Town Lodge Menlo Park, General Manager
Nominee: Hotel Chapter
My name is Abia Nicodimus Rakoma. Iwas born on the 5th of January 1984 in Pretoria. My journey in hospitality started at a very young age at high school when I decided to try out a new subject called Hospitality and Catering little did I know that it will create a path for my future. I currently have Diploma in hospitality management, B-Tech Degree in Hospitality Management and a labour Relations Certificate. I joined the City Lodge Hotel Group in 2007 and worked through the ranks and became a General Manager of Road Lodge Carnival City in 2011. In the same year I won a Rising Star Award at our annual leadership conference. I was also a finalist in the Standard Bank rising star awards in 2014. I got promoted to manage Town Lodge Menlo Park in 2015 and that is where I am based now. As a 32 year old man I believe that I have achieved a lot in my career thus far and it will a privilege to serve on the Tshwane Tourism Board expanding my horizon and also giving a valuable input in our industry while serving the people of the Capital City.

Casa Toscana Lodge, Managing Member / CEO
Nominee: Accommodation, Restaurant and Spa Chapters
Anette started her career in the SAP in 1990, moved on to work for an Attorney firm and then further expanded her experience with Southern Life as a Medical Aid consultant. In 1995, she started as Public Relations Officer for Dimension Data Northern Transvaal. From 1997 – 2003, she opened her first catering business “Execu Cater” and started relationships with a range of clients in Tshwane. She took over the venue contract at the Pretoria High School Old boys club and operated her catering business from there as well as functions and conferences in the facilities. She opened and operated a separate conference centre in Persequor Park as well. In 2004, she purchased Casa Toscana Lodge with 9 rooms and a small restaurant. In the past 13 years, she has expanded the business and property to 20 luxury rooms, 7 conference venues, a banqueting hall and wedding venue, tented function venue, full a la carte LeSi Restaurant, wine cellar, and Blou Hond Restaurant Theatre. She is currently expanding the room offering to 40 rooms before the end of 2017.

Hauweng Tourism for All Society, Founder
Nominee: Supplier to Industry Chapter
Ms Mosupye is Founder of the non-profit Hauweng Tourism for All Society, focusing on promoting affordable and accessible tourism to grow affinity to travel amongst locals. She is a Development Consultant, and a PUM Netherlands Senior Expert representative. She holds a BComm degree and studying towards a law degree. Her career spans over 25 years, 12 in the tourism sector as Executive Director of the Tourism Empowerment Council and Chief Director at the National Department of Tourism. Career Highlights – gazetting of the first BBBEE sector code, initiating the Women in Tourism programme, and Lilizela Awards conceptualization.

CSIR International Convention Centre, General Manager
Nominee: Meeting and Event Venues Chapter
Bronwen started her career in the hotel industry as a Receptionist at The Courtyard Arcadia when it first opened. Moving on through a number of positions over the years she is now the General Manager of the CSIR International Convention Centre, a venue which hosts over 700 events with in excess of 70 000 delegates a year. Amongst other awards Bronwen has recently been awarded a Top 40 Women in MICE award by 3S Media, a Fellowship Award by the SAACI Tshwane branch and a Certificate of Recognition by Gauteng Tourism Authority. Bronwen’s passion is the City of Tshwane and she is dedicated to putting the city on the global tourism radar as a must visit destination. Bronwen holds a degree in Commerce and various other business and industry certificates.

