Last week’s SA Tourism Lilizela Awards’ win as the Best 5-star Hotel in South Africa, is a
bittersweet one for The Oyster Box general manager, Wayne Coetzer.

Coetzer, who has been at the helm of the multi-award-winning hotel for the past 18 years, is leaving in November to pursue a new challenge in the Cape.

“This is the 5th year in a row that The Oyster Box has achieved this accolade,” says Coetzer.

“I feel honoured to have been heading up a team so committed to excellence, that we have been recognised in this way for five years in a row,” says Coetzer.

“The Oyster Box is an institution in South Africa, and the awards and status are recognition
of our wonderful staff who go out of their way, day in and day out to create incredible
memories for all our guests. In my many years of working in hotels, I have learnt that
people are your business and the key to a successful business, is looking after its people.
Red Carnation Hotels really walk their talk, investing heavily in their people, with continuous training and opportunities to grow.”

The Oyster Box' general manager holding the Lilizela Award for Best 5-star Hotel in SA.
The Oyster Box general manager, Wayne Coetzer.

During Coetzer’s tenure, The Oyster Box and Spa have picked up scores of accolades,
including: South Africa’s Best 5-star Hotel by Trip Advisor (eight years); No. 8 in the Top 30 Hotels in Africa in 2019 in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards and Best 5-star Service Hotel in South Africa.

“We feel that we carry the expectations of KZN and South Africa on our
shoulders when we enter these awards and we want to do the best for the people of our
province and of our country.  We recognise the important role tourism plays in the economy
and we’re proud to do our part towards this effort.”

Coetzer leaves The Oyster Box at the end of November to join Vergelegen Wine Estate as
Managing Director. Vergelegen is a flagship property of Anglo American.

“I always said I would only leave for something incredibly special, and that I would have to fall in love with a property to move. This has been the case with Vergelegen; not only is it a ‘national treasure’, but it was recently awarded National Heritage status. The Winery has won numerous international awards and ‘Camphors at Vergelegen’ is recognised as one of the best restaurants in the country. Whilst I leave KZN and The Oyster Box with a heavy heart, I look forward to the new challenges that await me.”

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