Durban - There are many hotel doormen, “but there is only one Obed”, says Markus Fritz, the general manager of the Durban Hilton.
And that is why his famous head doorman, Obed Mbatha, whose trademark jacket is adorned with hundreds of badges, has just received a top accolade from Hilton Worldwide.
Mbatha, 71, is one of just 11 Hilton staff from 4 000 managed, franchised, owned and leased hotels and timeshare properties, to win the global hospitality company’s chief executive Light & Warmth Award.
The annual award is the company’s highest honour, established to recognise exceptional team members who embody Hilton Worldwide’s values of hospitality, integrity, leadership and teamwork.
Finalists were nominated by their colleagues and selected from more than 3 300 nominations, with the winners being selected by the Hilton Worldwide president and chief executive, Christopher Nassetta.
Mbatha is the only employee in the global group with permission to wear so many badges.
“Everyone else wears a single name badge. Obed has received a special waiver to wear them,” said Fritz, who added that the popular head doorman was an icon for the industry.
Mbatha has welcomed countless heads of state, global leaders and VIPs – and thousands of other guests – down the years with a beaming smile and a jacket laden with badges from visitors from all over the world.
Jackets
He has more than 1 500 badges on two jackets, each one weighing 6.3kg.
He has won Durban’s Living Legends Award before, which recognises residents while they are still alive.
Mbatha is also a pastor at the Lambert Zwane Methodist Church. Asked what he thought about winning the award, he said: “It’s all about God who provides.”
But his proud boss summed up what everyone at work thinks: “He’s one of the chosen 11 and an inspiration for every team member in the world.” - Daily News