2022 Speakers

speakers

The event will host over thirty (30) world-renowned global industry experts, speakers, business leaders, ministers, policy makers, and over three hundred (300) delegates from over thirty (30) countries. These will include:

south africa –Johannesburg

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ATP Partnerships Johannesburg

Rejoice Chishamba- Projects Co-ordinator

Email: rejoice@africatourismpartners.com

RSA office address

Africa Tourism Leadership Forum (ATLF) 2022. All Rights Reserved. Powered by DesignLeads

Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili is Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) since 1 January 2018 after being elected by the 22nd Session of UNWTO General Assembly. He was Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Kingdom of Spain, the Principality of Andorra, the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria and the Kingdom of Morocco and Permanent Representative of Georgia to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) up to December 2017.

Between 2009 and 2010, he was Minister of Economic Development of Georgia.As a Minister of Economic Development of Georgia, Mr Pololikashvili was responsible for overseeing the country’s long-term fiscal growth strategies, advancing foreign trade and investment policy initiatives as well as for promoting the development of the tourism, infrastructure and transportation sectors. He was instrumental in launching an innovative policy for the development of tourism in Georgia, prioritizing the sphere on both the government and private sector agendas. During Mr Pololikashvili’s tenure as Minister of Economic Development, through key policy reforms, marketing activities, improvement of infrastructure and visa liberalization initiatives, Georgia nearly doubled the number of international tourist arrivals, from 1.5 million (2009) to exceeding the 2.8 million mark by 2011. Those reforms paved the way for sustainable tourism practices in Georgia and poverty alleviation initiatives, placing Georgia among the top tourism destinations in the region. Minister Pololikashvili successfully led the economic liberalization processes, introducing supportive policies for SMEs, and incentive programmes to attract foreign investment for the development of hard and soft infrastructure.

2006 – 2009 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia to the Kingdom of Spain.

2005 – 2006 Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia. In this capacity as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, he supervised the departments for administrative, budgetary, financial and consular affairs, as well as the Department for Human Resources Management. Mr. Pololikashvili was responsible for ushering in a new phase of more liberal and secure visa regimes, facilitation of processes to ease border crossing procedures, and deepening relations with various international organizations, including UNWTO.

Hon. Philda Nani Kereng, is the Minister of Environment & Tourism. She has brought a new impetus to the tourism industry of Botswana by revising the tourism policy so as to enhance the participation of the country’s citizens in the tourism industry and to diversify the tourism products away from the traditional wildlife and wilderness to other products such as heritage & cultural tourism and increasing product diversification across the country. She has been instrumental in the development and adoption of the Botswana’s first Climate Change Policy and Strategy.

She has devised strategies to accelerate the recovery of Botswana tourism industry from the negative impact of COVID 19 through networking with different partners so as to achieve sustained growth while improving sustainable conservation practices and positioning Botswana as a tourism and investment regional hub.

Hon. Kereng efforts has earned due recognition and has been acknowledged as one of Africa’s Tourism Board Key Leaders in Africa.

She has also been active on the social front since 1995. She held until 2001 the post of Chief of Surveys and Follow ups of the Rural Industries Innovation Center, planning and managing nation-wide sociological research projects to improve industrial and farming activities.

Furthermore, she has also been a Project Officer for Community Development of the Action for Economic Empowerment Trust, a local partner of the US African Development Foundation (ADF), working closely with rural communities to identify, plan and manage community ecotourism projects.

Her grassroots knowledge of the Botswana’s society led the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to appoint her as Child Protection Officer to drive the national programme on orphan care and child services in collaboration with NGOs and CBOs. She was also instrumental in the development of the Children’s Act of 2009.

Hon. Kereng received an award for being one of Africa’s Tourism Board (ATB)’s Key Leader in Africa at the first East African Regional Tourism Expo on the 9 October 2021. The award recognizes her excellence in driving development of sound tourism recovery strategies. Such strategies include the review of tourism regulations, the Tourism Policy, development of climate change and response and integrated waste management Policy amongst the few.

