Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat: James Basson new GM

James Basson: Moving up.

Basson has been an integral component of the Bushmans Kloof team over the past four years. He joined the lodge in 2008 after starting his career studying marketing, at Tygerberg College but quickly realised his love for the hospitality industry, particularly the food and beverage sector. He honed his talents between 2004 and 2008 in the food and beverage divisions at various top Western Cape establishments: Zorgvliet Wine Estate, Portswood Hotel as well as The Sante Winelands and Wellness Centre.

(Image: Rod Baker)

Basson joined Bushmans Kloof as an assistant food and beverage manager and after six months his ability, talent, hard work and passion for the industry earned his promotion to food and beverage manager.

It was soon evident that his positive attitude, dedication and relentless perfection in standards inspired his team to a new elevated level of professionalism -with these qualities it became apparent that he was ready to move onto greater challenges.

(Image: Rod Baker)

"James has proven to be a great leader, with fine values reflecting strength and character and with an ability to adjust, evolve and assume the responsibilities that he had been confronted with over the past four years. He shows remarkable skill in combining flexibility, morals, high standards of service and most importantly the ability to take care of our guest's needs, all of which comprise the key characteristics of being a general manager. We feel extremely confident for this new role, and wish him all the success to now lead this special and magical property to even greater heights," says Toni Tollman, owner of Bushmans Kloof.