through its doors.

YOUR LEGACY STARTS HERE

The legacy of all the key role-players who contributed to the establishment of the School of Tourism and Hospitality is cemented in the story of the Kerzner Building. Notable funding contributors from industry are the Kerzner family; the Waterford Hotel Group Inc, led by STH alumnus, Len Wolman; Protea Hotels Marriott (formerly Protea Hotels) and the City Lodge Hotel Group. Over time, many other organisations came onboard as sponsors and contributed towards the upkeep of the facilities and provided financial support and placements for the students. Some of these sponsors include, the Stellenbosch Wine Route, the Ciro Coffee Academy, Orion Hotels, Southern Sun (formerly Tsogo Sun Hotels), Flight Centre, AVIS, AHA Hotels and Lodges, Tourvest, Empact Group and Sun International.

The funding support from industry over the years resulted in the establishment of various trust and reserve funds each with a specified purpose and focus. These include the City Lodge-UJ Educational Trust Fund, The Butch Kerzner Memorial Bursary Fund, The Nedbank Research Development Fund, the STH Board Fund, STH Alumni & Industry Reserve Fund, STH Endowment fund and Airbnb Scholarship Fund.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

While the School of Tourism and Hospitality has made great strides over the years to support qualifying and deserving students with bursaries, the need for funding support remains a major challenge. In addition, after 20 years in operation the Kerzner Building requires a revamp and refreshment in terms of the equipment, furnishings, and the building infrastructure for the STH to continue providing quality teaching and learning premises for the next generations.

OUR ASK

Over the 2025/26 academic period, the STH is embarking on fundraising campaign titled: “Your Legacy Starts Here”, inviting staff, students, alumni, and industry partners across different sectors to join our cause and leave a legacy in tourism and hospitality.

Through financial contributions towards the revamp and refresh of the technology, equipment, furnishings, and facilities in the Kerzner Building and/or through assistance with provision of bursaries and financial support for students, we believe working with like-minded individuals and progressive institutions will help change the tide and contribute towards a sustainable future for the next generation of tourism and hospitality innovators, policymakers, thinkers, and doers.

HOW CAN YOU CONTRIBUTE

1. DONATE TOWARDS KERZNER BUILDING CAPEX PROJECT

Engage directly with the school and donate towards the funding of the capital renovation and refurbishment of the Kerzner Building.

2. BECOME A BURSARY SPONSOR

Enter into a partnership agreement with the STH and contribute towards our student bursaries. Based on the value of the sponsorship, this can be a once-off or recurring contribution towards student bursaries, over a duration that can be agreed upon.

3. TAKE UP NAMING RIGHTS

The naming rights agreement can be taken up for up to five years. Naming rights agreements affords your brand unparalleled exposure to the youth market, as well as mature markets in the form of students, staff, and industry partners. The brand association with the STH and the UJ brands presents added value, harnessing recognition, awareness, and affinity. Funding contributions towards the naming rights can be made in one or two instalments for the upkeep of the facilities.

4. PLEDGE TOWARDS THE ALUMNI/INDUSTRY PLAQUE CAMPAIGN

Support the STH Alumni and Industry plaque pledge initiative. Make a pledge on a once-off or recurring basis towards the plaque initiative and receive a personalized plaque with your individual or company name engraved. The plaques are erected and showcased in various sites of the school buildings. Based on the value of the pledge, the plaques are allocated through the following categories:

Click here to place an order for your plaque

*Please e-mail your proof of payment with your Name and Surname/Company Name and Donation amount to Ms. Adila Adams at adilaa@uj.ac.za.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU

Whether you choose to give bursaries or our CAPEX project, as the School of Tourism and Hospitality, we are committed to good governance when administering funds on behalf of donors. As a partner who invests in our school, your organization can benefit as follows:

Tax Benefits:Bona fide donations qualify for tax rebates in terms of Section 18A of the Income Tax Act as amended
Company BEE-EE score: By donating student bursaries, corporate companies could increase their BBB-EE points through investing in the skills development of unemployed youth. All qualifying donations will receive a letter confirming their BBB-EE scoring status.
Goodwill and Public Good:Beyond the public relations and branding opportunities that come with being a donor, there is great, intangible, and long-lasting value in being part of the STH legacy. As we have demonstrated over the last 20 years, we are for generations to come and doing public goodwill do your organization good

CONTACT US

For more information contact

#STH50 – STH Endowment Fund

The STH Endowment Fund was launched in 2019, coinciding with the School marking the 50 year anniversary of its legacy institutions.

The ambitious goal is to raise R5 million which will contribute towards the STH endeavor to source new technology and infrastructure in support of the fourth-industrial revolution advances in the Tourism and Hospitality sector (state of the art conference facilities; SMART kitchens etc). The Endowment Fund will also contribute towards kick-starting relevant executive and short-learning programmes required by the sector

#STHBeTheSolution

In an effort to continually support our students the STH in 2016, partnered with industry and alumni to raise funds to support the “Missing Middle” student initiative. More than R2.2 million was raised and the funds raised have assisted 40 students to continue and or complete their studies in Tourism and Hospitality Management in the 2017 academic year.

#STHBeTheSolution Pledge Form