Ziphezinhle Mbongwa
Durban,KwaZulu-Natal
Summary
Customer-oriented hospitality professional with expertise in food and beverage service, front office, housekeeping, and kitchen operations. Delivers exceptional guest experiences and communicates effectively across diverse backgrounds. Skilled in guest relations, reservations, and maintaining high standards of professionalism. Committed to safety and creating memorable moments for guests.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Food and Beverage Attendant
Belaire Suites Hotel
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
2025.12 - Current
- Deliver professional and personalised guest service across breakfast restaurant and bar operations in a fast-paced hospitality environment.
- Welcome guests, take food and beverage orders, and ensure prompt and accurate service while maintaining high service standards.
- Prepare and serve a variety of coffee beverages, cocktails, mocktails, and other drinks according to established recipes and quality standards.
- Assist guests with menu selections, respond to enquiries, and handle guest requests in a professional and friendly manner.
- Support restaurant operations by setting up service areas, maintaining cleanliness, replenishing stock, and ensuring readiness for service periods.
- Work collaboratively with kitchen, bar, and floor teams to ensure smooth daily operations and a positive guest experience.
- Adapt to operational requirements by assisting with waitressing duties and supporting floor service during peak periods and staffing shortages.
- Maintain food safety, hygiene, and health and safety standards in accordance with company policies and procedures.
- Process guest payments accurately and handle cash and card transactions where required.
- Build positive relationships with guests through attentive service, contributing to guest satisfaction and repeat business.
Front Office Intern (Work Integrated Learning)
Emakhosini Boutique Hotel
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
2025.07 - 2025.11
- Contributed to delivering a positive guest experience through excellent customer service.
- Welcomed guests, facilitating smooth check-in and check-out procedures to enhance guest satisfaction.
- Assisted with reservations and booking confirmations.
- Maintained professional communication with guests and colleagues.
- Operated switchboard, managing incoming telephone enquiries to ensure timely and effective communication.
- Handled administrative tasks and maintained accurate guest information to support efficient operations.
Food and Beverage Attendant
Belaire Suites Hotel - Durban, Kwa-Zulu-Natal
Durban, South Africa
2024.12 - 2025.02
- Delivered attentive service to hotel guests during breakfast hours, ensuring a welcoming atmosphere.
- Warmly greeted guests, took orders, and served food and beverages promptly.
- Ensured accurate order delivery while addressing special dietary requests effectively.
- Maintained breakfast area cleanliness, including tables and buffet setup.
- Managed guest inquiries, resolving issues professionally and efficiently.
- Followed health and safety standards with proper food handling and sanitation practices.
- Efficiently provided attentive service to guests during breakfast hours, enhancing their experience.
- Greeted guests warmly, took orders, and promptly served food and beverages.
- Delivered accurate orders while accommodating special dietary needs seamlessly.
- Preserved cleanliness in the breakfast area, managing tables and buffet setup.
- Addressed guest inquiries professionally, resolving any issues quickly.
- Adhered to health standards through diligent food handling and sanitation procedures.
- Offered attentive service during breakfast hours, creating a welcoming environment for guests.
- Warmly greeted guests, managed orders, and delivered food and beverages efficiently.
- Ensured accuracy in order delivery while catering to special dietary requirements.
- Kept breakfast area organized, focusing on table maintenance and buffet presentation.
- Professionally handled guest inquiries to resolve feedback swiftly.
- Complied with health standards by maintaining strict food handling and sanitation protocols.
Housekeeping Intern
Riverside Hotel
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
2024.04 - 2024.06
- Cleaned and serviced guest rooms according to hotel standards.
- Maintained cleanliness and presentation of public areas.
- Replenished guest amenities and housekeeping supplies.
- Assisted with laundry operations, including sorting, folding, and handling linen.
- Reported maintenance issues and room defects when identified.
- Ensured high standards of cleanliness, hygiene, and guest comfort.
Front Office Intern (Work Integrated Learning)
Riverside Hotel
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
2024.03 - 2024.04
- Assisted with guest check-in and check-out procedures.
- Responded to guest enquiries and provided information regarding hotel facilities and services.
- Assisted with reservations and booking administration.
- Maintained accurate guest records and documentation.
- Supported daily front office operations and administrative duties.
- Delivered professional customer service while handling guest requests and concerns.
Food and Beverage Attendant
Belaire Suites Hotel
Durban, South Africa
2023.12 - 2024.02
- Maintained clean and welcoming dining environment, ensuring a positive guest experience.
- Kept server areas clean and stocked to increase efficiency while working tables.
- Exhibited strong multitasking abilities, balancing multiple tables and orders while delivering prompt service.
