Nnaniki Wilhemina Tebogo Makwinja is a Botswanan politician who has served in the National Assembly of Botswana since 2019. A member of the Botswana Democratic Party, she represents the Lentsweletau-Mmopane constituency. Makwinja has also served as the assistant minister for basic education since 2019.

Mr. Mark Okraku-Mantey is the Deputy Minister for Tourism Arts and Culture, (MOTAC). Before his appointment as the Deputy Minister, he was the acting Creative Arts Council President where he engaged creative practitioners across the country vis a vis soliciting their inputs to facilitate the passage of the Creative Industries Bill and organising monthly Masterclasses to equip industry players on their various disciplines. He was the liaison between government and the creative industry for strategic decision making purposes.

Mr. Okraku-Mantey from February 2014 – March 2021 was engaged by the Multimedia group as Programs Director where he was visibly noted for his creative skills in the Development and promotion of Programs. His specialty in ensuring good content and classic entertainment in TV production led him to always confer with Chief Operations Officer and production staff to discuss issues centred on production and casting glitches, budgets, policies, and entertainment content. Known for his accuracy and conformance to the rules and regulations governing the multimedia space, he was always involved in resolving programme log inaccuracies. This he did alongside many other schedules connected to production, content generation using best practices as his bench mark.

He was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Slip Entertainment now Slip Mark Entertainment which has been in existent since 2006 till date. At Slip Mark Entertainment, Honourable Okraku-Mantey went into Music production, producing hit Ghanaian artist such as George Jahrah in 2006 and Nana Tuffour around 2002. In 2001, he produced Oheneba Kissi, Daasebre Gyamena in 1999 and Lord Kenya in 1998. Mr. Okraku-Mantey also was into Film and Drama Executive Productions with Efiewura TV Series as one of his successful productions in 2001. His multi-talented nature drove him into Events and Programmes, notable among such events are the MTN Music Festival in 2018, Club Live which came up between 2015 – 2018, while Hi-Life Festival was seen around 2011 – 2012 and the most watched TV3 Mentorship programme in 2006 – 2012.

Aside his noticeable role in the entertainment space here in Ghana, Mr. Okraku- Mantey took up the responsibility to ensure an enabling environment through direct and indirect support for the arts and education artistes, creative practitioners and organisations. He led in the Coordination and facilitation activities of artistes and creative practitioners, organisations, government and cultural agencies nationally and internationally. Mr. Okraku-Mantey has been at the forefront in ensuring the growth of the creative industry nationally and internationally through partnership and industry development assistance that facilitated pathways to commercialisation and innovation. He also worked to ensure the removal of barriers to market access by practitioners in the creative industry. He was instrumental in the effective organisation and management of the creative industry.

Dr. Takaruza Munyanyiwa is a distinguished leader serving as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry in Zimbabwe. With an extensive
background in both academia and public service, Dr. Munyanyiwa brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his current role, where he oversees the strategic
development and promotion of Zimbabwe’s tourism sector to achieve a US $5 billion dollar economy by 2025.

His career is marked by significant achievements in policy development and implementation, focusing on sustainable tourism, cultural preservation, and economic growth. Dr. Munyanyiwa has been instrumental in crafting and executing policies that have positioned Zimbabwe as a leading tourist destination in Africa, attracting both
regional and international visitors. His leadership in the Ministry has been pivotal in enhancing the country’s tourism infrastructure, improving hospitality standards, and
fostering partnerships with global tourism stakeholders.

Dr. Munyanyiwa’s academic credentials are equally impressive, holding advanced degrees in fields related to tourism and management. His scholarly work and research
have contributed to a deeper understanding of sustainable tourism practices, making him a respected figure in both national and international tourism circles.

Under his stewardship, Zimbabwe’s tourism sector has seen remarkable growth, with initiatives that emphasize community involvement, environmental conservation, and the promotion of Zimbabwe’s rich cultural heritage. Dr. Munyanyiwa is committed to ensuring that tourism not only contributes to the national economy but also benefits
local communities and preserves the country’s natural and cultural resources for future generations.

His vision for the future of Zimbabwean tourism is ambitious yet achievable, focusing on innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability. Dr. Munyanyiwa continues to lead with integrity, dedication, and a deep passion for showcasing Zimbabwe’s unique attractions to the world.

His Excellency Albertus Aochamub has accumulated 27 years of experience in executive management and senior communications leadership roles, with expertise spanning academia, telecommunications, retail banking, public broadcasting, and diplomacy.

