FEDHASA Cape this year aims to reconfigure its rather pale-faced membership and board to become more demographically and geograpgically representative, says Phillip Couvaras, who was unanimously re-elected chairman for the second year running at last week’s AGM in Cape Town.
 
He says the organisation in 2008 experienced a year of “house-keeping” and this year wanted to establish itself as the voice of the local hospitality industry; diversify and broaden its membership to include previously disadvantaged individuals and members from outlying areas; communicate more effectively with members and potential members; and increase its membership benefits and relevance.
 
In 2008/09, Fedhasa Cape gained 81 new members representing 6% growth now totalling 592 members.
 
A youth arm, Fedhasa Youth, was started about a month ago as a networking platform for young people who are entering the industry and as a “breeding ground” for future industry leaders. 
 
New board members are:
· Chairman: Phillip Couvaras, Table Bay Hotel
· Hotels: Samantha Annandale, Hotel Le Vendome, and Sam Chonya, Cape Heritage Hotel
· Smaller Accommodation: Suzanne Faussner, Greenways Hotel, and Carole Armstrong-Hooper, Highlands Country House
· Restaurants & Catering: Rey Franco, Paranga Restaurant, and Chris Bertie, Blues Restaurant
· Allied (Suppliers & Service Providers):  Carolyn Neville, New Vision and Training Cons.
· Fedhasa Youth: Nompilo Gugulethu (Gugu) Ncube, student.