Growing up in KwaZulu-Natal and later studying at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, I never imagined how deeply those roots would shape my journey, not just in life but in how I view travel, storytelling, and hospitality. That foundation inspired me to create Timeless Trends, a platform born out of a deep appreciation for the spaces, people, and stories that define travel across Africa.
It’s for this reason that the recent recognition of Virath Gobrie, General Manager of Sibaya Casino & Entertainment Kingdom, as Sun International’s Top GM of 2024 felt like more than just industry news. It felt personal.
Like me, Gobrie hails from KZN and is a UKZN graduate. His journey, starting as an accountant at Sibaya 20 years ago and working his way up to become a transformational leader, is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when passion meets purpose. Since taking the reins at Sibaya in 2022, he has led major refurbishments, introduced solar infrastructure, driven community impact projects like GBV response shelters, and repositioned Sibaya as a hospitality powerhouse.
What stands out most is his people-first leadership style and unwavering commitment to service excellence, values I strive to reflect in my own way through the stories we tell on Timeless Trends.
It feels like a full circle moment that I’ll be heading to Sun City, another flagship Sun International property, for a villa stay this August. It’s a chance not just to unwind with loved ones but to immerse myself in the very spaces shaped by leaders like Gobrie, spaces that continue to raise the bar in hospitality and experience.
At Timeless Trends, we don’t just write about travel. We honour the architects behind the experiences. People like Gobrie who turn properties into destinations and teams into families. People who, like me, carry KwaZulu-Natal in everything they do.
This is what hospitality looks like when it’s powered by purpose. And this is the kind of story I’m proud to tell.
By: Nokuthula Khwela