Between 1999 and 2019, he held several board-level roles in the financial services and non-profit sectors. As Director General/CEO of the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation from 2010 to 2015, Mr. Aochamub is recognized for his notable achievements in achieving financial sustainability and overseeing the transition to digital broadcasting. He also served as the Namibian President’s Press Secretary and Media Advisor from 2015 to 2018. In December 2018, he was appointed as the Namibian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the French Republic, with concurrent accreditation to Monaco, Spain, Portugal, and Italy, as well as to UNESCO (Paris), OECD (Paris), BIE (Paris), CPLP (Lisbon), and UNTOURISM (Madrid).

Ambassador Aochamub was a member of the Executive Board of UNESCO from 2019 to 2023 and currently serves on the Executive Council of UNTOURISM (Madrid) and the African World Heritage Fund (South Africa). In these capacities, he plays an active role in promoting tourism across Africa and advancing North-South dialogue.

In addition to his professional endeavours, the Namibian diplomat is a keen reader of current and global affairs, engages in poetry and prose as a hobby, and enjoys exploring wide open spaces around the world.

He holds an MA (Hons) from Glasgow University and an MBA in International Marketing from Sunderland University.

Mr. Oreneile Padipadi, is the Director of Entrepreneurial Mindset Change and Culture at the Ministry of Entrepreneurship, is a seasoned economist with a distinguished career spanning multiple sectors: Public Sector SMME Development, Export Development, Economic Planning, and Banking. His extensive experience and strategic vision have positioned him as a transformative leader in Botswana’s
economic landscape.

Mr. Padipadi is a shrewd economic planner whose roles in organizations such as the Local Enterprise Authority (LEA), Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC), Standard Bank, and the Francistown City Council have been instrumental in aligning local economic initiatives with national development plans. His ability to coordinate
and execute development projects has been a cornerstone of his career.

Padipadi has played a crucial role in shaping the entrepreneurial ecosystem, holding significant roles at the LEA where he served as Head of Corporate Affairs and Head of Channel Network.

In these capacities, he was pivotal in driving national planning efforts to enhance SMME development and the broader entrepreneurship landscape.

In his current role as Director of Entreprenurial Mindset Change and Culture at the Ministry of Entrepreneurship, Padipadi is at the forefront of fostering a culture of
innovation and resilience within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. He is responsible for developing and implementing strategies that promote a positive mindset and cultural shift towards entrepreneurship across the nation.

Ms. Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head – MEISEA, South African Tourism is currently at the helm of affairs, spearheading initiatives of the national tourism board in the Middle East, India and South East Asia.

Neliswa Nkani, a South African national, comes with holistic tourism experience that includes marketing, strategic government relations, negotiating, tourism, sales and investment facilitation. She exudes passion, drive & commitment and a never-ending quest for learning.

An industry veteran of 20 plus years in the global tourism & hospitality arena with overfour years of dedicated experience with South African Tourism, Neliswa has in-depth expertise of national government and local government positioning as well as familiarity with legislations, strategies and policies pertaining to the travel & tourism sectors. Her exhaustive knowledge of South Africa’s beautiful landscape coupled with befitting destination packaging resulted in Dutch arrivals to
South Africa exceeding targets for three consecutive years from 2003 to 2006.

Neliswa can fluently converse in 7 languages and prior to being Country Manager – Netherlands, South African Tourism, she was the Chief Marketing Officer for a Government Investment Agency focusing on Europe, Middle East and Africa. In 2006, she started a company which specialized in Marketing activation in Tourism, Tourism hosting. Through her tenure there, she has also been involved in projects for Ajax Cape Town and, was instrumental in Hosting Ajax Amsterdam in 2007. She has also previously coordinated the marketing of Cape Winelands for World Cup 2010, successfully lobbying for international teams, media, sponsor and fans.

Over the years, she developed a strong network of contacts within the travel & tourism sector – particularly in key economic regions including Brazil, Africa, Netherlands, Argentina, USA, and Europe as well as across the African continent including, South Africa. Neliswa is now dedicated towards taking the Indian market forward by leaps and bounds for South Africa as the Regional General Manager for Asia, Australia & Middle East and fostering long-standing relationships in the region.

Kamil is Regional Vice-President for Africa and the Middle East (AME), representing IATA in 68 countries, and serving 57 airlines across AME. Prior to joining IATA, Kamil was the CEO of Kuwait Airways and held various key positions at the airline. A national of Kuwait, Al-Awadhi holds an MBA in Aerospace Management from the Toulouse Business School and an Engineering degree in Aircraft Maintenance Management from Air Service Training (AST) in the UK.

