The Department of Tourism, in partnership with the UNISA Graduate School of Business Leadership (SBL), held a graduation ceremony to recognise women who successfully completed the Executive Development Programme (EDP) for women in tourism.

The EDP is a transformation intervention that aims to upskill women for executive positions, with the view of addressing the skewed management and ownership landscape in the tourism and hospitality industries.

The graduation ceremony acknowledged the achievements of 39 women who enrolled in the 2019 and 2021 legs of the EDP. Women from across the country participated in a 12-month training programme through UNISA’s SBL, equipping them with skills to lead and drive innovative organisational strategies in their vocations.

“Today, we celebrate the outstanding performance of dedicated and determined women who, against all odds, successfully completed the Executive Development programme. As the government, we revere the heroic contribution of women in all sectors, and we especially look forward to having these graduates entering the sector as leaders and drivers of change,” said Deputy Minister of Tourism Fish Mahlalela.

Although women make up nearly 70% of South Africa’s tourism workforce, there is an under-representation of women in senior positions. Women hold less than 40% of all managerial positions, less than 20% of general management roles, and between 5 to 8% of board positions in the sector.

Since its inception in 2016, the Department has invested R8 million in the EDP, and it has capacitated 120 women in managerial and entrepreneurial skills. A total of 94 women have successfully graduated from the programme, with some advancing as entrepreneurs or being promoted as managers in their fields.

The event marked the first graduation ceremony post the COVID-19 pandemic for UNISA (SBL). Speaking at the ceremony, the Deputy Executive Dean for SBL Mr. Andile Nobatyi, lauded the graduate’s achievements and called on them to make a meaningful contribution to the sector with their acquired skills.

“The Executive Development Programme you have just completed will open a whole new world for you with endless opportunities. I urge you to plough back into the industry as leaders that will champion the advancement of the tourism sector,” added Deputy Executive Dean Nobatyi.

EDP graduate Ms. Zukiswa Quagraine shared her insights on how the programme elevated her career in tourism over the past five years. She encouraged the graduates to continue to work together going forward to ensure their success in the sector.

Courtesy of Tourism News Africa – read full article here.