As Capitol Caterers enters its 25th year in the industry they have much to celebrate!

One of the country's most prestigious catering companies, Capitol Caterers, is entering its 25th year of catering service to the education, health, commercial and retirement sectors.

On the 28 August last year, 570 beneficiaries of the Workers Trust were presented with a hefty R1 475 000.00 dividend payout. The Trust was part of an empowerment deal initiated in 2003 by founder Giles King, where he transferred 21% ownership of Capitol Caterers to all staff who had been with the company for five or more years.

A total of 36 staff qualified to be the inaugural beneficiaries of the trust in 2003 and received a pro rata share of the R116 000.00 dividend payout. In just 15 years the beneficiaries have grown to 570 and they now boast a 49% share in Capitol Caterers. Comments from beneficiaries show the impact the initiative has had on their lives.

"Today I have my own home through working for Capitol Caterers and being part of the Workers Trust."

"The Workers Trust has assisted me to put my boys through school and enabled me to give them the opportunity to work abroad." "It's added so much value to my life, knowing that I am working for a company
that rewards its employees by allowing us to be a part of the company and helping us uplift our lives and families lives too."

Not only can Capitol Caterers boast about their effective employee benefits through the Workers Trust initiative, but they can also proudly claim their level 1 BBBEE status.

Obtaining and retaining this level 1 BBBEE status has meant ensuring a strong focus on employment equity, training, learnership programmes, empowerment and career development amongst many other BBBEE requirements. Only businesses who are truly passionate about the wellbeing of their staff can commit to the rigours and demands of qualifying for level 1 status and it is the result of a correctly transformed business, with a vested interest from all 1100 members of staff.

A slight shift in management occurred 18 months ago with the appointment of two managing directors, each focusing on contracts suited to their individual level of expertise.

Russell Nzimande, who has been with Capitol Caterers since its inception, starting as an assistant catering manager, he steadily moved up the ranks, to catering manager, area manager, operations and then as a director, gaining strong experience in the management of tender based contracts, is now the MD for Capitol Itakane. He has this to say: "The future is certainly great for Capitol Caterers, as we are fully transformed, and the journey of our transformation started long before it became compulsory for businesses to transform through BBBEE in South Africa."

MD for Capitol Select, Merrill King, has a strong propensity for the quality of food on the plate, having been the group executive chef for the past 10 years. Her passion for quality, innovative, home cooked nutritious food is reflected in the many happy clients Capitol can claim in the education, health and retirement sectors.

Having two managing directors allows the business to focus on the key areas of commitment and service to its clients, producing nutritiously balanced quality meals at competitive prices, using local producers and being mindful of its environmental footprint, all the while sustaining and improving the wellbeing of their staff.

Capitol Caterers is proud to be the preferred caterer to more than 100 contracts throughout South Africa and Swaziland.

Merrill King merrill@capitolcaterers.co.za