Villa San Giovanni Restaurant, Owner
Nominee: Restaurant Chapter
Christian Maiorana was born in Milan and came to South Africa with his parents who started the Villa San Giovanni restaurant, at Wonderboom Airport in 1981, which he runs together with his brother Luca and father Giovanni. Christian was also the organizer of the Adrenaline how air show which won air show of the year 2016 & 2017. In 2019, in a partnership with Messe Frankfurt they hosted the first AERO show, a very successful B2B aviation show which has been hosted for over 20 years in Friedrichshafen, Germany. He is the owner of Eat In Italian restaurant in Sinoville together with his lovely wife Tanya and has also just recently launched a range of frozen Italian meals and Make-It-Yourself pizza’s in grocery stores around the city which is a good example of innovation in our restaurant industry during these very trying times. Christian has always taken a keen interest in his community and has for the last three years served as the Chairman of the Wonderboom Airport Interest Group (WAIG) investing their personal time and effort to get our city’s Wonderboom Airport back on track. Christian and his family also maintain close ties with the charities in their area and were one of the first restaurants to turn their facilities into a fully-fledged soup kitchen to aid the homeless in the city under lock-down. Christian has actively been involved in the TTA Restaurant Chapter committee for over two years now and continually demonstrates his commitment to improving and supporting the restaurant industry in Tshwane. During the COVID-19 pandemic Christian has been instrumental in bringing together our restaurants to work together to find ways to aid our industry.

National Zoological Gardens of South Africa, Commercial Services and Business Development, South African Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)
Nominee: Attactions Chapter
Craig Allenby is responsible for the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa and all the National Botanical Gardens Commercialisation and marketing. He holds a master’s degree in tourism management from the University of Pretoria specialising in attraction management. He is a certified attractions manager and holds membership of a number of tourism bodies. He serves on the organising committee of Attractions Africa since its inception and was instrumental in bringing the conference to Gauteng and more importantly to the City of Tshwane.

Waterkloof Guest House, General Manager
Nominee: Accommodation Chapter
Clement is currently the General Manager at Waterkloof Guest House in Waterkloof, Pretoria, a position he has held for over two years and he is also the General Manager at Firwood Lodge in Hazelwood, Pretoria, a position he has held for over 4 years. Clement has been working for the group of companies for over six years having worked for the company in 2013. Clement started his journey in the hospitality industry at the age of 21 at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida and has experience in the Exotic Game Breeding, Game Lodging Industry and is passionate about wildlife, hospitality, tourism, people and photography.

Supreme Travel, Managing Director
Nominee: Travel Agent and Tour Operator Chapter
Didiintle, a 39 year old woman was born and bred in Pretoria. She is married to Kabelo Modingoane and is a mother of lovely boy Kaboentle Modingoane. She loves travelling and hence her career in the Tourism industry. She has been in the Travel industry for 13 years and is the founder and CEO of Supreme Travel in Pretoria Montana which has been in operation for 5 years. One of her proud moments was On 22 November 2018 when she took 2nd Place in Global Entrepreneurship week hosted by Black Umbrella, Gauteng Propeller and NYDA(Empowering 100% Black owned business). She loves making a difference in the country by means of employment creation through her company, Supreme Travel.

Click & Drive Tours, Owner
Nominee: Travel Agent and Tour Operator Chapter
Dedicated and highly experienced travel expert with a special interest in Sustainable Tourism. An ambitious traveller and lover of adventure! Skilled in Business and Leisure Travel, Event Management and Customer Service. Responsible for identifying and securing opportunities to generate growth and profitability within the business. Planning and managing exhibition participation. Manage and selecting suppliers. Identifying emerging trends and itineraries. Conducting training and development of team members. Perform monthly reviews. Always striving to learn, discover and develop through career and personal growth. A graduate from the school of UNISA with a Bachelor of Business Administration.

Nt’Shonalanga Valley Resort and Spa, General Manager
Nominee: Accommodation and Spa Chapters
Hanita Muthray, entered the tourism and hospitality Industry in 1999 when she joined her family business, operating a function venue, lodge and wellness spa in Centurion. She has her Masters Degree in Physiotherapy Sports Medicine from the University of Pretoria, a Certificate from GIBS- Goldman Sachs 10 000 Women’s program as well as a certificate from GIBS-CATHSETTA for completing the GEDP (Global Executive Development Program). She is passionate about travel, wellness tourism and Art. Hanita also sits on the board of a WE300 NPC for Women entrepreneurs, this company was started post the Goldman Sachs- GIBS program to support and encourage women in business.

