Change the world

18/06/2015

NMMU BCom Law graduate, Keenan Bergins, has been appointed as the General Manager of Golden Valley Casino, Sun International, almost a year ago in Worcester, Western Cape. Bergins was the former Operations Manager at Carnival City Casino and Entertainment World, Sun International. He is currently the youngest General Manager in the Sun International Group.

Bergins was born in Port Elizabeth but soon after his birth the family relocated to Philadelphia in the USA  where  his  father  received  a  Ford  Scholarship  for  Graduate  Studies.  He  obtained  his  early  childhood  education  at  the  North  Columbia  YMCA,  in  Broad  Street, Philadelphia, USA.

On  their  return  to  South  Africa  Keenan  was  enrolled  at  Priory  Primary  School  in  Port  Elizabeth  but  due  to  his  father’s   work  transfer,  he  spent  one  year  at  Marist Brothers  College  in  Johannesburg.

Returning once more to Port Elizabeth, Bergins started his illustrious career at Theodor Herzl School where he excelled in sport especially soccer, cricket and hockey. He was awarded the highest accolade, The  Maccabi  Award  for  Excellence in Leadership in high school due to his sport  and  academic leadership where he then matriculated with an A-aggregate.

His journey then took off at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University where he graduated with a B.Com (Law) degree, also working part-time to relieve  his  parents  of  the  financial  burden  of  graduate  studies  for  him  and  his  brother.  While waitering at leading restaurants and steakhouses in Port Elizabeth, he was  soon in demand in the catering industry.

Bergins then took a gap year furthering his interest and  passion  for  the  hospitality  industry  and  found  employment  in Minnesota  in  the  USA.

On  his  return  to  South  Africa  he  applied  successfully  for  the  position  of  Food  and  Beverage  Manager  at  Fish  River  Sun Resort , Sun International in 2005 near  Port  Alfred.  While  at  Fish  River  Sun  he  developed  a  keen  interest  in  golf  which  he  still  embraces  today.

In  2008,  Bergins was  appointed  as the Operations  Manager  at  the  Carousel  Casino, Sun International in  Hammanskraal  followed  by  his  appointment  in  2011  as  Operations  Manager  at  Carnival  City Casino and Entertainment World, Sun International in  Johannesburg.

Bergins married fellow NMMU (former PE Technikon) graduate, Kim Hickman who is well known in the fashion industry for her creative wedding gowns and elegant evening wear.   The couple have a 2 and a half year old son, Riley.

Keenan is the son of Ernie and Desiree Bergins of Port Elizabeth. Desiree  is  an  Educator  at  a  local  Primary School  and  Ernie  is  well  known  in  Conservation  and  Tourism  Industry. 

“I would like to thank Sun International Group for the career and development opportunities they have given me over the past 10 years and I am very grateful that the company has entrusted me with the recent appointment,” he said.