Furthermore, she was recently recognized through the Pyne Awards Africa 2022 for outstanding contribution to community tourism development in Botswana and Africa by advancing priorities that are people centric in light of the health and economic setbacks caused by the coronavirus pandemic. As such communities have become core actors in the value chains created under the Community Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) programme

Hon. Philda Nani Kereng holds a B.A. in Public Administration and Sociology as well as a Masters in Sociology of Development (UK).
In parallel to her State responsibilities, she is an associate pastor in a local church and often acts as counselor and life coach for families, women and young people.

Honourable Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal is currently Ghana’s Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture. Dr. Mohammed Awal trained and worked as a journalist and a marketer for several years with Ghana’s premier newspaper and media house the Graphic Communications Group Limited, He joined the Graphic Communications Group as a reporter, page editor, advertising manager, general manager, and finally led the company as its Chief Executive Officer.

In the area of entrepreneurship, Dr. Mohammed Awal once led the affairs of Chase Petroleum Corporation, a downstream oil and gas company that operates in Ghana. He also founded and led Marble Communications Group Limited, a private media and publishing house in Ghana as its Chief Executive Officer. Also, as an entrepreneurial expert, Dr. Mohammed Awal had the occasion to offer his services as a consultant in the areas of business strategy, management, marketing, and communications, offering his services to Diplomatic Missions, Development partners as well as state institutions.

Aside from his current political portfolio as Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr. Mohammed Awal served as the Minister for Business Development between January 2017 and February 2021. He is the first and the only person to have served his country Ghana under that Ministry. He is widely credited for developing an Entrepreneurship Policy for Ghana whilst serving in that capacity. As an entrepreneur, Dr. Mohammed Awal is the founder and owner of a number of companies and is a strong advocate for linking classrooms to real-world experiences, and therefore has consistently maintained the need to “bring the classroom into industry, and industry into the classroom” towards creating economic transformation for Ghana and Africa at large.

Dr. Mohammed Awal is an ineluctable pillar in the Government of Ghana and has represented the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as his Special Envoy, representing him on special assignments which include special Presidential and Diplomatic missions to the United States of America, United Kingdom, India, Turkey, Germany, France, Hungary, China, Morocco, Iran, Italy, Central African Republic, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Croatia, Qatar and Portugal and Guinea Bissau and on missions to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

Dr. Mohammed Awal has copped numerous awards and recognitions. In 2019, he was adjudged ‘the Most Business-Oriented Minister’ of Africa by the World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF). He was also named ‘the Best Performing Minister’ and the ‘Most Outstanding Minister in Ghana’ for 2018 and 2019 respectively by the Ghana Entrepreneur and Corporate Executive Awards. In 2009, the Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana (CIMG) awarded Dr. Mohammed Awal as ‘Ghana’s Marketing Man of the Year’, and impressively also, declared him ‘the Most Respected Chief Executive Officer’ of the country in the same year. He was also awarded by The Mediterranean Tourism Foundation for Innovative Tourism.

Dr. Mohammed Awal holds a Doctorate Degree in Business Administration with a specialty in succession planning and business competitiveness from the Swiss Business School and three master’s degrees, one in Applied Business Research from the Swiss Business School, Switzerland, an Executive Masters in Business Administration from the University of Ghana Business School, Legon and a Masters in International Journalism from the University of Wales, United Kingdom.

Dr. Mohammed Awal believes in continuous professional and personal education and participates in study and training opportunities including courses in Business Strategy at Harvard Business School, USA, and oil production and management at Oxford, United Kingdom.

As a trailblazer in the entrepreneurial and political landscape in Africa, Dr. Mohammed Awal was the brainchild behind the flagship project in the tourism sector, dubbed ‘Destination Ghana’, which was launched by the President of the Republic of Ghana H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in April 2022 in London, United Kingdom.

Under Dr. Mohammed Awal’s leadership, Ghana seeks to position herself as the most preferred tourist destination in Africa and Ghana as the ‘Centre of the World’. This initiative along with the aforementioned achievements attest palpably to Dr. Mohammed Awal’s unwavering commitment as a business and political leader who has the vision to see the improvement of the entrepreneurial and business ecosystem in Ghana and Africa through trade and investment, tourism, arts, and culture.

