THE travel industry is
mourning the loss of
Catherine Elizabeth
(Zena) Lethbridge
who passed away on
February 18.
Well known and loved
within the industry,
Catherine began her
career in the 1970s at
Columbia Travel which
was owned by Lou
Etkin at the time. She
then started her own
business – Hotel and
Conference Bookings
– where she managed
hotel reservations,
conferencing and
incentive travel, a novel
idea at the time. From
this evolved Milpark
Travel and then Sure
Travel Management.
She was joined in 1985
by her partner, Roger
Mackie (former Asata
president and Uftaa
main board member).
She retired in 2004
after her business was
purchased by Grindrod
Jet International Travel.
Catherine is described
by fellow colleagues
within the industry as
a private, dignified and
beautiful person, who
loved the bush and, in
particular, her cottage
on Ingwelala on the
Kruger Park border. She
travelled extensively
and always enjoyed
attending tennis at
Wimbledon.
A memorial service
was held for Catherine
on February 24,
attended by wellknown
members of
the industry such as
Vanya Lessing, Ivan
Visee, Des O’Loghlen,
Dave Bradshaw, Alan
Wolman and Laurie
Wilkinson.
Appointments
Skål
Johannesburg
Club’s annual
general meeting
was held on
February 26 at the
DaVinci Hotel, Sandton, where
the new board was announced.
The newly elected president is
Brenda Dooge (pictured) group
client, media & public relations
manager from Guvon Hotels &
Spas. Brenda said: “I see it as
my duty to respect the history
and traditions of this great
organisation whilst ensuring
that it meets the requirements
of its membership and
today’s tourism industry.”
Skål Johannesburg Club will
be focusing on increasing
membership in 2016, by
creating value for members
and planning effective, fun
networking events.
■ Natasha Freeman has joined
Sabre as its new
senior sales
representative.
With more than 20
years’ experience
in the travel
industry, Natasha spent the last
14 years representing AirPlus
International, marketing and
selling its payment and analysis
products for business travel.
Retirement
The City Lodge Hotel Group’s
first employee, Lynda
Schroeder, picked exactly
the right day to leap into
retirement – February 29, ‘leap
year day’.
She was Hans Enderle’s
secretary when the City
Lodge Hotel Group opened
its first hotel, City Lodge
Hotel Bryanston, on August
1, 1985. As the group grew,
she moved into the buying
side and became the group’s
purchasing manager, a position
she held until her retirement.
Seen here celebrating with
Lynda at a retirement party
held at the group’s Bryanston
head office are (left) the
group’s former chairman and
founder, Hans Enderle, and Bill
Dickson, a co-founder and the
group’s first financial director.
