A cross-section of the South African tourism industry gathered at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, on the evening of Sunday, October 29, for the culmination of the 5th annual Lilizela Tourism Awards
Minister of Tourism, Tokozile Xasa, handed out awards for a number of categories, including the Minister’s Award, which recognises individuals who, through sheer dedication and passion, have excelled in positioning the country as a tourism destination of choice.
Recipients were:
- Sheila Sekhitla, The View Guest House;
- Lily Mokoena, Gaabo Motho Cultural Village;
- Lolo Monica Mabitsela, Mama Lolo’s Breakfast;
- Siza Mzimela, aviation expert with over twenty years of industry experience;
- Francina Zana, Exclusive Hospitality Concepts;
- Vijayluxmi Pillay, Tourist Guide and Tour Operator;
- Sindiswa Nhlumayo, honoured posthumously.
World-renowned Ndebele artist and industrial designer, Esther Mahlangu, aka Mam’ Esther became the inaugural Hall of Fame inductee for being an exemplary global ambassador for South Africa’s indigenous arts and cultural heritage.
Some of the category winners included The Workshop ko kasi (Culture & Lifestyle), Baviaanskloof (Scenic Beauty), Soweto By Bike (Roots & Culture), The Gorge Private Lodge and Spa (Best Five-star Game Lodge), and The Oyster Box (Five-Star Hotel Award for Service Excellence).
CEO of SA Tourism, Sisa Ntshona, noted that it had not been an easy year for tourism, with natural disasters, a sluggish economy and other factors making the operating environment a difficult one to navigate.
“Despite these setbacks, our tourism industry has forged ahead with remarkable resilience and has insisted that it will be business as usual. You are true examples of what it means to ‘do tourism’ – our movement that encourages South Africans to place tourism and the broader tourism economy at the heart of all they do,” said Ntshona.
The Lilizela Awards celebrate excellence in the South African tourism industry and have grown to include 1 649 entries this year, a 46% increase on 2016. There were 61 national awards handed out on the night.
