Gail McCann Westphal is a seasoned tourism roleplayer with expertise in tourism, hospitality, and skills development. As Founder of Giant Workforce Solutions and a successful facilitator in soft skills and motivation, she empowers teams to deliver exceptional service experiences.

Gail’s distinguished career encompasses leadership roles across the hospitality sector, spanning sales and marketing to executive management. It has also extended to board positions, such as Tourism Marketing South Africa and the Tourism Business Council of South Africa.

Regularly featured as a thought leader at industry events, she is known for her commitment to workforce development, transformation, and elevating South Africa’s global tourism footprint.

Ndabezitha “Ndabo” Khoza is the CEO of uShaka Marine World, bringing strong tourism leadership to the role following his previous position as CEO of KwaZulu-Natal Tourism. Since taking the helm in 2020, he has focused on revitalising uShaka as a premier tourism destination, driving strategic partnerships and championing community engagement. Known for his dynamic approach, Khoza continues to position uShaka at the forefront of Durban’s tourism landscape.

Glenton De Kock is a prominent leader in South Africa’s Meetings, Events, and Tourism industry, currently serving as CEO of SAACI.

With extensive experience across both public and private sectors, he is instrumental in elevating the industry’s professionalism, sustainability, and global competitiveness. His expertise includes tourism development, destination management, stakeholder engagement, and organisational transformation.

Glenton is a passionate advocate for collaborative, sustainable event practices that prioritise community benefit and balance environmental stewardship with human impact.

Brett Tungay is the Chairperson of FEDHASA East Coast and Managing Director of Dragon Peaks Mountain Resort, with a distinguished track record in hospitality and tourism leadership in KwaZulu‑Natal.

He is a dynamic voice for the industry, most recently sharing insights on the economic impact of major events like the Comrades Marathon, and discussing strategies to boost resilience in hospitality through interviews with Fast Company, eNCA, CapeTalk, and Radio Islam
dailynews.co.za.

Under his stewardship, FEDHASA East Coast has emphasised event-driven tourism growth and adapting to challenges like extreme weather and domestic travel trends.

Bunny Bhoola is the Founder and Managing Director of African Link Tours & Travel, one of South Africa's leading travel companies. With a BTech in Tourism Management and decades of industry leadership, Bunny has been instrumental in designing innovative travel products, forging strong stakeholder networks, and championing transformation in the tourism sector.

She has served on numerous boards—including SATSA, KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Authority, Pietermaritzburg Tourism, the Tourism BEE Council, and the KZN Sharks Board—bringing strategic insight and operational expertise to each role.

A celebrated entrepreneur, Bunny has received multiple awards for her leadership and social impact, and is recognized for her commitment to mentorship, empowerment, and sustainable growth in Southern Africa's tourism community.

Hannelie du Toit is the Chief Operating Officer of SATSA, the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association. With a career spanning over three decades in the tourism sector, Hannelie brings deep industry insight, a passion for responsible tourism, and a strong commitment to enabling growth across the value chain.

At SATSA, she leads on governance, advocacy, partnerships, and strategic projects, championing initiatives that support SME development, industry transformation, and self-regulation.

Known for her practical approach and creative thinking, Hannelie is a driving force behind some of the industry’s most meaningful collaborations and impact-driven programmes.

Jackie Motsepe is the Chief Operations Officer of the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority, where she plays a pivotal role in aligning the province’s tourism and film sectors for inclusive growth. With a strong focus on transformation and empowerment, Jackie leads initiatives that foster opportunities for women, youth, and emerging creatives.

Her leadership is characterised by a strategic vision and a deep commitment to building sustainable platforms that enhance KwaZulu-Natal’s global profile across both industries.

Hlengiwe Dube is the Senior Manager of Tourism Services at Durban Tourism, boasting over 15 years’ experience across the public and private sectors. She champions collaborative strategies that drive tourism growth and local empowerment.

Hlengiwe regularly represents Durban at global events, including SeaTrade Cruise Global in Miami and ITB Berlin, where she connects local product owners with international stakeholders to position the city as a top-tier destination.

At home, she is a strong advocate for township, heritage, and community-based tourism, highlighting the importance of these sectors in creating jobs and unlocking economic opportunities.

Colonel Kacey Naicker is a senior officer with the Durban Metro Police Service, currently serving as a Colonel and playing a key leadership role in community safety and public space management across the city.

With a career spanning nearly two decades, Col. Naicker has worked extensively in crime prevention, special projects, and public safety strategy.

He is known for his collaborative approach, regularly engaging with stakeholders to create safer, more inclusive environments in Durban. His long-standing commitment to policing excellence makes him a respected figure within the Metro Police and broader law enforcement community.

Dr Mkhize is a seasoned conservation and tourism leader and currently serves as a board member of the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority. He previously served as CEO of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, leading the organisation from December 2008, following a successful tenure as Managing Executive of Kruger National Park, which began in March 2004.

He holds a PhD in Geography from the University of KwaZulu‑Natal and a Master’s in Tourism from the University of South Carolina. Dr Mkhize is known for championing community-inclusive conservation, raising the number of black visitors to Kruger by nearly 25% during his tenure, and currently chairs the KwaZulu World Carnival in Durban, which celebrates authentic Zulu culture as a vibrant tourism attraction.