PONANI HOPE SHIRINDA
Phalaborwa
Summary
Hospitality professional with extensive experience in luxury lodges and boutique properties. Proven expertise in front office operations and guest services, leading to successful management roles focused on team development and guest satisfaction. Committed to service excellence and proactive problem-solving, consistently enhancing the guest experience. Recognized for attention to detail and ability to manage complex guest needs while maintaining high hospitality standards.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Lodge Manager
Royal Ingwe River Lodge
02.2024 - Current
- Guest welcome, check-in/check-out, and relationship management
- Reservation oversight and coordination with central team
- Admin tasks: email management, recordkeeping
- Billing, reconciliation, and cash handling
- Staff training, SOP adherence
- Coordination with F&B and housekeeping departments
Front Office Supervisor
Royal Malewane
03.2022 - 02.2024
- Company Overview: The Royal Portfolio
- Supervised reception/reservations team
- VIP guest handling and concierge support
- Managed room allocations and reservations
- Financial and guest account oversight
- Liaised with multiple departments to ensure guest satisfaction
- The Royal Portfolio
Assistant Front Office Manager
Makalali Private Game Lodge
07.2016 - 02.2022
- Company Overview: AHA Hotels & Tourvest Group
- Led team of 5 receptionists and night auditor
- Reservation and guest communications
- Check-in/out processes and billing
- Transport logistics and driver schedules
- Inventory orders and curio stocktaking
- Night audits and debtor statements
- Turndown services and administrative filing
- AHA Hotels & Tourvest Group
Receptionist
Coach House Hotel and Spa
08.2013 - 03.2015
- Company Overview: Orion Hotel Group
- Guest check-in/out and reservation processing (Protel system)
- Managed telephone switchboard and email/fax correspondence
- Billing, cash handling, and daily reporting
- Handled guest queries, room checks, and coordinated with departments
- Orion Hotel Group
Receptionist / Reservationist
Hans Merensky Hotel & Spa
04.2012 - 06.2013
- Reservation and quotation management
- Front desk duties and guest support
- Problem-solving and handling special guest requests
- Collaborated with housekeeping and maintenance
- Upselling and guest satisfaction initiatives
Education
GRADE 12 -
Meridian College
Phalaborwa, Limpopo, South Africa01.2010
Skills
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Staff training and mentorship
- Team building
- Front office operations
- Guest relations and reservations
- Billing and reporting accuracy
- Administrative proficiency
- Problem solving and conflict resolution
- Attention to detail
- VIP guest handling and luxury standards
- Multilingual communication
- Time and resource management
- Hospitality systems
Own Vehicle
Yes
Languages Spoken
- English
- Tsonga
- Afrikaans
- Sepedi
- IsiZulu
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 03/10/91
- Availability: Negotiable
References
- Winny Malamule, Reservations Manager, Hans Merensky Hotel & Spa, +27 83 363 0570
- Marius Earle, General Manager, Makalali Private Game Lodge, +27 63 196 9925
- Hannah March, Front Office Manager, Royal Malewane, +27 82 558 5237
- Mapula Chipape, Reservations Manager, Coach House Hotel & Spa, +27 72 025 5951 / +27 15 306 8043
Home Town
Phalaborwa
Citizenship
South African
Timeline
Assistant Lodge Manager
Royal Ingwe River Lodge
02.2024 - Current
Front Office Supervisor
Royal Malewane
03.2022 - 02.2024
Assistant Front Office Manager
Makalali Private Game Lodge
07.2016 - 02.2022
Receptionist
Coach House Hotel and Spa
08.2013 - 03.2015
Receptionist / Reservationist
Hans Merensky Hotel & Spa
04.2012 - 06.2013
GRADE 12 -
Meridian College
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