Two Oceans Aquarium Tourism and Hospitality Sales Co-ordinator Renar Wheeler started out at the Aquarium, as so many of our employees do, as a volunteer. She joined the programme in 1998 as a volunteer animal trainer, working predominantly with seals and penguins. Since then, “I’ve worked in every department there is,” she says with a smile.
Renar has recently taken over as the Aquarium’s go-to tourism contact from Renée Leeuwner, who is now Assistant Communications and Sustainability Manager. Renar loves “the energy and the creative spirit” of the Two Oceans Aquarium.
Renar says one of her goals in her new position is to “create more events” and introduce team-building events as a new feature. “I want people to see the Aquarium as a place that’s more than an aquarium – you can do amazing things here.”
“The Aquarium is an all-weather, all-day destination,” Renar says. “It’s a great functions venue, a great place to just meet up with friends in a relaxed atmosphere …”
Her favourite exhibit is the Kelp Forest Exhibit. “I often see one of the penguins swimming in it, and it gives me so much joy to see them in their natural habitat.”
Renar comes from far away: she was born in Glasgow, Scotland, but came to South Africa when she was eight years old. She’s lived in Johannesburg, Durban, Mpumalanga and Cape Town, and she’s travelled extensively, naming the Far East and Japan as highlights. Next destination: Thailand, “for the scuba diving”, she says.
Renar considers herself a very spiritual person who loves yoga, meditation and her 20-year-old son the most (in no particular order).
When it comes to the Aquarium, Renar says the surprise elements are “the things we do in terms of outreach, environmental education and sustainability; for example, Shoreline Café is the first restaurant in Africa to win Marine Stewardship Council certification.”
Tour operators can contact Renar on renar.wheeler@aquarium.co.za or +27 (0)21 418 3823 for enquiries.
