DT Correspondent
Zimbabwe’s leading hotel asset management company, African Sun has announced the departure of its current Chief Executive Officer Peter Saungweme, who stepped down from his position last Friday, after barely two years at the helm.
The Victoria Falls Stock Exchange listed firm has appointed Lawrence (“Laurie”) Ward as the Acting Chief Executive Officer with effect from 20 January 2024.
Saungweme took over from Edwin Shangwa who had been with the hospitality chain for four decades. Before joining African Sun, he was the chief executive officer at the Johannesburg Securities Exchange-listed Arden Capital Limited.
In a notice this Monday, the board expressed its gratitude and appreciation to the outgoing CEO, for his steadfast leadership of the company over the past two years
“Change in chief executive officer as of 19 January 2024, Mr. Peter Saungweme, our current Chief Executive Officer, will be stepping down from his position. The Board, Management and Staff congratulate Peter on his achievements and wish him well as he enters a new chapter in his life. Mr. Lawrence (“Laurie”) Ward has been appointed by the Board as the Acting Chief Executive Officer with effect from 20 January 2024.
“With close to two decades of experience in the international hospitality industry, Mr. Ward is well-prepared to provide strategic guidance in this role. The Board has full confidence in Mr. Ward’s ability to lead the Company through this period of change. His extensive expertise and established track record in the hospitality industry align seamlessly with our dedication to delivering excellence and value to all our stakeholders” reads the statement.
African Sun Limited currently has three divisions which are Resort Hotels, City and Country Hotels and The Victoria Falls Hotel Partnership. Five hotels fall under the City and Country Hotels division, these being the three hotels under Franchise that operate under the InterContinental Hotels Group (“IHG”) brand. The Holiday Inn branded hotels are in Harare, Bulawayo and Mutare, with the latter having been recently rebranded. Monomotapa Harare (Crowne Plaza) and Troutbeck Resort in Nyanga.
The group also owns the Elephant Hills Resort in Victoria Falls, Hwange Safari Lodge in Hwange, Great Zimbabwe Hotel in Masvingo and the Caribbea Bay Resort in Kariba. The hospitality group also in Victoria Falls, is The Victoria Falls Hotel which the group jointly operates with Meikles Hospitality (Private) Limited.
