As industry frustrations continue to grow around the ongoing narratives of the so-called “South African variant” by overseas politicians and in the press, the time has certainly come for a collective effort to better manage Africa’s reputation. This was the topic of a recent webinar hosted by Africa Travel Week, ahead of the bumper conference programme planned for the virtual event set to take place from April 7 – 9, 2021.
THE SPEAKERS
Professor Alex van den Heever
Chair of Social Security Systems Administration
and Management Studies:
University of the Witwatersrand.
Prof Alex holds a Masters in economics from the University of Cape Town and has worked in the areas of health economics and finance, public finance and social security in various capacities since 1989. This includes participation in the Melamet Commission of Inquiry into Medical Schemes (1993-4), the Taylor Committee of Inquiry into Comprehensive Social Security (2000-2), and the Ministerial Task team on Social Health Insurance (2003-5). He has also held positions in the Department of Finance (Central Economic Advisory Services), the Industrial Development Corporation, the Centre for Health Policy at the University of the Witwatersrand, and the Gauteng Department of Health. Over the period 2000 to 2010 he worked as an advisor to the Council for Medical Schemes, which he was partly responsible for establishing together with the regulatory framework, and in an advisory capacity to the social security policy processes (including the Department of Social Development, the National Treasury, the Inter-departmental Task Team on Social Security) taking forward the recommendations of the Taylor Committee, and the Competition Commission (regarding private health markets). He has published extensively in the field of health policy, the implementation and review of health public private partnerships, and the regulation of health systems.
Tim Henshall
Chief Executive:
Kamageo
Tim describes himself as a serial safari-er having first visited Africa over 20 years ago and has returned 60+ times since. Tim has so far visited 95 countries and territories around the globe, often in search of wildlife – from anacondas in Venezuela to tigers in India.
Since 2006, Tim has helped increase visitor numbers to various Africa destinations, through his work at Kamageo (and sister brand, Kamili). He has developed strategies and implemented tourism campaigns for tourism enterprises and/or authorities in Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Zanzibar, Lesotho, Eswatini (Swaziland), Republic of Congo, CAR, Madagascar, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Mauritius and The Gambia.
Tim is a lifelong marketer, with over 35 years experience. He has held senior marketing roles at a number of international brands in various categories (from sports to jeanswear), as well as leading roles within marketing and advertising agencies. He has been fortunate enough to win industry awards for creativity, marketing strategy and effectiveness.
Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa
Chief Executive Officer Tourism Business Council of South Africa
With over 17 years’ experience in International Marketing, Business Development, International Trade Relations, among others in Tourism. Tshifhiwa has worked for companies such as the South African Tourism, Myriad Marketing, Protours, SARS, and HRG Rennies Travel. He currently sits on the Tourism Business Council of South Africa Board, Tourism BBBEE Charter Council, former Member of Awards Committee of South African Tourism.
Tshifhiwa holds a BBA Marketing Communications, Diploma in Marketing (Institute of Marketing Management) and a National Diploma in Tourism Management (University of Johannesburg). He is currently studying towards MSc Strategic Planning at Edinburgh Business School. He has also founded ZOTE Investments and Projects where he partnered with various organisations in USA, New Zealand, UK, to bring over 400 international volunteers to contribute to youth development in Limpopo Province.
Monika Iuel
Chief Marketing Officer
WESGRO
Monika has a passion for Southern African tourism, a deep knowledge of the international marketplace, and strong industry relationships at home and abroad. Since 1992 she has worked for an outbound tour operator in Berlin, Germany, smaller boutique DMCs in Johannesburg and spent 13 years at Tourvest Destination Management.
She spent four years at SA Tourism; initially as Regional Director for the Americas (during which time she opened the office in Sao Paulo) and ultimately as General Manager International Marketing, supporting all international SA Tourism offices in Europe, Americas and Australasia.
Before joining WESGRO, Monika was the CEO of Private Safaris in Southern Africa, a Destination Management Company operating from offices in Cape Town and Windhoek.
Anita Mendiratta
Founder and President:
ANITA MENDIRATTA & Associates
Globally trusted and respected as a strategic advisor and six-time published author in Tourism & Development, Anita Mendiratta is the Founder and President of ANITA MENDIRATTA & Associates, a London-based international consulting firm.
With over 28 years living and working across the African continent, Anita works closely with leaders in governments, businesses, and international organisations across the Tourism, Aviation and Development sectors. Anita is also honoured to be the Special Advisor to the Secretary General of the UNWTO.
THE MODERATOR
Natalia Rosa
Founder
Big Ambitions
Natalia Rosa is the founder of Big Ambitions, a specialist Cape Town-based travel marketing and content consultancy created to assist travel and tourism organisations and destinations to connect with their customers and target markets.
Exceptionally well connected within the tourism and travel sectors in South Africa, Natalia has extensive travel and tourism industry knowledge and first-hand experience of retail travel, wholesale travel, destination marketing, inbound tourism and outbound tourism, and leisure and corporate travel.