South African Tourism has appointed Nomasonto Ndlovu as the organisation’s new Chief Operations Officer, effective July 1.

She is currently employed by Transnet in the capacity of Executive Manager: Tourism, Heritage & Hospitality – a role she assumed in November 2020. 

Prior to joining Transnet, Ndlovu was CEO of the Limpopo Tourism Agency. A well-respected public speaker, content creator and opinion leader in the tourism industry, she also mentors young upcoming tourism professionals.

Ndlovu has extensive experience in marketing operations, brand management, communications, stakeholder management and media relations. She has held various leadership positions in the tourism sector, including her role as Global Manager: Business Tourism when she was previously at SA Tourism between 2008 and 2012, before joining the City of Tshwane as Strategic Executive Director Communications, Marketing & Events.  

“Our plans for the recovery of the tourism sector are well under way. As we move towards ensuring that we achieve this goal for our organisation and the greater tourism sector, it is important that we have strong leadership at SA Tourism. 

“I am thrilled to welcome Nomasonto back to SA Tourism. Given her experience and expertise, I am confident that her extensive knowledge will be invaluable and will help SA Tourism achieve its mandate. I wish her every success in her new role at SA Tourism,” said Acting CEO, Themba Khumalo.

“The time to re-engineer the global positioning of South Africa and the rest of the African continent has come, and should be led by SA Tourism. It is time for the rebirth of the industry and the recalibration of the people in the sector and I am looking forward to being a part of this,” said Ndlovu.