Q2B Solutions, Owner
Nominee: Supplier to Industry Chapter
Hendriette Krause has spent the last 32 years in the Marketing, Sales, Events and Hospitality industry. She completed a diploma in Project Management in 2000. Owning her own Establishment for 9 years and Event Consulting Company. Hendriette also managed gigantic events and expos for leading brands in SA. Hendriette have an enormous passion for the hospitality industry and its people. The Q2B Solutions story started when Hendriette combined forces with a software engineer to solve the fragmented IT landscape problem in the South African hospitality industry. A hospitality establishment is so much more than just accommodation! In this increasingly competitive industry establishments need to be able to sell a combination of accommodation, activities, events, conferences, and other value adding services in an integrated fashion. Sadly, we have found that there was no existing technology platform locally or internationally, where an establishment can market and sell a combination of offerings. They embarked on a journey to develop a cutting-edge technology solution that will offer establishments the ability to sell and market all their offerings from one platform at very affordable price. Integration between establishments and other platforms was a key part of the vision. Eliminating repetitive laborious tasks through automation, providing guests with interactive online applications and integrated CRM functionality finally also became part of the solution that was developed. Development started small, on a shoe-string budget, with only a handful of customers, but the passion and energy generated through customer interaction propelled the solution forward at a fast pace. As customer requirements were discovered, development took different directions, always following the needs of an ever-growing customer base. After a mere 4 years, Q2B Solutions offers the most comprehensive venue management solution locally and internationally. Innovations like Venue-Link that provide establishments with a quick and easy way to book and track amongst each other.

Ritsako Game Lodge, Dinokeng Game Reserve, General Manager
Nominee: Accommodation and Attractions Chapters
My career started in the media industry, where I worked as a journalist. I established my career in the hospitality industry four years ago at lodges in Cape Town (Sunset Beach Luxury Apartments) and Pretoria (Ritsako Game Lodge). I’ve gained great experience over the years and am passionate about tourism. I would love to serve on the Tshwane Tourism Board and help to grow the Capital City’s tourism sector.

Automotive Industry Development Centre, CEO
Nominee: Meeting and Event Venues Chapter
Mr. Schultz is well known for leadership within the automotive sector with over 23 years experience, specialising in turnaround strategy, logistics development and business case development. He has strong Project Management skills. He is currently employed at the Automotive Industry Development Centre as CEO. Prior to that he served as CEO at the Centurion Aviation Village. He had formerly worked for Mercedes Benz SA and had undertaken new model introduction as well as Lean Manufacturing projects. Mr Schultz holds membership at SA Institute of Industrial Engineers, SAPICS and the Supply Chain Council. He is passionate about youth employment, township enterprise development and promoting females to executive opportunities within the workplace.

Gaabomoto Cultural Village, Co-Owner
Nominee: Attractions Chapter
In 1986 Lilly obtained a B.A. Paed(Unin) in 1986. Previously employed as an educator at the Filadelphia special school from 1988-1992, Lilly then ventured into business in 1993 and is co-owner of Gaabomotho Cultural Village, the first guest house in her district, which won the International Etiya award in London in 1998. Lilly has, over the years, worked with different government departments and embassies and has traveled to many countries promoting our South African culture and heritage.

Intsingizi Lodge, Owner
Nominee: Accommodation Chapter
Mahlangu Maria Sakhe is the owner of Intsingizi Lodge. She joined the tourism sector in 2012 having studied Public Administration, Financial Management and Project management. Mahlangu has gained experience by attending workshops, trainings and seminars about hospitality and tourism and is very passionate about the Tourism Industry.

