There are probably a few things you already know about The Aleit Academy.

You may know that we form part of The Aleit Group, one of South Africa’s leading events and hospitality groups. You may know that we’ve been developing future industry professionals since 2009. And you’ve probably seen that our campus has a pretty spectacular address — Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West, surrounded by vineyards and the Helderberg Mountains.

But there’s much more to life at Aleit Academy than what you’ll find in a course brochure.

From where we started to where our students can end up, here are 10 fun facts about The Aleit Academy that you might not know.

10 Fun Facts About The Aleit Academy

1. Our campus is on a wine estate. 

Instead of a traditional city campus, Aleit Academy calls the beautiful Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West home. Think vineyards, mountains, expansive lawns and a working events and hospitality environment right on your doorstep.

Not a bad place to go to class, right?

2. You could graduate with your next job already lined up. 

Imagine finishing your studies and already having an opportunity waiting for you. Around 95% of our students receive job offers through their internships, which is why practical industry experience plays such an important role in the Aleit Academy journey.

Our goal isn’t simply to help you graduate. We want you to be ready to step confidently into the industry.

3. Yes, there really was an Aleit! 

The Aleit Academy was co-founded by the late Aleit Swanepoel, the visionary entrepreneur and event specialist behind The Aleit Group.

Aleit entered the events and wedding industry in 2000 and founded The Aleit Group in 2002. His passion for people, creativity, excellence and developing young talent ultimately led to the establishment of The Aleit Academy.

And here’s a little extra fun fact: among the many high-profile celebrations associated with his career was the wedding of former Miss South Africa and Miss World, Rolene Strauss. His legacy continues to form an important part of who we are today.

4. We started with just FIVE students! 

Every big story has to start somewhere. When Aleit Academy welcomed its very first class in 2009, there were only five students. Classes took place in a coffee shop, where Aleit and Hans shared their industry knowledge, experience and values while developing the Academy’s course content.

Fast-forward to today and things look a little different. Our Diploma students complete a comprehensive curriculum alongside approximately 1,900 hours of practical experience, including internships and real-world industry exposure.

From five students in a coffee shop to an established Academy in the Cape Winelands. That’s a pretty special journey.

5. We even have our own student apartments. 

While there isn’t a traditional student residence on the Lourensford campus, Aleit Academy has dedicated off-campus accommodation available at The Jade in Paardevlei, Somerset West.

The apartments are situated approximately 9 km from campus and offer students the opportunity to live alongside fellow Academy students while still enjoying their own independence.

In other words: your Aleit Academy experience doesn’t necessarily end when classes do.

6. Your industry network starts before your career does. 

One of the coolest things about studying at Aleit Academy is that you’re not learning about the events and hospitality industry from a distance, you’re surrounded by it.

As part of The Aleit Group, our students are exposed to professionals working across events, venues, hospitality, décor, floral design, mobile bars and other areas of the industry.

That means the people you meet while you’re studying could become future employers, suppliers, collaborators, mentors, or even clients.

7. Some of our graduates become our competition! 

Over the years, numerous Aleit Academy graduates have gone on to launch their own businesses, build brands, partner with fellow graduates and carve out their own space within the events and hospitality industry.

Some have even grown into businesses that operate alongside (and sometimes compete with) companies within our own network.

If you’re going to create competition, you may as well create really good competition, right?

8. Our classroom can get pretty international. 

Aleit Academy has welcomed students from beyond South Africa’s borders, including students from elsewhere in Africa and destinations further afield.

That international exposure doesn’t necessarily stop on campus either. Through our wider industry network and internship opportunities, students can gain insight into how events and hospitality operate in different markets, cultures and destinations.

You never quite know where your Aleit journey might take you.

9. Your internship could take you beyond South Africa. 

And when we say beyond South Africa, we really mean it. Aleit Academy students have completed international industry experiences in destinations around the world, with past students travelling to places including Australia, Hong Kong, Ireland, Dubai, Qatar and Mauritius.

Practical experience has been at the heart of the Academy from day one, and internships give students the opportunity to take what they’ve learned and put it into practice in a real professional environment.

So when internship time arrives, your classroom could suddenly be thousands of kilometres away.

10. You might discover your dream career isn’t the one you originally planned. 

You might arrive wanting to become a wedding planner and discover that you love marketing. You might picture yourself coordinating events and realise you’re brilliant at styling. Or perhaps hospitality, venue management, corporate events, production, floral design or entrepreneurship turns out to be your thing.

That’s one of the exciting parts of studying event coordination: there isn’t only one career waiting at the end of it.

The industry is broad, creative and constantly evolving. The practical exposure you’ll gain throughout your studies gives you the opportunity to discover where you fit into it.

And that’s only 10…

There is so much more to discover about life at The Aleit Academy.

From practical industry experience and internships to campus life, new friendships and the career opportunities waiting on the other side, studying with us is about far more than earning a qualification. It’s about discovering where your strengths can take you.

Ready to start your own Aleit Academy story?

Explore our Diploma in Event Coordination, discover our Online Compact Course, book a Campus Tour, or apply online for 2027.