Prof Urmilla Bob is a Full Professor of Geography and Environmental Sciences in the School of Agriculture, Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), South Africa. She was the University Dean of Research at UKZN from 2013-2023. She has a Masters and PhD in Geography from West Virginia University, USA and a Masters in Tertiary Education Management from the University of Melbourne, Australia. She conducts research on a range of developmental and environmental issues, including cultural aspects as a senior researcher for the South African Cultural Observatory (SACO), mandated to undertaking research and capacity-building for the National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture in South Africa. She has published in these fields in both nationally and internationally recognised academic books and journals as well as been involved in consultancy-based projects. She has supervised to completion more than 75 Masters and PhD students in. She has been involved in collaborative research with national and international academic organizations and NGOs, attending several conferences and workshops worldwide. She has training expertise in quantitative and qualitative methodologies and techniques, monitoring and evaluation, development of indicators, social and environmental impact assessments, gender analytical methodologies, research planning, and the development of academics and postgraduate students. She is currently a member of KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Planning Commission and on the Board of the International Evaluation Academy. In terms of her work in the cultural and creative as well as sport spaces, she has been involved in several consultancy-based projects. This includes impact assessments and the monitoring and evaluation of key national strategies in South Africa (such as the Mzansi Golden Economy program) and national initiatives/ organizations providing support to these sectors. There is also a focus on several thematic issues pertinent to the challenges and opportunities facing culture and sport in society, including issues pertaining to gender-based violence, protection of creative content and rights, sustainability considerations (including in relation to current funding approaches and the reliance on public funding), impacts of and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, entrepreneurship, and addressing inclusion (such as addressing the needs of women and persons living with disabilities). The consultancy projects include socio-economic impact assessments of specific events and activities. The research draws on examining international comparisons and best practices, focusing on the African continent. She has also undertaken training, both in relation to sharing findings and the implications thereof for policy and program development as well as in terms of building research capacity. She is currently leading projects for SACO on the following topics: building a case for Community Arts Centres to receive conditional grant funding; the integration of sport, arts and culture into the District Development Model; the sector’s economic recovery post the economic downturn (linked to the COVID-19 pandemic), the 4IR and other disruptions such as climate change; and the National Sport and Recreation Plan (NSRP) implementation status.

Mr. Keletsositse Olebile is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC). His role includes, being the lead advocate for a competitive and attractive investment climate in Botswana, facilitation of both domestic and foreign sourced investments, provision of aftercare services for companies doing business in Botswana, facilitation of regional expansions by Botswana based companies, and facilitation of Botswana goods and services into diversified export markets. Of great importance within his role is the national image building, and global awareness creation about Botswana through the Brand Botswana portfolio.  He currently also serves as Board Member for Special Economic Zones Authority (SEZA).

Keletso Bogatsu is the current General Manager for Peermont Botswana, part of the prestigious Peermont Resorts. The Gaborone-born General Manager was appointed in November of 2021 and boasts a pedigree of over 25 years in the tourism and gaming industry, having started at Protea Hotels in 1996 and becoming the first Black Female Manager for the group.

She was also was responsible for developing a 5-Star Hotel in Abuja, Nigeria for Mantis
Hotels and served as Development General Manager. At Peermont Botswana she oversees the Grand Palm Hotel Convention Resort, The Gaborone International Convention Centre (GICC), the Mondior Hotel Gaborone, as well as the Metcourt Hotel and Sedibeng Casino in Francistown.Training (AST) in the UK.

Lehlogonolo Mashego Is A Sustainability Manager At BDO South Africa. She Is The Chairperson Of The International Association Of Impact Assessment – South Africa (Gauteng Branch) Which Aims To Connect Professionals In The Impact Assessment And Sustainability Space. She Holds A Masters In Environmental Science Attained From The University Of Witwatersrand – 2021. With Seven Years Of Professional Experience, She Has Served Both The Private And Public Sectors Having Conducted Work In The Mining Industry, Township Establishments, Energy Sector, Resettlement, Manufacturing, And Maintenance/Rehabilitation-Related Work. Her Profession Has Served To Equip Her With The Sensitivities That We Face As A Population And The Urgent Need To Present Practical Solutions Towards Reaching The Set Sustainability Development Goals And Climate Reduction Ambitions.

Kaddu Kiwe Sebunya is a prominent figure in the realm of conservation, celebrated for his visionary leadership and steadfast dedication to protecting Africa’s wildlife and wilderness areas. Since assuming the CEO role at the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) in 2019, he has played a pivotal role in steering the organization towards a new era of conservation excellence, shaping its strategic direction and fostering multi-sectoral collaborations.

