Business influencer shares her insights on tourism and hospitality industry

BADPLAAS – Hloni Thabethe is a successful businesswoman in the tourism and hospitality industry.

Here she shares her journey:

Mpumalanga News (MN): Who is Hloni Thabethe?
Hloni Thabethe (HT): Hloni Thabethe is a wife to Ephraim Thabethe, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a Sunday school teacher and a managing director for Ndalo Hotel and Conferencing.

Born and bred in Lekazi. I did my high schooling at Lekazi Central High School. I worked as an internal auditor for 12 years and ran Ndalo Hotel and Conferencing for 10 years come next year, June 2020.

MN: What has the journey been like for you, running Ndalo Hotel and Conferencing?

HT: It has been an incredible learning experience. It has pushed me beyond my comfort zones and in so many ways. It has required tremendous courage, perseverance and much more patience from me. I am always concurrently both a tutor and a learner. Honestly, I never envisioned that I would one day be running a business like this, because of my stream at school. It has been a journey of self-discovery, personal and professional growth for me. I am certain I still have so much more learning, growth and discovery ahead of me and I will gladly embrace all of it as it comes.

MN: What are the challenges that you face running such a business in Mpumalanga?
HT: When running a hotel, we need to always come up with significant ideas to keep our guests interested and excited by our service, as guests’ expectations always change. It can sometimes be costly to do, but worthwhile in the end. We need to always keep up with the current trends and dynamics of marketing the hotel. Hiring and retaining quality, dedicated and passionate team members to assist in running the hotel has proven to be our biggest challenge, but we are appreciative of the ones we currently have, as they are really giving their all. Currently, there are 40 full-time employees.

MN: What is your social responsibility?
HT: The hotel is involved in different social responsibility projects, either at personal level, or with organisations or schools, we support in whatever way possible, financially and emotionally, throughout the province.
MN: What is your message to female entrepreneurs who are finding it hard to make it in business?
HT: We need to learn not to compare ourselves to other successful women who seems to have it all together. In most cases, things are not always as they seem, and there is a very slight chance that everyone will have it all together. In times of a business slump or failure, keep on swimming to the end. You might need to look into changing your initial strategy if it seems not to be working. We must keep on doing what is right and best for our business. We must have patience and faith things will turn out the way they were meant to be.

MN: How do you strike a balance between running such a successful business, being a mother, wife, sister and a dedicated church member?
HT: Technology, time management, having the right team in the business and most importantly, a supporting family assists a lot in striking a balance, which can be tricky.

With the advanced technology, it makes it possible to work from home at least some of the time. Remote working helps me to work flexible hours. That means I still have time with my family. Having the right team also plays a big part.

I have young children; my eldest is only turning 13 now in September, then the 12-year-old, and my youngest is five years. My husband’s understanding and support makes it easier for me to still be able to run around and attend to all that pertains to the business, whether I have to be a few days away from home, working late or during weekends, at related events.

Overall, time management ensures efficient planning juggling from business to family and vice versa, and the time I spend growing my spiritual life with God doing his work.

Advice from Hloni Thabethe:
* Believes women have many more opportunities than 20 years ago;
* Advises that women should utilise government-created avenues for business start-ups, business plans, registration and financial support;
* Join support and networking groups which are vital for women business owners to be a part;
* Surround yourself with go-getters.