By: Lonwabo Mtyeku Photo Credit: Supplied
Seen Here: (left to right): Ruben Gooranah, Time Square’s General Manager (middle) was first to congratulate the graduates – Theodora Moeng, PR & Communications Coordinator – Marketing; Percy Lebjane, Dealer – Gaming Tables; Tracy Pretorius, Cluster Revenue Manager, Time Square & The Maslow Hotel; and Clinton Mogase, MVG Hostess – Marketing department. Photo Credit: Supplied
Pretoria, South Africa — In an industry defined by service excellence and customer experience, Sun International’s Time Square precinct is reinforcing a key principle: its people are its greatest asset.
Through an expanding bursary and learnership programme, Time Square Casino Pretoria is investing in the next generation of professionals across hospitality, gaming, and entertainment—transforming jobs into long-term career pathways.
Building Careers, Not Just Filling Roles
At the heart of the initiative is a structured development model combining academic study with practical workplace experience. Since its launch in 2024, the programme has invested over R1.7 million in the development of 49 employees across multiple departments.
Speaking on the initiative, Ruben Gooranah, General Manager of Time Square, emphasised the long-term vision behind the programme.
“In a highly competitive, service-oriented industry, our people are key to our success and sustainability,” he said.
“We view careers at Time Square as a marathon, not a sprint. Our goal is to empower employees to consistently perform at their best while unlocking opportunities for growth.”
Education Meets Industry Experience
The programme offers employees access to formal qualifications, bursaries, and learnerships, blending classroom-based theory with hands-on training in real-world environments.
Recent graduates of the initiative reflect a diverse cross-section of roles within the business, including:
- Marketing and communications professionals advancing digital and brand expertise
- Gaming floor staff strengthening operational and customer engagement skills
- Revenue managers enhancing data-driven decision-making capabilities
- Hospitality practitioners developing service excellence and management expertise
Among them, employees have completed qualifications from leading institutions such as Boston City Campus, Regent Business School, the International Hotel School, and international programmes like eCornell University.
Empowering Growth and Leadership
For participants, the programme is more than academic achievement—it is a platform for leadership and innovation within the industry.
One graduate highlighted the impact of specialised training in revenue management:
“This qualification has shown how data, strategy, and customer behaviour intersect to drive sustainable growth. It has strengthened my ability to lead with insight and create meaningful value within the organisation.”
The emphasis on analytical thinking, customer-centric strategy, and operational excellence reflects the evolving demands of the modern hospitality and entertainment sector.
Creating Shared Value
Beyond individual development, the initiative aligns with a broader goal: contributing to community upliftment and industry sustainability.
“We want to create genuine value for the communities we serve,” Gooranah added.
“This investment benefits not only our employees, but also strengthens the future of Time Square and the wider Sun International group.”
A Model for Industry Development
As South Africa’s hospitality sector continues to recover and evolve, programmes like this demonstrate how targeted skills development can drive both business performance and socio-economic impact.
By equipping employees with relevant qualifications and practical experience, Time Square is building a workforce capable of meeting global standards—while opening doors to opportunities both locally and internationally.
In an increasingly competitive landscape, the message from Sun International is clear: investing in people is not just good practice—it is essential for long-term success.