Mindi Hellen Pamela Kasiga is an Ambassador and Director of Government Communications in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation. She was appointed by H.E. Mama Samia Suluhu Hassan, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania. Before her appointment, Ms. Kasiga was the Director of Marketing at the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB), the body mandated with tourism promotion under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism. Despite the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Kasiga led a team of marketers that vigorously promoted a double-edged approach; promoting domestic tourism by urging Tanzanians to travel within the country. Similarly, the promotion of tourism internationally through Tanzania Ambassadors outside the country and International Airlines operating in Tanzania. This helped Tanzania tourism to remain relevant to the minds of international travelers during the world pandemic season.

Ms. Kasiga also worked in the Ministry of Industries and Trade and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation as the Head of Government Communications and Spokesperson. In both ministries, Ms. Kasiga led a team of journalists and government communications specialists to unpack policy statements, craft messages, and brief the media about government decisions and actions regarding the portfolios of those Ministries. Before these experiences, Ms. Kasiga served as a Minister Counselor in charge of Communications at the Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania in Washington D.C. Besides her daily work, Ms. Kasiga visited several elementary schools around the DMV area, presenting touristic and historical attractions available in Tanzania.Before joining diplomatic services, Ambassador Kasiga worked with T anzania’s Directorate of Presidential Communications and had an opportunity to work with the Late President Benjamin William Mkapa and President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete during the 3rd and 4th phases of government leadership of Tanzania.

Ms. Kasiga holds a master’s degree in Security and Strategic Studies from the National Defence College, Dar es Salaam Tanzania (2019); a master’s degree in Diplomacy: Conflict Resolution from Norwich University – Vermont, USA (2016); and a bachelor’s degree in Communications Arts from Wartburg College – Iowa, USA (2002). Ms. Kasiga, a cheerful and hard-working civil servant, fun- loving and passionate communicator, is a third-born daughter of the Late Dr. John Peter Kasiga and Christine Zephania Kasiga. She currently resides in Dar es Salaam with her husband Leo and daughter Amara. During her free time, she enjoys family time together, traveling, going to the gym, dancing Zumba, attending bible study lessons, reading, and watching movies.

Bonita Mutoni is the founder of Uber Luxe Safaris (ULS), one of Rwanda’s ultimate authentic safari and destination experience management businesses. ULS is a boutique luxury safari company that offers bespoke tours and travel packages within the Eastern African region, offering the highest level of bespoke services to discerning travelers. In addition to magniﬁcent savannah excursions, migration views in the Serengeti, or Maasai Mara, ULS emphasizes tailoring experiences that focus on nature while simultaneously supporting sustainable tourism, such as the endangered mountain gorillas in Rwanda.

Bonita served as the Director of Sales and Marketing for 7 years for both of the One&Only resorts in Rwanda-Gorillas Nest and Nyungwe House. One&Only, which is a part of the Kerzer group, is a collection of opulent resorts located in breathtaking settings all around the world.

For the last 5 years, she has been the Chairperson of the Rwanda Tours and Travel Association, which is Rwanda’s tourism board that has a mission to uphold ethical business practices among members while ensuring sustainable development of the tourism industry in Rwanda. She is on the board of the Rwanda Association of Professional Conference Organizers.

She is also the co-founder and managing partner for Ikaze PCO, an experience-focused and customer-centric company, targeting inbound tourism and, in particular, MICE tourism, with a strong focus on conference and incentive travel to Rwanda. Ikaze PCO has curated high-proﬁle events such as CHOGM street festival 2022, CHOGM cricket festival, and CHOGM Networking Golf Tournament; evening parties for BAL; and a range of professional conferences and expos such as the African Tourism Leadership Forum and the East African Wedding Show.

