At Gondwana Collection Namibia, we are guided by the belief that hospitality is not just a service, it’s an experience born from intention, heart, and identity. This philosophy was brought to life during an enriching internal staff training session held at The Weinberg Windhoek hotel, led by international hospitality coach and service consultant Kerwin De Matas, founder of Sole of Hospitality Coaching Cc.
Originally from Trinidad in the Caribbean, a region known for its warm, people-centred service culture, Kerwin brought with him over two decades of global experience across cruise lines, hotels, and fine dining establishments. His presence was not only energising but deeply grounding, offering fresh perspectives on what it truly means to serve.
During the training, Kerwin worked with staff from the front-of-house, housekeeping, and banqueting departments. He invited the teams to pause and reflect on the difference between service and hospitality. While service is often task-driven and transactional, hospitality, he explained, is about creating connections, it is the human side of service that lingers in memory long after checkout.
Kerwin De Matas, founder of Sole of Hospitality Coaching Cc.
Photo credits: Gondwana Collection Namibia.
Reflecting on his experience in the industry Kerwin shared “Service is all I know to do. Being of service to those around me is the best thing I’ve chosen to do in this profession,” reminding us that when hospitality is lived as a value, it becomes the heartbeat of a brand. A key message from the session was the call to live by the 16 Gondwana Guidelines, which were emphasised as foundational to Gondwana Collection’s culture and ethos. These guidelines are everyday actions and attitudes that define how we show up for our guests, our teams, and ourselves.
By embodying them, we uphold the values that set Gondwana Collection apart and give meaning to our collective mission. Kerwin’s coaching is grounded in the globally respected FISH! Philosophy, a model that encourages teams to bring playfulness, presence, and a positive attitude into the workplace. At its core, it’s about making someone’s day not just the guest’s, but also your colleague’s, your teammate’s, and ultimately, your own.
From left to right: Lukas Hanse, Victoria Kahorere and Raimi Naufuka were among those from different departments that participated in the training. Photo credits: Gondwana Collection Namibia.
The session also explored themes of accountability, self-awareness, and team synergy, urging participants to take ownership of their roles while supporting one another in building a service culture rooted in pride, empathy, and excellence. For many attendees, the session offered more than just new tools, it reinforced a shared purpose.
Victoria, a Banqueting Reservations Agent, reflected on the value of such training sessions:
“Trainings like these are enablers of what we do. They capacitate each team member with a sense of purpose and hunger. Receiving the onboarding booklet with all the Gondwana Guidelines allows each of us to remain grounded in the company’s culture, reminding us why we do what we do, and who we do it for.”
Her sentiment captured the collective feeling in the room: that service is not just improved by learning new skills, but by deepening the alignment between individual intention and company ethos. As the Gondwana Collection family continues to grow, trainings like these ensure that our commitment to hospitality remains deeply human, proudly local, and intentionally lived through every guest interaction.
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