Leadership that fuels tourism growth

IN KWAZULU-NATAL'S tourism and film sectors, Thandazile “Thanda” Mokhohlouloane and Nompumelelo “Mpume” Ngubane are setting the pace by driving investment, creating opportunities, and proving that women’s leadership is a force for growth and innovation.

- SANELISIWE MANGXABA

As acting Head of Tourism Development at the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority (KZNTAFA), Mok-hohlouloane’s career now involves building the infrastructure and policies that attract sustainable tourism investment.

From supporting women-owned hotels and lodges to fostering skills development to building developments in the rural areas and in emerging tourist regions, she demonstrates that tourism growth is about people as much as places. “When we invest in infrastructure, we invest in opportunity, skills, and sustainable growth for our communities,” she says.

Under the Tourism Development division, KZNTAFA has facilitated partnerships with private investors to develop boutique hotels and lodges in emerging tourist regions, among others. For instance, several women-led lodges in the KZN North Coast have received support in securing funding, staff training, and marketing guidance.

These investments not only create jobs but empowers women entrepreneurs to thrive in the hospitality sector. Mokhohlouloane emphasises, “The success of tourism growth depends on how well we empower people to take ownership of opportunities while ensuring that standards are met.”

Mokhohlouloane has overseen programs that link small tourism enterprises to larger supply chains, ensuring that communities benefit from every new hotel, lodge, or tourism development.