There is a new man at the helm of Sun International’s Sibaya Casino & Entertainment Kingdom, Myan Moodley. Myan recently took the position of General Manager after a successful tenure at the same group’s Wild Coast Sun Casino. Bringing with him a wealth of experience, this dynamic and career-focused leader has worked in the entertainment and hospitality industry for well over 25 years.
Hailing from Durban, Myan was born in Tongaat where his father was a truck driver for Hulett’s sugar. His family then moved to Campbells town where he lived most of his life and then relocated again, this time to Phoenix, where he completed his high school career at Greenbury Secondary school. He furthered his studies at the ML Sultan Hotel School after which he moved to Cape Town and this is where his career took off. “My first job was at the Southern Sun Hotel Inn on the Square as a trainee chef but I decided I wanted to move into management, so I could wear a suit.”
The next step in his impressive career path was the Ritz Protea, still as a trainee, “But then I had a suit on,” Myan says with a grin. Working as a night auditor he advanced to become night manager and from there, front office manager. This is also where he met his wife, 26 years ago. The two of them moved together to the Strand and then on to the Castle Hotel Group in Camps Bay, which had two guesthouses.
Myan feels it is by sheer perseverance that he landed a job at the Cape Sun as a manager. “The industry is small and when I heard they were looking to fill the position I kept going until they afforded me the opportunity. I cemented lifelong friendships at this hotel, and I will always be grateful for my time there.”
During his career, Myan has been the general manager at no less than nine properties and was part of the leadership team that opened four hotels for the Southern Sun group, including Southern Sun Maputo. Other properties he worked at includes the Monte Casino, The Holiday Inn in Milpark, the Cape Sun, and the Grayston where he played host to the Bafana Bafana team during the World Cup in 2010. “I took every opportunity that came my way, no matter what or where it was – I wanted to learn, grow and succeed and was not afraid of change.”
When Myan was offered the job as general manager at the Wild Coast Sun, he and his team grew the business by double digits year on year for five consecutive years. He attributes the successes achieved throughout his career to commitment, tenacity, hard work, relationships and “fear of failure which drove me.”
Myan says these aspirations drove him to achieve his goals and will continue to form the backbone which motivates him in his new role as General Manager at Sibaya Casino & Entertainment Kingdom. “The hospitality industry is exciting but also demands a lot of time and dedication. The people are what makes this industry so special – without the amazing team I work with, it will be impossible to steer this ship in the right direction.”
Myan believes in treating employees and colleagues with the utmost respect. “We need to reward people by talking to them, by showing empathy and most importantly being honest with each other.”
He has a great love for cars and collected miniature car models all his life. When he is not enjoying this hobby, Myan can be found either on the golf course or behind the stove in the kitchen. “Golf and cooking are two other great loves in my life.”
Sustainability and a sense of responsibility for the environment in which he operates is close to his heart. This, and his belief in an ‘open door policy’ towards his staff, will certainly go a long way as Myan takes the helm and steers Sibaya to even greater heights over the coming years.
“If you really want something and you have the passion to drive you, you will most certainly reach your goal,” concludes an inspirational Myan.
