Leadership that fuels tourism growth

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

As acting Head of Tourism Development at the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority (KZNTAFA), Mokhohlouloane’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 empower women entrepreneurs to thrive in the hospitality sector. Mokhohlouloane emphasizes, “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. “Every project we support is measured not just in revenue, but in the lives it touches and the skills it develops,” she says.

Mpume Ngubane, serving as the Acting Head of the Durban-KwaZulu-Natal Convention Bureau, complements this work by expanding the province’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector. Her initiatives position KZN as a premier destination for national and international business tourism. “A convention is more than an event; it’s an entry point for economic transformation for the tourism value chain and aligned economic sectors,” Ngubane explains.

“Every delegate, every conference, every knowledge shared, every convention resolution taken, every investment conversation has a ripple effect on our local economy.”

In August, Ngubane’s office co-hosted several major conferences including several G20 Working Group Meetings and the Tourism Investment Fund Africa (TIFA) conference, the Association of Technical Universities and Polytechnics in Africa (ATUPA) conference, specialised global medical conferences, and an aviation conference.

Each event connects international and domestic delegates with local hotels, venues and tourism facilities, service providers, and tourism entrepreneurs, generating measurable economic impact for the provincial ecosystem 

“Our goal is to ensure that every conference contributes towards the growth of the economy, drives conversion of business traveller to leisure and repeat traveller, benefits local communities, stimulates investment, and builds long-term relationships,” Ngubane says.

Ngubane’s work extends beyond hosting major conferences, meetings and events; she also fosters partnerships with local businesses, including women-owned tourism establishments, Professional Conference Organisers, Destination Marketing Organisations and service providers.

These efforts ensure that the MICE sector stimulates not just international engagement but also domestic economic growth driving industry transformation ensuring black owned businesses participate in the mainstream of the sector. “When a conference comes to KZN, we are deliberate about creating opportunities for small businesses, suppliers, and local talent,” she adds.

Both Mokhohlouloane and Ngubane have faced challenges unique to women executives in male-dominated sectors. Mokhohlouloane speaks of the complexity of coordinating diverse stakeholders: “Change requires collaboration across government, private sector, and communities. The real test is ensuring that every policy, every investment, delivers tangible benefits for people on the ground.”

Mokhohlouloane has overseen tourism developments that empower women entrepreneurs while generating sustainable employment in emerging tourist regions. Ngubane is attracting international conferences like TIFA and ATUPA, medical conventions, and aviation forums that bring investment and spotlight KZN as a global business destination.

Both understand that sustainable tourism requires both infrastructure and human capital, investment and inclusivity. Their leadership also inspires other women to pursue roles in tourism and business development. By mentoring young professionals and promoting enterprise development, they are creating a pipeline of future leaders who will continue to shape KZN’s tourism sector.

For Mokhohlouloane and Ngubane their work is proof that women executives can navigate complex bureaucracies, manage international networks, and create lasting socio-economic impact. 

By supporting investment in infrastructure, empowering women entrepreneurs, and attracting international conferences, they are shaping a tourism economy that is vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive - a model for South Africa and the continent at large.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE