Radio Islam News – 2016-08-11

Tsogo Sun has responded to the alleged discrimination against two Muslim culinary students who claim their internships were terminated after they refused to shave off their beards.

Statement From Tsogo Sun:

Thank you for providing us with the opportunity to comment on the Capsicum Culinary Studio trainees. We respectfully decline to come on air, however please see below Tsogo Sun’s statement on the matter.

“At Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani we have a hygiene policy in the kitchens that includes restrictions on facial hair. Restrictions are also included in Capsicum Culinary Studio’s course notes, which are signed by all students prior to taking their placements. We are aware that two kitchen trainees from Capsicum, which had been placed at Southern Sun Elangeni and Maharani needed to be relocated to an alternative kitchen for their training due to their religious beliefs. As soon as we became aware of their religious beliefs, we contacted Capsicum and arranged for them to be placed in a Halaal kitchen, where facial hair is acceptable. Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani adheres to hygiene policies in order to ensure the safety of our guests. We cannot alter our policies to favor one particular religion or belief system.”

Furthermore, we would like to clarify some issues to balance some of the perceptions or mistruths that are currently being disseminated;

• Capsicum Culinary School has moved both trainees to a Halaal kitchen – something that the school endeavors to do with all their Muslim students. In fact, it was only at the ongoing persistence of one of the student’s mothers that they were placed at Southern Sun Elangeni and Maharani.

• The school provided each student with a handbook which includes kitchen ‘etiquette’ wherein reference is made to chefs needing to be ‘clean shaven’. Both students signed that they had received the handbook and that it was there responsibility to read through the handbook and familiarize themselves with the handbook.

• Upon arrival at the hotel prior to commencing their training, they were issued with our internal policies which also refers to restrictions on facial hair.

• These students were not disadvantaged or discriminated against in any way. They were immediately assisted by Capsicum on request by Tsogo Sun to place them in a Halaal kitchen to complete their training.

• At no stage did the Executive Chef, Shaun Munroe, state that he does not care about Muslim beliefs or disrespect Muslims or their faith.

• Tsogo Sun both respects and values the Muslim community

Kind regards,

Tatum