Capital Hotel, General Manager
Nominee: Hotel Chapter
Nelson started his first job as a waiter at the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel, fresh out of school. However, during the past two decades in the hospitality industry, Nelson also was part of the opening team at The Westcliff Hotel in Johannesburg, worked for the City Lodge, Best Western groups & Mount Grace Country House & Spa, and was General Manager at multi award-winning Bushmanskloof in the Cederberg. While he was at the helm, Bushmanskloof garnered 10 international establishment and conservation accolades, including the Travel and Leisure award for Best Hotel in the World and Best Lodge in Africa and the Middle East. In between, Nelson also packed in two years travelling the world while working aboard the QE II. His is now the multi-property GM for The Capital Menlyn Maine & The Capital Trilogy in Menlyn, Pretoria.

Mangwanani African Spa, Regional Operations Manager
Nominee: Spa Chapter
Nitasha has gained a vast amount of experience and knowledge in Health, Skincare/Spa, & Cosmetics Industry since 2000. A firm belief in positivity, perseverance, passion added to determination in her daily tasks keeps her focused. Nitasha began her career graduating as Somatologist with her ITEC and CIDESCO ( Comité International d’Esthétique et de Cosmétologie) qualifications. Her career spear headed off as a Make Up Artist/Skin care Consultant for Estee Lauder to the Finance sector of Standard Bank South Africa. Her passion and interest led her back into the Skincare Industry which led her into opening up her business in Make Up Artistry for Bridal entourages as well as skincare/body treatme Comité International d’Esthétique et de Cosmétologie. nts. She was offered the position thereafter of National Education Trainer for a South African Skincare brand Nutriwomen at Dischem Stores Nationally. Once acquiring further experience and knowledge, she drove her expertise to heading the Marketing and Training division for a Snail Care Skincare brand, opening up opportunities to feature herself on weekly Radio sessions featuring Skincare advice to the public. She acquired a thirst for more knowledge and landed herself into the Medical Dermacuetical Field of Dermatology. Continuous striving to achieve her goals which led to meeting the inspirational and admirable CEO of Mangwanani African Spa, Erin Limbert. An opportunity to further grow her wings, Nitasha was appointed as the Regional Operations Manager for Mangwanani. This created a pathway to greater heights in the Spa Industry. A firm believer of empowering females via motivation and encouragement is what drives Nitasha to a state of sheer joy, women need to look and feel beautiful, therefore my position at Mangwanani allows me to do so in assisting women to achieve success in heir careers, whilst allowing passion to drive this success. Mangwanani is a phenomenal woman empowered platform that certainly defines strength. Nitasha she has settled in her home at the sanctuary of Mangwanani African Spa.

Manhattan Hotel, Managing Director
Nominee: Hotel Chapter
Nico started his career at the Best Western Pretoria Hotel in 1996 as receptionist and was promoted and served as GM from Jan 1998 until Nov 1999. He then moved to the Manhattan Hotel in December 1999 where he served as Duty Manager and then F&B Manger, Rooms Divisions Manager, Assistant GM and General Manager from/between Jan 2000 to Dec 2008. Currently Nico is a Managing Director of the Manhattan Hotel. Nico has been a board member of TTA for the past 4 years and has been Vice Chairman for the past two years.

Nandis Guest House Abercrombie Road & Nandis Guest House Kremetart, Owner
Nominee: Accommodation Chapter
Ms Zwane has been a qualified registered nurse for the past 30 years. She operates her own business specializing in occupational health and safety. In 2007 following her entrepreneurial spirit she opened her own Guesthouse in Pretoria North. Over the years she has learnt from trial and error, the tricks and trade of the tourism industry. Nomvula has a passion for travel, meeting new people and empowering those in her community. In 2017 she expanded her business by acquiring a second Guesthouse and in 2018 she won the Capital City Business Chamber, for Tshwane Business of the year award in the tourism sector.

