Melanie Rambally, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Durban ICC, has received the Top Women Leader in Public Sector Award 2024 in the Standard Bank Top Women Awards that recognises her contributions to financial excellence and leadership.

Rambally, of Pietermaritzburg, has held the position as CFO at Africa’s winning Meeting Incentive Conference and Exhibitions (MICE) venue for the past 10 years.

She is a chartered accountant and holds a Bachelor of accounting from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Rambally also has an accounting science honours degree from the University of South Africa.

She controls the purse strings at the Durban ICC and has contributed to the iconic conferences and events venue receiving its 10th clean audit accompanied by sustained revenue growth.

“I dedicate the award to my team members for their unwavering commitment to sound financial management, transparency, and accountability that underscores our steadfast dedication to upholding the highest standards of governance and integrity in all our operations,” said Rambally.

Lindiwe Rakharebe, the CEO of Durban ICC, said: “Melanie has done the entire team proud. A good CFO is essential for the financial health and strategic direction of an organisation, more so if it is a public sector entity.

“Her deep knowledge of fiscal management, accounting principles, and financial reporting is crucial and this includes understanding complex financial data and using it to make informed decisions.

“She has also inspired the finance team, fostering a collaborative and productive work environment. We at the Durban ICC congratulate her on clinching this well-deserved and coveted award.”

According to a statement released by the ICC, the venue has consistently garnered recognition as an exceptional world-class venue.

"It has again been voted Africa's Leading Meetings and Conference Centre 2024. Between 2010 and 2018, the Durban ICC was crowned Africa's Leading Meetings & Conference Centre for nine years in a row before being placed after Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, which took first prize. Now the Durban ICC is again on a winning streak, taking top position for the second year in a row, a testament to its unwavering commitment to excellence.”

The Durban ICC was also second runner-up for the Most Innovative Business Tourism Destination Award by the Africa Tourism Leadership Forum. In addition, the venue maintained its five-star grading from the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa.

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