CUSTOMERS to the Sun Inn will be in safe hands with its new South African hosts, a former cardiac nurse and Nelson Mandela’s protection officer.

Mark and Zaloma Kemp, who both grew up in South Africa, have taken over the running of the Akells pub adjacent to Coate Water Park.

Mark joined the police and was drafted into the president’s protection unit, guarding first F.W De Clerk, who ended apartheid, for three years, then working to protect Nelson Mandela during his first term in office, as well as the Archbishop of Cape Town Desmond Tutu.

“That was all good fun, in Nelson's office in Pretoria," Mark told the Adver.

"He did a lot of good for the country, he was an absolute gem of a man. He was all about meeting the people, it didn't matter who you were, he would want to find out more about you."

"Everyone knows that they can be safe here," added Zaloma, who trained in the army and became a cardiac nurse in theatre.

"But in a pub it's the same drive because it's an adrenaline rush, like when it's busy, it's making sure that everything runs smoothly and keeping on top of it."

The couple have already made some changes and want to use the outside space for a South Africa barbecue, known as a braai.

"We want to make our mark on the place, but we want the community behind us," added Zaloma.

"We wanted to do it because of the interaction you get with people, " said Mark.

"In South Africa we just loved entertaining, and it was always my dream to run a pub.

"It's going to be about finding out what people really want, and bouncing ideas off the community."

George Arkell added: “Everytime I drop in I find out more about what they've done. We're really excited, they come with a huge amount of experience, not just in the pub world.

"In pubs now, yes you need good food, and to be part of the community, but also you need to have new ideas, and coming from such a different background it's a new approach which we love.