Reason 1: Jerry Mabena is an entrepreneurial business executive with vast experience in the marketing and property management sectors. As the CEO of Thebe Services, Mabena is responsible for managing a portfolio that contains 16 subsidiary and associate Thebe companies that are service-centred, offering services ranging from financial to tourism services, as well as media, energy (petroleum services), and property management.

Reason 2: Mabena has started and run a number of businesses, some of which are still operational. He has a degree in industrial psychology and economics from Rhodes University. He also holds a diploma in project management from Damelin and a certificate program in accounting and finance from Wits Business School.

Reason 3: Holds a degree in industrial psychology and economics from Rhodes University he also holds a diploma in project management from Damelin and a post graduate certificate program in accounting and finance from Wits Business School Jerry’s extensive and highly successful business background is a testament to not only his strategic thinking, but also his passion for developing talented individuals and working as a team player.
Through his integrated approach to business, Jerry has achieved success in various senior executive positions at institutions including Unilever, J Walter Thomson, Ucingo Marketing, as well as being appointed as CEO at the following institutions: Kagiso Exhibitions and Events (2004 – 2007), Kagiso Property Holding (2007 – 2010), Thebe Property Management and CEO at Thebe Services (2011-2020)
Jerry is the CEO of Motsamayi Tourism Group, currently he holds Board Directorship positions in following companies: Kruger Shalati, Motsamayi Tourism Holdings, Combined Motor Holdings, SRS Laundry, Thebe Corridors Company, Ornico Investments, Tourism Transformation Council of South Africa, Jurni, Sanctuary Mandela and Tourism Business Council of SA.

Website - www.motsamayi.com

Reason 1: Rodger Foster, based in City of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, is currently a CEO and MD at Airlink. Rodger Foster brings experience from previous roles at SA Airlink, Foster Webb Group and Metro Cash and Carry. Airlink CEO, Rodger Foster has been admitted to the “Ordem Nacional do Cruzeiro do Sul” (National Order of the Southern Cross) – the highest Brazilian decoration awarded to citizens of other countries – in recognition of his active role in strengthening business ties between Brazil and South Africa in the aviation field.
The decoration was presented by the Ambassador of Brazil to South Africa Sérgio França Danese on January 10 in a brief ceremony held at the Airlink Training Centre, in Johannesburg, South Africa. He has significantly contributed to improving aviation connectivity to a number of African places. Under his direction, Airlink has built up a vast network of routes that link African destinations to important worldwide centres. The world and Africa are now more connected, which has encouraged trade, tourism, and cross-cultural interactions. Foster has helped to boost tourism and economic development in Africa by offering practical and dependable air travel options.

Reason 2: Sustainable Operations: Roger Foster has proven his dedication to sustainability as environmental issues have gained importance in the aviation sector. In order to lessen its impact on the environment, Airlink has taken a number of steps, including as purchasing more fuel-efficient aircraft, implementing sustainable business practices, and supporting initiatives to offset carbon emissions. Foster's emphasis on sustainability supports international efforts to slow down global warming and shows his commitment to making a difference that goes beyond self-interest.
Socioeconomic Impact: Roger Foster has helped African communities in their socioeconomic development through the management of Airlink. By generating both direct and indirect job possibilities in the aviation sector, Airlink has helped local economies. Additionally, the improved trade, investment, and tourism in African nations has been enabled by the increased connection made possible by Airlink's large route network. Foster has contributed significantly to the general progress of "Destination Africa" and its international integration by promoting economic growth and enhancing living conditions.

Reason 3: Foster has been instrumental in the growth of Airlink since its inception in 1992, and it is now the largest privately-owned regional airline in Africa, operating more than 50 commercial jetliners to over 45 destinations in 14 African countries and St Helena Island. Airlink continues to expand its route network, connecting more African cities, and promoting tourism and trade across the continent. Foster holds a 1974 - 1978 Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Building, faculty of Architecture @ University of the Witwatersrand. With a robust skill set that includes General Management, Strategic Planning, Strategic Financial Planning, Aircraft, Airports and more. AviaDev Africa has announced that Rodger Foster, CEO and Managing Director of Airlink, has won the prestigious Ato Girma Wake Award for his exceptional contribution to route development in Africa. The award recognizes the work of individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation in promoting connectivity and improving the aviation industry on the continent. Mr Foster’s dedication and leadership in developing air connectivity in Africa are exemplary, and his efforts have made a significant impact on the continent’s economic growth.

Website - Rodger Foster Profile

Reason 1: Stephan F. Ekbergh is a Swedish entrepreneur best known for his pioneering work in the online travel industry. He is the Chief Executive Officer and owner of Travelstart, one of the biggest online travel agencies in Africa, the Middle East and Turkey. Ekbergh founded Travelstart in Sweden in January 1999. The company grew, but it wasn’t doing particularly well. It was perpetually spending ahead of revenue, always on the cusp of running out of money. It seemed like a godsend when Ekbergh was offered $10 million for his failing company. He could trade his bad bet for a quick windfall. But very little of that amount turned out to be in the form of cold hard cash. Most of it was equity in a company that was failing at an alarming rate. If anything, the new owners had managed Travelstart into an even more precarious position. So Ekbergh made a stupid bet. He bought the company back and decided to turn it around.

Reason 2: Now based in Cape Town, Travelstart operates in 8 countries with offices in other core markets including Nigeria, Egypt and Dubai. With the Travelstart Group including SafariNow, NightsBridge, Club Travel and Flightsite, our travel family consists of 170 staff spread across 8 cities, all passionate about making travel simple in Africa and the Middle East.