Upon becoming the co-founder of Global Events Africa, which focuses on bringing major sports events to the Continent, Bonita was a part of the team that acquired the license to host the ﬁrst ever IRONMAN 70.3 in East Africa this coming August. The extreme multi-discipline event known as the Ironman involves swimming, cycling, and running a signiﬁcant amount of distance in one day. Athletes are pushed to the limit during an Ironman Triathlon, altering ideas of what the human body is capable of.

Bonita also serves as a board member of the East African Tourism Platform. The East Africa Tourism Platform (EATP) is the private sector body for tourism in East Africa, working towards promoting the interest and participation of the private sector in the East African Community (EAC) integration process.

Linda Pereira is the senior partner and CEO of the L&I Communications Group. In additionto her long and respected career as one of the most influential voices in the Meeting Industry, she is also Executive Director of CPL Meetings & Events. Respected internationally as a speaker, consultant, strategic communication expert, writer and as an educator, she has been an invited speakerin over 149 countries on all continents.

She is an expert in communication and corporate diplomacy, and has a vast experience in cross-cultural communication strategies, localisation, and public speakingand as a master of ceremonies.
She has worked on the major events which marked the last 30 years of modern history, from World EXPOs, to Football and Sports Championships, various EU Presidencies and major political events. She is also an invited lecturer at five different international Universities where she lectures strategic meetings management and corporate diplomacy and protocol.

She is absolutely passionate about associations and sits on a variety of international association boards herself. Linda is also a consultant to a variety of international Governments and associations. She was considered one of Portugal’s five most influential people in the industry and has received various international education awards as well as the medal of honour for responsible entrepreneurship for her commitment to promoting culture and heritage and for Social Responsibility initiatives.

She has also been voted business woman of the year for three consecutive years. She sits on various Advisory Boards, and Education Committees and presides over three- She is also the Chair of the Association World Congress for 2022. She was president of the Global Council for Women in Leadership for two mandates. She is currently special advisor to the Minister for the Economy of Cape Verde and sits on the Advisory Council for the Leader Magazine and the Venues of Excellence Certification Board. She also sits on the Board of The Portugal-India and Portugal-Holland Chambers of Commerce. She presides the Crossroads platform focused on up-scaling and attracting investment for start-up businesses. She sits on the Portugal Chapter of Women In Tech, a Global Association. She is a business development consultant to the MICE business sector in Saudi Arabia, Croatia, Slovenia, Macau, Georgia, Ghana and Cape Verde.
She is currently a member of the Women’s Africa PCO Alliance. In 2021 she received the Lifetime Achievement Award for the MICE Industry. Linda has recently been elected one of the Global 100 women leaders.
She considers her two daughters as her greatest achievement.

Judy has a wealth of knowledge in sustainable travel and tourism across the African continent.
Judy is a sustainable tourism advocate, planner, adviser, assessor and trainer with over 20 years’ experience working with tourism sector, communities, conservation. Holder of MA in Rural Sociology & Community Development, Judy has dedicated her professional life to creating awareness on sustainable tourism. This has involved, challenging status quo, reviewing, debating and making contribution to how to effectively link tourism, community development, and conservation for sustainable tourism development.

She was the founding CEO of Ecotourism Kenya, the premier ecotourism society on Africa. While at Ecotourism she led and coordinated the development of criteria and standards for sustainable tourism certification, resulting in Kenya’s eco-rating scheme for hotels and lodges. In 2013, she founded Sustainable Travel & Tourism Agenda (STTA) an advisory organization that uses education, research, advocacy, and training to accelerate uptake of sustainable tourism, and support public and private sector agencies to engage and respond.

Globally Judy has served severally as a judge of World Travel and Tourism Council Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, and onsite evaluator for Nat Geo Unique Lodges of the World and Nat Geo World Legacy Awards. She has also been judge for IIPT Awards.

Her other roles in the industry include: board member of Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), advisory board member of The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) and recently board member of Fair-Trade Tourism South Africa (FTT).

Judy has made significant contribution to acceptance and understanding of sustainable tourism through development of tools, training and awareness, assessment, advocacy and recently through a regional publication for East Africa- The EA sustainable tourism report.

