A WOMEN-IN-TOURISM networking event was held in Umgababa on August 30, at Coastal Lounge, to wrap up August, which was Women’s Month, and in preparation for Heritage Month in September.
Organised by Durban Tourism, the aim of the event was also to celebrate prominent women in the tourism business, under the theme ‘Grow and glow with passion’. Participants included businesswomen from various other fields, artists, actresses and broadcasters, as well as female learners from all Umgababa high schools.
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Sodurba Tourism Association’s chairperson, Helga du Preez, said the programme was also aimed at showcasing other opportunities that are available for women in the tourism industry besides the most popular ones.
“The one message that came out today for the youth was that they need to understand that nothing comes easy and nothing happens overnight. They have to be prepared to work. There are many experiences they need to go through before they are a success in life,” said Helga.
One of the keynote speakers was Captain Londi Ngcobo, who was the first woman in Africa to qualify as a dredge master. In her speech, Londi stressed the importance of women diversifying into all sectors of the economy.
“In the marine economy that I’m involved in, women all over the world only have a 2% share in it. The opportunities are there, and women only have to seek ways of getting in. No matter what industry you are involved in, you can use that to enter the marine economy, whether it’s tourism, banking, or engineering,” she said.
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