Immaculate Guest House, Director
Nominee: Accommodation Chapter
Petunia Mkwanazi is the owner and Director of Immaculate Guest House in Danville, Pretoria West, she is also a qualified Attorney with a right of appearance in the High Courts of South Africa. She served her articles of clerkship in Witbank with the firm Makobe & Dolamo Attorney’s between 1996 and 1998, after completion thereof she joined the Raf Legal costs section in September 1998. In 2000 she resigned and opened her own practice specializing in Legal Costs and was also a lecturer and moderator at the School for Legal Practice both Unisa & Sunnyside Pretoria until 2018 July when her passion for hospitality overwhelmed her and she fell more and more in love with hospitality, she closed her practice and decided to follow her passion, to personally run and manage her establishment , which she already started in 2009 when she bought her first house and converted it to a 3 star graded establishment and named it Immaculate guest house with only 5 rooms , as we speak now, she bought 2 other properties one next to the other and in total she has a compliment of 21 rooms with a licensed bar. As an African woman fortunately in the Capital City, and born and brought up in the location/ township, I believe when nominated as a board member I will be able to give valuable input from a different perspective and make sure that out Kasi and Township establishments are lifted to be competitive and be able to host and accommodate guests from other Provinces, countries and ultimately the whole world.

Capital Hotel School, Managing Director
Nominee: Education Chapter
Sincerity and a sense of humour are the qualities she seeks in people; “I sat at a table where rich food and wine in abundance were, and obsequious attendance, but sincerity and truth were not; and I went away hungry from the inhospitable board.” Henry David Thoreau. Ronel matriculated at Alberton Hoërskool. She studied at RAU and UNISA toward a degree in Communication and Languages, also completed a Diploma in Business Management at TUKS and attended several Management, Marketing and Human Relations short courses. She started her career as Translator/PRO for the Dental Association of SA; she was Promotions Executive at Rooi Rose magazine; Marketing Manager Overvaal/Aventura Resorts; Sales Executive at Karos Hotels before starting her own events company, RONPRO. Finally Ronel decided to pursue her real passion and in 2001 launched Capital Hotel School (CHS) in Pretoria. She visualises to further expand the CHS education and training footprint, powered by technology, in SA and neighbouring countries within the next three years. Ronel chaired the Travel Trade Sports and Social Committee, as well as SKAL International. She is an honorary Bailli of the Pretoria Bailliage of Châine des Rôtisseurs, an international society devoted to choice dining and the camaraderie of the table and a coach at Lifework Leadership. She is passionate about education and training and the wellbeing of children and animals, enjoys travelling, reading, social interaction, wine and food and the company of her adorable Staffie, Piaf. She believes firmly in the anonymous saying that we are very apt to measure ourselves by our aspiration instead of our performance. But in truth the conduct of our lives is the only proof of the sincerity of our hearts.

International Hotel School Training t/a Summit, Key Account Manager
Nominee: Education Chapter
With over 15 years in the Hospitality industry, my current role is Key Account Manager for Sun International National; Peermont Global and Bettingworld PTY Ltd.at International Hotel School Training t/a Summit. Summit, part of the Invictus Education Group, are experts in the field of training, development and business consulting. We are committed to assisting your business to achieve its strategic goals. Our team has worked hard to develop up-to-date delivery mechanisms in order to help other businesses tap into the vast pools of knowledge within their own organisations. This is made possible via the Summit Fuse learner experience platform – an online software tool that allows Summit to not only host its own content and training programmes, but also the content of any organisation. Furthermore, Summit has the ability to map that content into accredited training programmes where learners build out electronic portfolios of evidence.

3@Marion Guest House, Owner/Manager
Nominee: Accommodation Chapter
Susan is an accomplished hotelier with more than 15 years’ experience working locally and internationally across all departments. Her experience with companies such as Protea Hotels and Tsogo Sun has given her a holistic view of the industry and a passion for learning and teaching. She has recently been fortunate enough to become the owner and manager of 3@Marion Guesthouse, a unique property where she combines professional efficient service with a good dash of fun. She is passionate about the city of Tshwane and hopes to continue showing locals and visitors alike what a great place this is through projects such as the ultimate #pretoriabucketlist – a project which she conceived, got the public involved in and which was published in many media generating PR for the city.