With a career spanning over three decades across the USA, Africa, and Europe, Kaddu has held various positions at grassroots, national, and regional levels. Before becoming CEO, he served as AWF’s President, showcasing exceptional leadership and a profound passion for conservation. At the heart of his mission lies a vision for a modern Africa where wildlife and wilderness flourish as essential components of human development, cultural heritage, and economic prosperity.

Under Kaddu’s guidance, AWF has emerged as a leading advocate for African conservation, advocating for the continent’s natural heritage on both local and global platforms. He led the unveiling of a groundbreaking 10-year strategic vision in 2020, emphasizing the coexistence of wildlife conservation with sustainable progress. Kaddu’s leadership extends beyond AWF, as he actively engages with diverse stakeholders and prestigious networks to elevate African voices in the global conservation discourse and foster collaboration for regional conservation efforts.

June Chepkemei is the Chief Executive Officer at Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), where she spearheads strategic initiatives to position Kenya as a premier tourist destination.

Before assuming her current role, June served as the Managing Director at Kenya Investment Authority (KENINVEST), where she played a pivotal role in promoting and facilitating investments in the country. Prior to KENINVEST, she held the position of Head of Marketing & Corporate Communications at Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA). During her tenure at KoTDA, June pioneered the Konza Innovation Ecosystem Initiative, which garnered international recognition as the 3rd Most inspiring solution by the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP).

Earlier in her career, June held the position of Communications Business Partner at Safaricom Limited, where she spent six years honing her skills in the media industry. She also served as a Project Coordinator for Kenya Advance Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), a collaborative project between the Ministry of ICT & Digital Economy and the Ministry of Education
(MoE). 

June’s academic credentials include a Master’s Degree in Communications Studies from Moi University, a bachelor’s Degree in PR & Communications, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Marketing from The Chartered Institute Of Marketing UK. Additionally, she has completed an Executive training program on Innovation from Stanford Centre for Professional Development. Currently, June is pursuing a Ph.D. in Information Science, furthering her commitment to academic and professional excellence.

June is also a member of the Public Relations Society of Kenya. She has been appointed to prestigious roles such as the Taskforce on the Kenya Media Policy Guidelines and was named among the Top 25 Women in Digital 2021. She was named TOP 40 UNDER 40 WOMEN in Kenya
in 2023. 

In 2022, June led Kenya’s successful bid to host the 41st International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP) world conference in 2024. Additionally, she played a key role in organizing the Technology and Innovation Jamhuri event in 2022, showcasing Kenya’s
prowess in technology and innovation.

June Chepkemei is a dynamic leader committed to driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and showcasing Kenya’s potential on the global stage. With her diverse skill set and unwavering dedication, she continues to make significant contributions to the growth and development of Kenya’s tourism industry.

Dr Tracy Daniels is the Academic Head of Hospitality at the University of Johannesburg School of Tourism and Hospitality (STH). Tracy holds an MTech in Tourism and Hospitality Management from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). With a combined 15 years of industry and academic experience in the fields of tourism, events and hospitality management, Tracy is a passionate teacher and researcher, lecturing a number of modules in these disciplines. Her research interests are in sports tourism, event management and graduate – industry alignment within the fields of tourism, hospitality and event management. Tracy is actively engaged in work integrated education (WIE) activities at the STH, liaising with the tourism and hospitality industries to create opportunities for student engagement and exposure to industry practices, ensuring graduate readiness and supporting student entrepreneurship. Tracy’s vision is to contribute to the development of innovative tourism, event management and hospitality teaching and learning practices, promote student engagement with industry and add to the growing body of knowledge of sport event tourism, hospitality and events by conducting cutting edge research activities.

Anne Kaoma Sibanda is a seasoned and self-motivated professional who is highly experienced in human capital development, with over 15 years of experience in Strategic Human Resources Management. As the Executive Director of the Zambia Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Studies, she brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the field. Her career is characterized by a deep understanding of business operations and processes, which she uses to align human capital with business strategy, ensuring organizational success.

Driven by a passion for human capital and organizational excellence, Anne is on a mission to elevate human capital development to a strategic level, viewing it as a critical tool for gaining a competitive edge. She advocates for the integration of human capital management at the highest levels of strategy formation, believing that the success of any organization hinges on having the right people in place to execute its objectives efficiently and effectively.

Anne’s expertise is not just theoretical; she has a proven track record of implementing best practices. Her journey in human capital development began with Emanuel DaCosta Coaching Services in Hamilton, Canada, and has since evolved into executive-level positions in the tourism and hospitality industry, where she has continued to make significant contributions.

A licensed HR practitioner and a full member of the Zambia Institute of Human Resource Management, Anne also holds memberships with the Directors Institute of Zambia and the Zambia Institute of Directors. Her academic credentials include an undergraduate degree in Business and Psychology from Redeemer University in Ancaster, Canada, and a Master of Business Administration from The University of Liverpool.