Judy has developed one-day training modules for businesses that are beginning the journey and to support those who are in formative years/stage to mature into truly sustainable operations.

In 2019, she was awarded the Sustainable Citizen Award by Forbes Woman Africa in recognition of outstanding contribution to awareness and knowledge of sustainability in tourism in Africa and beyond.

Professor Dimitrios Buhalis is a Strategic Management and Marketing expert with specialisation in Information Communication Technology applications in the Tourism, Travel, Hospitality, and Leisure industries. He is Director of the eTourism Lab and Deputy Director of the International Centre for Tourism and Hospitality Research, at Bournemouth University Business School in England. He is the Editor in Chief of the most established Journal in Tourism: Tourism Review, now and SSCI Journal in its 75th volume, and the Editor in Chief of the Encyclopedia of Tourism Management and Marketing. Professor Buhalis has written and co-edited more than 20 books and 250 scientific articles. His research is referenced widely, being the 2nd most cited for tourism and 1st most cited for hospitality 18th on strategy and 30th in Marketing on Google Scholar with more than 45000 citations and h-index 89.

Professor Buhalis is a candidate for the 2020 Highly Cited Researchers™ list from Clarivate™. The Highly Cited Researchers list identifies researchers who produced multiple papers ranking in the top 1% by citations for their chosen field or fields and year of publication, demonstrating significant influence among their peers. This top 1% of the global research community represent magnets in their respective discipline.

Dimitrios current research focus includes: Real-Time and Nowness, Smart Tourism and Smart Hospitality, Social Media Context and Mobile Marketing (SoCoMo), Augmented Reality, Technology-enhanced Experience Management and Personalisation, Reputation and Social Media Strategies, Accessibility and Special Diet (Allergens) Tourism. Professor Buhalis is a well known international speaker on trends, technology, marketing, tourism and Hospitality and works closely with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). Professor Buhalis is an inspirational forward thinker that undertakes cutting edge research, develops innovations and makes a major impact on global society. He works closely with the international tourism industry and is supporting tourism and hospitality organisations around the world with strategic marketing innovations using cutting edge technologies. For more information, books, articles and presentations see www.buhalis.com.

For the period January 2016- September 2019, Buhalis was the Head of Department of Tourism and Hospitality, at Bournemouth University. During this period the Department was ranked #8 (2018), #10 (2019), #10 (2020) in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2019: Hospitality and Leisure Management as well as #9 (2017), #12 (2018), #10 (2020) in the Shanghai Ranking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects – Hospitality and Tourism and #3 in the Guardian University guide 2019. Dimitrios is a Founding Member and past President (2010-2014) of the International Federation for Information Technologies in Travel and Tourism (IFITT). He served as the First Vice President of the International Academy for the Study of Tourism (2017-2019). He also served as an Executive Board Member of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Affiliate Members for the periods 2013-2015 and 2017-2019. Professor Dimitrios Buhalis is a renown international speaker and conference facilitator. He frequently delivers keynote presentations, speeches, seminars and workshops in both academic and professional conferences globally. He has close collaborations with industry, governments and international organisations ensuring his conclusions have the utmost relevance and impact on the real world whilst constantly pushing the boundaries of knowledge and academic excellence.

Francis Doku is a distinguished figure in the Ghanaian marketing communications and media industry, renowned for his extensive experience and significant contributions spanning over two and half decades. With a solid background in media planning, buying, digital marketing, and marketing management, Doku has worked with and on some of the biggest global blue-chip brands.

His media career began with Graphic Showbiz, where his exceptional reporting skills and editorial insight quickly propelled him to influential positions as the country’s foremost newspaper columnist and radio and television pundit on arts, tourism and entertainment, radio and television. He transitioned into Media Planning and Buying when he joined Premier Media Company (MediaCom) as an Account Manager.

Doku later became the founding General Manager at media independent shop, Adams Media (Carat Ghana) Limited. He drove the agency to success by multiplying its billings by over 1000% and winning several accounts, including MTN, Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola, and Vlisco.

