Genuinely Meticulous With Tsepo Anthony Thenjekwayo
Tsepo Anthony Thenjekwayo
1st Assistant Golf Course Superintendent
Vattanac Golf Resort, Phnom Penh
Q: What is one or two interesting facts about your heritage or culture that you would like to share with us (and if it impacted your career choice)?
A: It may come as a surprise to many, but magic is still a strong component of our traditional culture. Many believe in ancestor spirits known as Amatongo that have the ability to affect people’s lives. Diviners known as sangomas are believed to be able to invoke spirits, and herbalists known as inyangas create mixtures that are consumed to connect with the ancestors.
One of the most important ones is the Zulu Reed Dance (known as Umhlanga), which is a centuries-old rite of passage that takes place in September. Every year, girls from around South Africa come to the eNyokeni Palace in Nongoma to participate in the powerful dancing experience, which also includes staged fighting among the men. The girls that come are also taught about how to be a young women, as well as the modern issues they’re facing in society.
Q: What/Who got you into the hospitality/golf/F&B industry and what was your first experience with the game?
A: A friend of mine who I was working with in South Africa in a racecourse who previously worked in a golf course, he was always talking about golf then it got me interested since I hadn’t played before, so one day he invited me to join him for a round of golf. My first experience was great and I enjoyed it.
Q: What do you do in your daily job or life to inspire others to get them interested in the hospitality/golf/F&B industry?
A: Daily is to educate and explain why we do certain tasks and projects the way we do, which increases our associates in agronomy team job knowledge. Outside work, I usually share golf content with friends who are non-golfers but are always curious about golf to get them interested in the game.
Q: What has been your career progression at Troon and what have you learned along the way?
A: Overall, my career has progressed a lot since joining Vattanac Golf Resort working alongside Marcus Hartup (Director of Agronomy). It’s been two years of learning and developing, I am proud of my accomplishments and the path my career has taken so far. My primary focus is on continuing to develop my leadership skills and agronomic knowledge, and I believe the best way to do that is to constantly challenge myself. I have learned a lot along the way to name a few would be understanding the role of evapotranspiration (ET) its plays in our daily irrigation program, people management, and operating rain bird cirrus version 8 central control system.
Q: What is something that not many people know about you that you don’t mind sharing?
A: I am a religious person. I grew up in a religious family where everyone goes to mass every Sunday.
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