Selroy B&B, Director
Nominee: Accommodation Chapter
Sally Landane is the director of Selroy B&B, a 3-star guest house in Heuweloord. She holds a BA degree from UNISA majoring in communication and criminology. Through Tsogo Sun Adopt a Guest House she has a certificate from UCT on Guest House Management and further certificates from Satsa and Motsatsa through the City of Tshwane. “I would be honored to be part of the TTA, hoping that with the knowledge that I have acquired will be able to have some impact on the Association and tourism in Tshwane”.

Seretse Travel & Tours, Founder
Nominee: Travel Agent and Tour Operator Chapter
Seretse Molelekwa is a 56yr old businessman who has been involved in the tourism industry since 1999, involved in product development in the Pilanesburg area of the North West Province. He founded Seretse Travel & Tours in 2002. He has travelled extensively within South Africa, the rest of Africa, Asia and South America. He spent spent most of his adult life in senior management in financial services and retail banking and ix now sole owner of Seretse Travel Services, an inbound and regional travel service operation.

Protea Hotel by Marriott Pretoria Hatfield, General Manager
Nominee: Hotel Chapter
“A hospitality graduate from Wits Technicon School of Hospitality and Tourism Siphiwe is a mature, seasoned, stable and dedicated hospitality leader with a highly successful career spanning over 25 years within outstanding properties in the Protea Hotels folder, Ten of those years were served as a General Manager in four properties. He is passionate about the hospitality industry and tourism SA.

Matebook Company, Founder & Director
Nominee: Supplier to Industry Chapter
Tshifhiwa Makani completed his national diploma in Ecotourism and BTech in Tourism management at Tshwane University of Technology. While pursuing the Btech Qualification, Tshifhiwa recognized that his unique mix of technical knowledge and interest in business would lead him to opening his own company. Tshifhiwa is a creative director of Matebook Group.

Famba Famba Tour Design Specialists, Founder
Nominee: Travel Agent and Tour Operator Chapter
Valentino Meirotti is the founder and director of a luxury travel company, Famba Famba Tour Design Specialists. He is a national award-winning cultural tour guide with a degree in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Pretoria. Valentino enjoys sharing his knowledge of South African culture and wildlife with travellers to the country. He has a passion for beautiful cars and has experience as an advanced driving instructor. Valentino is half Italian and half Zulu and originally from Limpopo. He has been married for five years and has two daughters.

Expedia Group, Area Manager
Nominee: Supplier to Industry
Wynand’s career started at the tender age of 18 as an hotelier student at the Capital Hotel School. After graduating he later moved on to work as a hospitality intern at the Ocean Reef Club in the United States of America. Having grown in stance and passion Wynand moved back to South Africa and worked his way through the ranks at the Sheraton Pretoria Hotel by starting as a Guest Service Agent. From humble begins Wynand established is career path in the sales department at the Sheraton Hotel and moved to join Protea Hotels. Being part of the Marriott International merger with the Protea Brand he gained wealth of knowledge and respect for the industry by opening the new Fire and Ice! Menlyn hotel as the appointed sales representative. Wynand is now Area Manager at Expedia Group.

Olive Insurance Brokers, Managing Director
Nominee: Supplier to Industry
Qualification: BA Communications (UJ). Master in Business Leadership (UNISA). Willem is an insurance professional with 30 years’ experience in the short-term insurance market.  He’s held senior positions in insurance companies, brokers and underwriting managers, including Managing Director of PinnAfrica Insurance Limited and PinnAfrica Life Limited. During this time, Willem served a term on the Board of the South African Insurance Association. He is currently the Managing Director of Tax Risk Underwriting Managers and is a member of Olive Insurance Brokers which specialises in short term insurance products for the hospitality sector.