In August 2017, Doku assumed the role of General Manager of digital at the Media General Group before taking up the role of General Manager, of TV in 2020. As head of digital media, he was instrumental in expanding the company’s digital presence, developing strategies that significantly increased online engagement and presence while creating bespoke platforms for content distribution. His innovative approach to digital media paved the way for Media General Group’s success in the digital landscape.

As the General Manager of the leading television channel in the market, TV3, Doku brought innovation and leadership to the channel in a very competitive television market. He introduced several successful programmes and initiatives that boosted viewership from 15% to 40% market share and attracted significant advertiser interest.

His career is highlighted by his contributions to content innovation and digital transformation within the media industry. He has been at the forefront of introducing groundbreaking media programmes and driven initiatives that have transitioned traditional media operations into the digital age. His influence extends beyond organizational roles, as he is a regular speaker at media conferences and a mentor to young journalists and media professionals.

Doku who was recently appointed as the Supervising Editor of Festivals Afriq Magazine is passionate about travel and tourism in Africa and has worked to ensure that Africa is marketed and promoted as one destination. He previously hosted Travel Pass, a travel show on Accra-based 3FM, and has been hosting the travel podcast, Africa Rising since 2023. l life, he is dedicated to community and charitable activities, contributing to the development of media literacy and education in Ghana.

He currently works as Chief Operating Officer of Digital Plugin Limited, a 360-degree marketing agency, but has previously held such positions as Country Manager, RedSky Advertising, Group CEO, of Rave Marketing Solutions Limited, and Group CEO, of Maestro Africa Group.

Francis Doku graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (BSc. Admin) and an Executive MBA in Marketing both from the University of Ghana Business School. Beyond his professional life, he is dedicated to community and charitable activities, contributing to the development of media literacy and education in Ghana.

Dr J. Kwesi Eyison is an entrepreneur and business executive with transformational leadership credentials in the public, private, corporate and organisational sectors of the Ghanaian socio-economic landscape/environment.

Dr Eyison is the Vice President of Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF), the Vice Chairman of the Ghana Sector Skills Council (Tourism & Hospitality Sector), the immediate past President of Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA) and a member of the steering committee of the Public Private Partnership Forum (PPPF) of Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) & The Ministry of Tourism Arts & Culture (MOTAC).

He is the founder and CEO of Pacific Tours, Pacific Solutions (Advertising & Marketing Communications Consultancy Firm affiliated with the ICOM global network), Pacific Digital Marketing and Pacific Eyison Farms.

Kwesi is a certified United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Tourism Practitioner and an accomplished Marketing Communications consultant and practitioner. He is a member of the African Tourism Board and the International Advertising Association (IAA).

He holds a Doctorate Degree in Business Administration from the SMC University, Switzerland, Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) with Marketing Major from the University of Ghana, Legon and a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Biochemistry and Food Science from same University. He has professional graduate diploma degree from International Professional Managers Association (IPMA) and is a certified International Labour Organisation (ILO) Skills For Social Inclusion in Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET).

Dr. Eyison is Travelife/Global Sustainability Tourism Council Certified Sustainability Manager in Ghana with commitment to maximising the positive impact of social and environmental sustainability of Tourism in Ghana.

Kwesi is also a certified Google Analytics Professional/Practitioner and Digital Marketing facilitator with transformational agenda on digitalisation in the Tourism Industry in Ghana.

He is a Promoter and Advocate of Tourism & Hospitality Sector Skills Development in Ghana for Skilling Up; Reskilling & Upskilling of industry practitioners, the youth and the underrepresented for social inclusion in Ghana.

He is married with three children.

Tumiso MacDonald Rakgare was born 39 years ago at Scottish Livingstone in Molepolole. He grew up in Mogoditshane where he did both primary and secondary studies, at Mogoditshane Primary and Mogoditshane Junior Secondary School respectively before transferring to Tlogatloga Junior Secondary School where he completed junior certificate. He then proceeded to Ledumang Senior Secondary to do BGCSE before enrolling at the University of Botswana to study for a Bachelor of Business Administration (General Management).