Reason 3: Stephan’s entrepreneurial spirit has been the driving force behind the success of Travelstart. That coupled with his ability to fearlessly squash risk, Stephan has fast tracked Travelstart’s victories allowing the business to diversify into new and more challenging emerging markets.

Website - Stephan F. Ekbergh Profile

Reason 1: Siandou Fofana was as Cote d’lvoire’s Minister of Tourism and leisure for an unprecedented third time in the same portfolio in 2023.
His retention is seen as an expression of confidence by the President in the Minister who has already set the West African country’s tourism on a transformation course.
Some of the key undertakings of Fofana during his first term and second terms as Minister include the launch of the flagship ‘Sublime Cote d’lvoire’ project, which seeks to overhaul the country’s tourism landscape through ambitious projects and initiatives, quality assurance improvements in the tourism sector, attracting leading hospitality groups to Côte d’Ivoire among others.

Reason 2: The Ivorian tourism industry is flourishing with a new and sustainable spring that earned Mr. Siandou FOFANA, a renewed recognition by his people, as well as a leadership that established it in the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). In her radiant fifties, Siandou FOFANA, since his college years, has been a born leader. From his native Agnibilékrou in the east of the country, to the OMT Praesidium, through his successful professional career and his brilliant university curriculum, everything attests to this extraordinary destiny.

Reason 3: To this end, he has led the creation of the National Tourism Council (CNT) since 2019, with the vocation, in an approach based on participatory dialogue, the creation of a permanent framework for consultation with a view to looking in the same direction and working hand in hand for a win-win partnership between the private and public sectors.
Under his leadership, Côte d'Ivoire has set in place the National Total Quality Program in tourism establishments with the ranking of accommodation establishments and restaurants that is reborn after long years of shutdown. It has provided its Ministry with a Directorate General of Leisure that deploys leisure activities, traditional game festivals and the promotion of digital games to make the country the destination for leisure and entertainment in the sub-region. At the international level, the Ivorian Minister of Tourism, current Vice-President of the Executive Council of the World Tourism Organization, after holding the reins for two years and also outgoing President of the Africa Region, was elected, in July 2023, among the 9 grey eminences to lead the Task-Force whose mission is: "Rethinking the tourism of tomorrow".

Website - Siandou Fofana Profile

Reason 1: Barbara is the Chair of the Board of Directors for Zimbabwe's first Destination Management Organization. The DMO is called We Are Victoria Falls. She pioneered the creation of this unique organization after being inspired during a week-long peer-to-peer exchange hosted by Cape Town Tourism, sponsored by IFC (a member of the World Bank Group). In a sector consumed with recovery after Covid-19, where operators were focused on their own performance - she slowly and persuasively brought the sector together to think about the wider picture. She brought the private sector to sit down with the public sector and plan for a more integrated way of managing things. Taking the lessons from Cape Town Tourism she forged a partnership between public and private entities, with a joint board of directors - and a newly formed association. In the context of Zimbabwe this has meant working with the authorities to persuade on the possibilities and merits of decentralization, and the benefits of putting control at the level of local people. This took a great presence of mind, a real vision, and a belief in the possible no matter how challenging it might be.

Reason 2: Since the launch of We Are Victoria Falls, she has overseen the development of a Destination Brand 'the Heart of Adventure', and the roll out of a destination marketing campaign for Victoria Falls. These materials can be viewed on www.wearevictoriafalls.com\destination-management-office\. She has overseen the development of a destination data dashboard (hosted on the same site) that tracks 27 indicators of destination performance from occupancy to arrivals, to % of renewable energy in use. The data for the dashboard is provided voluntarily by private sector operators and public institutions in a unique model. Barbara has also initiated and signed a 'twinning' partnership with Cape Town Tourism and launched a joint marketing campaign to highlight the qualities of the two iconic UNESCO heritage sites. This was done to appeal to international travelers (primarily Europe) to reignite the spark of adventure. The success of the campaign in 2023 has led the partners to consider expanding the partnership to include two other destinations in Africa. In a world where international tour operators control a lot of the market positioning for certain destinations, this partnership aims to own the narrative in international markets, and promote the destinations in the ways that the destinations themselves want to be seen. In addition to this, Barbara has been actively involved in coordinating We Are Victoria Falls and the air access programs of the country, actively mobilizing people, information and meetings to assess the destination needs and dialogue with much-needed airlines. She has established an excellent working relationship with the authorities to make sure all airline pitches and negotiations have the full support of the private sector body in Victoria Falls. She has also coordinated extensively with the Police, Immigration and the Victoria Falls City Council to ensure smooth running of tourist-related services, particularly entry requirements and missing persons. All of this has been achieved on a shoestring budget of under 100,000USD.

Reason 3: Barbara's personal qualities are the reason she was elected to Chair this exciting new organization and she works tirelessly on behalf of Victoria Falls. She also works full-time at the tour operator Wild Horizons and plays a role in the Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe among her other many commitments. She is passionate about the sector, about the destination of Victoria Falls and has given her life in service to its sustainable development. Barbara is widely known and appreciated in the wider community, and is often to be seen giving wise counsel, listening to issues, brainstorming ideas and negotiating solutions. She is open-minded and collaborative. She is a true hero of tourism in Africa and deserves this mighty award and recognition. It has been humbling to have worked alongside her.

Website - www.ifc.org