Culinary studio welcomes manager from Kempton Park

Capsicum Culinary Studio and The IIE School of Hospitality and Service Management (HSM) welcomed Kempton Park resident, Thulisile Mgidi as the organisation’s new customer experience manager.

Mgidi lives in Birchleigh North and joined both schools at the start of the year, where she is based at the Rosebank campus in Johannesburg.

Mgidi matriculated from Sir Pierre van Ryneveld High School and studied for a Bachelor’s Degree in accounting science and a postgraduate diploma in accounting science from UNISA.

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“In 2016, I commenced my South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) articles at Mazars Gauteng, where I continued working as an audit senior until June 2022.

“During my articles, I discovered my passion for assisting people in transforming their lives.

“As the chairperson of the Clerk’s Committee, I advocated for trainee concerns, bridging the communication between trainees and the firm’s leadership,” said Mgidi.

Additionally, she actively participated in Mazars Monarchs, a woman empowerment programme, where my introduction to coaching sparked my interest.

Mgidi explained the newfound passion led to a career shift from the external audit and accounting industry to the professional development and coaching sector.

“Serving as a performance coach and the head of professional development at No-Valo Learning Centre until December 2023, I delved into coaching and its impact on personal and professional growth.

“In July last year, I completed my executive coaching certification with UCT, and I am now a proud member of Coaches and Mentors of South Africa (COMENSA),” said Mgidi.

As a customer experience manager, Mgidi explained she was supervising the overall student experience, fostering student engagement and enhancing the employability of students at both Capsicum Culinary Studio and The IIE School of Hospitality and Service Management (HSM).

“Collaborating with my team in the career centre, we aim to provide students with ample opportunities to prepare for interviews, cultivate their professional public profiles and develop essential soft skills for success in their respective industries,” said Mgidi.

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She said that she lives by Maya Angelou’s quote, ‘People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel’.

“Guided by this principle, my core personal value revolves around making a positive difference in people’s lives.

“With this commitment, I am determined to lead my team in providing our students with an exceptional experience, enabling them to proudly represent the organisation throughout their professional journeys.”

Mgidi said her motivation stems from witnessing individuals transform their lives, moving from their current state to their desired future.

This role aligns perfectly with her values, purpose, and the daily mantra encapsulated in the quote she carries with her.

She said she finds joy in public speaking, consistently serving as the MC for corporate events and facilitating panel discussions.

Mgidi said when she was not working, you would likely find her in the gym, where she channels her passion as a graded amateur boxer.

“Indeed, dynamite comes in small packages.”