He has successfully completed an Executive Masters Degree in Entrepreneurship at the University of Botswana.

Hon. Rakgare is a passionate footballer & table tennis player with good playing record in both sporting codes. He played for Notwane FC juniors for 5 years, joined Black Peril FC in the National First Division League before retiring to focus on academic commitments.

He is also the Former Secretary General of Media Social Club (MSC). A social club of both practicing and retired media practitioners in Botswana.

POLITICS

Currently Member of Parliament for Mogoditshane Constituency and appointed as the Honourable Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture.

He was the Botswana Congress Party Youth League President from 2015 and 2017.

He served in the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) Youth Wing (NYEC) between 2010 and 2012.

He was appointed the first Student Peer Ambassador for Sports and Culture at the University of Botswana in 2010.

He was elected President of the Student Representative Council (SRC) at the University of Botswana in 2009.
WORK EXPERIENCE

Administration, Marketing and Communications Executive at ILES, an education wing of BOPEU – May 2017 to December 2018.

He won a record 15 Media awards during his 11 year service as a Sports Reporter.

On air Sports Consultant – Yarona FM- January – December 2015

Head of Sports- Duma FM – December 2010 to January 2014

Sports Presenter at GBC (now EBotswana) from 2011 to 2012

Sports Presenter at Yarona FM – November 2004 to November 2010

Sports Analyst – Botswana Television (BTV), 2005 to 2007

Sales and Marketing representative at SBM Pipes in 2005

COMMUNITY SERVICE

He Co-founded the Annual Thamaga Christmas Football Tournament, it was founded in 2006 and is still running.

Worked with various NGO’s in Mogoditshane to mobilize resources to help the under privileged.

Assisted all schools in Mogoditshane (3 primaries, 2 juniors and 1 senior school) during their Prize Giving ceremonies with Prizes for best students both academics and sports.

He is an avid participant of the popular annual Matlolapata games both as a player and volunteer.

Mrs. Susan Akon Akporiaye an entrepreneur per excellence. A very focused and passionate person, a go-getter by nature. A firm believer that whatever one sets his or her mind to achieve is possible with God’s help. These sterling qualities have defined my entrance and contributions to the industry I currently serve in the travel and tourism industry.

Being the Chief Executive of Topaz Travels and Tours Limited (an IATA Certified Travel and Tourism Management Company), I am currently the National President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies, the single largest travel and tourism trade body in West Africa. Interestingly, I am the second woman in the over forty seven (47) years history of the Association to attain this position, I consider this an acknowledgement and testament of true leadership qualities and exceptional persona.

In addition to the above, I am also the second deputy President of the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria, (FTAN).

Contributions to the Industry-

For over 16 years I have been actively involved in the promotion and facilitation of Travel Consultants/Agents to Travel and Tourism conferences and event in Africa, Europe and America for sensitization, interactions, new possibilities and collaborations.
I have initiated programs and projects that are focused on revamping the downstream travel sector in Nigeria and Africa like the International Travel and Tourism Conference (ITTC) which maiden was held in Johannesburg South Africa.
As a leader who is committed to true service, I have kept my communication lines open to provide members and affiliates with quality information and enlightenment needed to handle their business with a clever display of professionalism and dexterity.
I pioneered the NANTA Capacity development and Accreditation Programme (CBAP) which has improved the quality of professional services offered by travel professionals in Nigeria.

Topaz Travels and Tours Limited in Abuja, is a company I conceived and started some seventeen years ago, and the company continues to thrive through diligence, value for customer satisfaction and professional knowledge. With my leadership, Topaz Travels has received several awards for astounding performance over the years.

Our professionalism, efficiency and longevity in the industry have made us a preferred choice for Non Governmental Organizations in Nigeria.
Topaz Travels continues to contribute her quota in the creation of employment opportunities in the travel and tourism industry through her empowerment programs (i.e. trainings, mentorships and internship opportunities)

Gumbo has captivated dozens of projects and engagements around the world. His engagements in Experiential Travel ,Strategic Management ,commercial strategies, Sustainability Leadership, Management Consulting and humorous hands-on experience
are crafted and empowered with an uplifting authentic message about the power of a growth mindset and how to live life at peak performance levels.

