Meet new Chief Engineer at Radisson Hotel OR Tambo, Wilson Bantwini

At Radisson Hotel OR Tambo, guest safety, comfort, and operational excellence are non-negotiables, and at the heart of that commitment is our Engineering Department. We’re proud to welcome our new Chief Engineer, Wilson Bantwini, whose wealth of experience and passion for excellence is already making waves behind the scenes.

With a career that began as a casual handyman in a factory environment, Bantwini has steadily risen through the ranks to become a respected figure in hospitality engineering. His career journey has taken him through leading local and international groups including Sun International, Tsogo Sun, and now Radisson Hotels. Along the way, he’s gained extensive personal and technical experience, honed his reporting skills, and worked across diverseleadership styles and cultures.

Radisson Hotel OR Tambo, serves as a key gateway for international and domestic travellers due to its proximity to one of Africa’s busiest airports, Bantwini understands that safety, reliability, and smooth operations are not just engineering goals, they’re vital to the guest experience. In a hotel where guests expect effortless comfort and consistency from check-in to check-out, even minor technical issues can disrupt a stay. 

That’s why this role is so critical: ensuring systems work seamlessly behind the scenes so guests can enjoy their stay without ever having to think about what keeps the hotel running. From maintaining safe fire systems, air quality and energy efficiency, to preventing downtime through preventative maintenance, Bantwini plays a central role in upholding the invisible standards that create a safe and welcoming environment.

“Repairs and Maintenance is support to the business and should never feel like a stepchild to hoteliers,” says Bantwini. His leadership approach is rooted in aligning the Radisson culture with strong technical support. For him, building a motivated engineering team means prioritising leadership support, training and development, removing operational obstacles, and offering consistent performance feedback.

As he settles into his new role, Bantwini says it’s still “too early to tell” what excites him most about the future, but with his eye for excellence and practical mindset, we know the future of Radisson OR Tambo is in good hands.