Brümilda Swartbooi
For Xolile Maswanganyi, who was recently appointed Manager: Tourism Sector Support at Johannesburg Tourism Company (JTC), it marks a full-circle moment in her career.
Having previously worked as a Coordinator in the same department, Xolile played an instrumental role in advancing JTC’s mission of fostering sustainable tourism development and supporting local tourism businesses.
Xolile says her new appointment has been a big motivator. “In my current role I work closely with SMMEs to insure they’re compliant and provide assistance with market access.”
A new programme she is excited about is the development of the Tourism Master Plan. “This is the blueprint of tourism development in the City. It will grow tourism in Johannesburg. We have different niche markets that we’re able to focus on. We’ve got shopping, medical tourism, heritage and culture. Through this Master Plan we can focus on each niche and develop it.”
In her previous role she successfully spearheaded a range of initiatives, most notably the Tourism Ambassadors Programme, which empowered over 400 young people in Johannesburg with skills and opportunities in the tourism sector.
What steered her towards a tourism career was seeing her father, Fixon Hlungwani, work in the industry when she was growing up. “My mother, Patience, is a teacher, but I was always drawn to my father’s work. For me it was either tourism or social work. Today, I’m fortunate to have a thriving career in tourism and I get to interact with amazing people.”
Boasting over 20 years of experience in the tourism sector, her career started at the Department of Economic Development Environment and Tourism in Limpopo. She advanced to a Marketing Manager role and thereafter a consultant role at Legend Lodges, Hotels & Resorts. She joined the City of Johannesburg’s Economic Development: Tourism Development in 2011.
Xolile holds a B.Com in Marketing Management from the University of South Africa, a Diploma in Tourism and pursued many additional certificates. As a person who is passionate about giving back, Xolile volunteers through her church. After her husband’s passing in 2017, Xolile became involved in the Grief Share programme at church, and she is now one of its facilitators. At home she is a mother to three beautiful children, two boys and a girl.
“All my successes and I just want to glorify God with them and appreciate my dad who was my pillar and my mom.”
She grew up in a small town outside Tzaneen and a Bible verse she lives by is, “…At the right time, I, the Lord, will make it happen.” Xolile says this verse has always motivated her, and when her recent appointment came through, it felt like a fulfillment of the scripture.
“It reminded me that everything happens for a reason and God is always in control.”
Interestingly, she also holds a degree in Theology.
SOURCED FROM THE JOBURG WEBSITE.