In addition to her professional achievements, Anne is also an international conference speaker, sharing her insights on human capital development and its critical role in business success. Beyond her career, she is a mother of three beautiful girls and enjoys long-distance running, where her endurance reflects her approach to life and work—steady, committed, and focused on the long-term goals.

Having started his career as a bell boy at the age of 18, hospitality is in Nils’ DNA. Following his training as a chef, followed stations in Paris, London, Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Nils worked in every conceivable department to ensure an all-round background to the industry. In Paris, Le Warwick and Le Bristol were his places of work. During his three years in London, he worked at the Four Seasons, Inn on the Park, The Sheraton Belgravia and The Mayfair Intercontinental. After working at Johannesburg’s Sandton Sun for three years, he continued in Cape Town- after a period back in back in Germany at the Peninsula All Suite Hotel as Food & Beverage Manager and then as Deputy GM in charge of Rooms Division. In 1995, Nils took over the running of Winchester Mansions Hotel. During his 18-year tenure, Nils is proud to have achieved much acclaim for the now well-known four-star hotel as well as the other assets of the owners. Nils has been involved with many industry bodies and chaired a variety of them over the years. He completed the Real Estate Investments and Asset Management Cornell Certificate as well as the CHIA certificate.

Christian, CEO and founder of Rwanda Events Group, brings over 16 years of extensive experience in the events industry to the panel. At the helm of his company,
he has demonstrated drive-in executive management, successfully leading the growth of his company from a small agency to becoming one of the leading events
management companies in Rwanda. Under his leadership, Rwanda Events has delivered several prominent events for government bodies, multinationals, and international organizations.

He is deeply committed to mentoring young professionals in Rwanda, aiming to empower them to reach their full potential within the events sector. This commitment forms the core of his professional ethos. Christian is an alumnus of Africa Leadership University, holding an MBA, and he has also completed the Senior Executive Program at Columbia Business School, further enhancing his leadership and strategic capabilities.

Kamil Abdul-Karrim has trained as an Accountant at UNISA and spent his earlier career in accounting and finance developing into CFO for two Global companies in the service environment. Kamil then embarked on post-graduate studies completing a PDM- Public Policy Development and Administration at Wits University in 1996 and went on to achieve his MBA with Bond University in Australia during 1998.

Kamil, having held the position of Strategic Marketing Director for Southern Sun Hotels, moved on to set up his own Strategic Consultancy culminating in the current strategic venture with PAM GOLDING Properties. 

PAM GOLDING Tourism & Hospitality Consulting is a partner of numerous financial institutions, leading hotel operating companies and property development companies, including The SAXON Hotel and Spa, MARRIOTT Hotels, Radisson Hotel Group, Providence Hospitality, Indalo Hotels, numerous Commercial Banks, Funding Agencies and DFIs, among others.

Kamil has served as a member on various boards and committees including the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Authority, Durban- Africa, Gauteng Tourism Authority, Tourism Research Advisory Committee of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Bilateral Aviation Committee of the Department of Transport and Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, among others. Kamil was also a Non-Executive Director of the JSE listed Hospitality Property Fund.

Lady Rachel Nathaniel-Koch is a distinguished Director of the Namibia Tourism Board, where her unwavering dedication to the tourism sector is pivotal in steering its growth and sustainability. A qualified lawyer by profession, Ms. Nathaniel-Koch possesses a profound passion for tourism, believing it to be an arena replete with possibilities. Through strategic vision and innovative
approaches, she advocates for the tourism industry’s potential to significantly enhance economic development and boost the GDP of the nation.

With extensive expertise in company law, land law, and mining law, Nathaniel-Koch has established herself as a leading legal authority. She currently serves as a Commissioner on the Commissioner of Mines on the Rights and Auxiliary Commission and has previously lent her expertise to the Land Advisory Commission and the Transportation Commission of Namibia, showcasing her commitment to fostering legal frameworks that support the nation’s progress.

In addition to her public service, Ms Nathaniel-Koch is the founder of Nathaniel and Associates Incorporated, a respected legal consulting firm. She further demonstrates her entrepreneurial spirit through Rachida Investments, a hospitality trading company she founded alongside her daughter, merging her legal acumen with her passion for the tourism industry.

Before her legal career, Ms Nathaniel-Koch Rachel was a prominent radio and television journalist, an experience that enriched her enthusiasm for marketing and strengthened her ability to communicate effectively in diverse environments. Her multifaceted background and dedication to promoting Namibia as a premier tourist destination make her a valuable asset in both the legal and tourism sectors.