He has gained experience in research, strategic management, corporate negotiation, travel and tourism, marketing, aerospace strategy consulting and conservation. Gumbo’s mission is to implement objectives and goals as well as setting expected performance standards for the workforce . He helps to re-energize the human spirit so as can transform negativity to envision new possibilities, build stronger teams and create ripple effects of lasting personal and professional success in developing competences within trade, including product development, marketing activities and building relationships with airlines and travel brands as well as Tourism Boards.

Gumbo engages with the audience with real-life & practical examples allowing him to communicate and appeal to a culturally-diverse public. He had worked, partnered and consulted with the world acclaimed brands in strategic research, conservation, aerospace, travel and tourism such as ICURA-International Community University Research Alliance, Related, Aviareps, University of New York-School Centre for Global A 1 airs, Global Explorers, East Africa Community, UNDP, TRAFFIC International, USAID, BBC London, World Travel Market-Africa, Jane Goodall Institute, Wildlife Conservation Society, Best Ever Food Review Show, Lost Creator Academy, The hunt Management, Wilderness Medical Associates International, Zimbabwe Tourism Board, Kenya Tourism Board, Tanzania Tourism Board, South African Tourism, Air Tanzania Corporation Ltd, Auric Air, Serengeti Safari Marathon, Africa Tourism Partners, Rwanda Development Board, Association of Tanzanian Travel Operators and Tanzania Private Sector Foundation.

He is the Founder and CEO of Experiential Travel Africa and currently a Regional Director-East Africa at Africa Tourism Partners Gumbo is a firm believer that service skills are transferable and essential to both your personal and professional life.

speakers

2022 speakers

H.E. Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi

H.E. Zurab Pololikashvili

Hon. Philda Nani Kereng

Honourable Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal

Hon. Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndhlovu

elcia grandcourt

Hon. Heather Mwiza Sibungo

Hon. Amos Fish Mahlalela

Senthil Gopinath

Hon. Mary Francis Masanja

H.E Maj Gen (RTD) Gaudence Salim Milanzi

Mindi Hellen Pamela Kasiga

Kwakye Donkor

Moseketsi Mpeta

Dr. Rob Davidson

Ms. Tshoganetso Carl-Ponoesele

Emily Mburu-Ndoria

Aaron Munetsi

Graeme Watson

Alex Mabunda

Winnie Muchanyuka

Jeanette Molot

Monika Iuel

Esmaré Steinhöfel

Akwasi Obeng-Adjei

Jon Howell

Bonita Mutoni

John Friel

Desire Loumou

Shingai George

Pascal Viroleau

Wayne Godwin

Sebulon Chiliho Chicalu

Miller Matola

Innocent Janna Kaliati

Dr Geoffrey manyara

Linda Pereira

Lee-Anne Bac

Lee Zama

Katrina Dawson

Christelle Grohmann

Prof Marina Novelli (PhD)

Adonijah Ndege

Judy Kepher-Gona

Scott Blount

Givemore Chidzidzi

Natalia Bayona

Professor Dimitrios Bhualis

Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa

Nejc Jus

Nicholas Kalyango

Bokani Mathape

Dr. PPS Sifolo

Hando Sinisalu

Didier Scaillet

Dr. Bao Rasebolai Mosinyi

Fred Odek

Yoadan Tilahun

York Zucchi

Nkululeko Ndumiso Nkosi

Bongiwe Nzeku

Malebogo Modise

Abreham Yohannes

Samuel Makuza

Brad Glenn

Francis Doku

Linda Mutesi

Mokwena Morulane

Dr. Kwesi Eyison

Suzan M. Ongalo

Sirili Ako

Luc Armand Bodea

Caroline Amito

Barry Clemens

Prof. Keolebogile Motaung

Yasmine Fofana

Safiyya Akoojee

Kim Szpiro