- Provided attentive and personalized service to guests in a busy restaurant and banquet settings
- Took and delivered food and beverage orders accurately, ensuring guest satisfaction
- Managed multiple tables and coordinated with kitchen and bar staff to ensure smooth service
- Assisted in event setups and served at banqueting functions, handling large groups efficiently
- Prepared and served coffee beverages as a barista, maintaining quality and presentation standards
- Performed bartending duties, mixing drinks and handling cash and card transactions
- Maintained cleanliness and sanitation standards in the dining and bar areas
- Addressed guest inquiries and resolved issues promptly to ensure an excellent dining experience
- Supported team efforts in high-pressure environments, demonstrating flexibility and teamwork
- Ensured compliance with health and safety regulations
Food and Beverage Intern(Work Integrated Learning)
Belaire Suites Hotel
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
2023.10 - 2023.11
- Assisted with restaurant service during breakfast and other meal periods.
- Welcomed guests and provided professional and attentive customer service.
- Assisted with table setup, food service, clearing tables, and maintaining dining area cleanliness.
- Responded to guest requests and ensured a positive dining experience.
- Worked collaboratively with kitchen and service teams to ensure smooth operations.
- Maintained hygiene and food safety standards in accordance with hotel procedures.
Kitchen Intern (Work Integrated Learning)
Belaire Suites Hotel
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
2023.08 - 2023.09
- Assisted with food preparation and kitchen mise en place to ensure timely service delivery.
- Supported chefs during breakfast and à la carte service operations, contributing to smooth kitchen workflow.
- Followed food safety, hygiene, and sanitation procedures.
- Maintained cleanliness and organisation of kitchen workstations to uphold food safety standards.
- Assisted with stock rotation and storage of food products.
- Worked efficiently in a fast-paced kitchen environment while maintaining quality standards
Durban July Food and Beverage Attendant
CSG Afriboom
Durban, South Africa
2023.07 - 2023.07
- Delivered exceptional service to guests at one of Africa’s most prestigious horse racing events.
- Served food and beverage orders accurately while maintaining efficiency in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.
- Managed multiple tables and coordinated with kitchen and bar staff to ensure timely service
- Delivered personalised service and handled special requests for high-profile and VIP guests to enhance their experience.
- Provided a welcoming and professional attitude, ensuring guests had an enjoyable experience
- Resolved guest inquiries and issues promptly to ensure exceptional service quality.
- Ensured adherence to event-specific protocols and safety regulations
- Maintained a polished and professional appearance consistent with the event's standards
- Assisted in clearing tables, maintaining cleanliness, and presentation standards
- Supported team efforts to deliver seamless service during a high-profile, crowded event
Education
Diploma - Hospitality Management
International Hotel School
Durban, South Africa 2023.03 - 2025.11
Skills
- Food and Beverage Service
- Bartending skills
- Event service management
- Front Office Operations
- Reservations Management
- Health and safety
- Attention to Detail
- Multitasking
- Time Management
- Adaptability
- Customer Service Excellence
- Guest Relations
- Communication Skills
- Team collaboration
- Problem Solving
- Microsoft Office Suite
Websites, Portfolios and Profiles
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ziphezinhle-mbongwa-72307b261/
Languages
English
Advanced
IsiZulu
Fluent
References
Name: Vaughn Alexander-Desousa
Job Title: Breakfast Manager
Company: Belaire Suites Hotel
Contact Number: +27 31 332 4485
Email Address: vcbalexander@gmail.com
Name: Precious Khumalo
Job Title: Food & Beverage Coordinator
Company: CSG Afriboom
Contact Number: +27 81 007 4877
Email Address: Fbadminkzn@afriboom.co.za
Name: Kamil Anandhaw
Job Title: Food & Beverage Manager
Company: Belaire Suites Hotel
Contact Number: +27 31 332 4485
Email Address: fbmanager@belairesuites.co.za
Name: Shalini Girdharilall
Job Title: Reservations Manager
Company: Riverside Hotel
Contact Number: +27 31 563 0600
Email Address: rmdiv@riversidehotel.co.za
Company: Emakhosini Boutique Hotel
Contact Number: +27 31 203 4500
Email Address: reservations@emakhosinigroup.com
Timeline
Food and Beverage Attendant
Belaire Suites Hotel
2025.12 - Current
Front Office Intern (Work Integrated Learning)
Emakhosini Boutique Hotel
2025.07 - 2025.11
Food and Beverage Attendant
Belaire Suites Hotel - Durban, Kwa-Zulu-Natal
2024.12 - 2025.02
Housekeeping Intern
Riverside Hotel
2024.04 - 2024.06
Front Office Intern (Work Integrated Learning)
Riverside Hotel
2024.03 - 2024.04
Food and Beverage Attendant
Belaire Suites Hotel
2023.12 - 2024.02
Food and Beverage Intern(Work Integrated Learning)
Belaire Suites Hotel
2023.10 - 2023.11
Kitchen Intern (Work Integrated Learning)
Belaire Suites Hotel
2023.08 - 2023.09
Durban July Food and Beverage Attendant
CSG Afriboom
2023.07 - 2023.07
Diploma - Hospitality Management
International Hotel School
2023.03 - 2025.11