She keeps on kicking doors open and getting recognised for the wonderful work she is doing. Two months ago she was one of the six regional finalists chosen for the South African Council of Business Woman (SACBW) under the Business Woman of the year category. In this competition she became a national runner-up out of thirty participants.
She does admit that the contest was competitive as various business women brought their A-game.
“This was a great opportunity for me and the business as I learned a lot there.”
Amongst the list of achievements, she adds three more being Visit Vakasha 1 and 3 each winning a provincial award at the Lilizela Tourism Awards hosted by Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA).
The staff members that are behind the success of Visit Vakasha Guesthouse are Cynthia Mahlangu, Thandi Mahlangu, Phumzile Macige, Claudia Nkosi, Fortunate Nyambuyi, Ruby Gangiah (tourism grading assessor of Nkangala district), Nomsa Mazibuko (owner), Nomfundo Mabaso (learnership student) and Busisiwe Ngema-Ndhlovu.
She also won a national award for Visit Vakasha 1 for the best Bed & Breakfast at the Lilizela Tourism Awards held on Sunday, October 16 at the Sandton Convention Centre hosted by South African Tourism (SAT).
The Chairperson of the SA Tourism Board, Dr Tanya Abrahamse and the Minister of Tourism Mr Derek Hanekom attended the ceremony. Her husband and business partner, Lemmy who works alongside her in the business was there to witness the beautiful moment.
On October 16, Nomsa Mazibuko won a national award for Visit Vakasha 1 at the Lilizela Tourism Awards. In the pictures with her is, Dr Tanya Abrahamse (Chairperson of the SA Tourism Board), Lemmy Mazibuko and Derek Hanekom (Minister of tourism).
With all these accolades she is ready to put the year to rest and cannot wait for 2017 to start. Next year we will see Nomsa launching her book titled ‘Entrepreneur awaken with a drive’. This book seeks to encourage entrepreneurs to keep going no matter the potholes or roadblocks.
“The people who act on their dreams and are willing to take calculated risks to achieve set goals, eliminate excuses and are essentially ‘possibility thinkers.” read a summary from the book.
Being a Tsogo Sun ambassador opened numerous doors for her as her business etiquette comes mainly from there. On October 21, she handed over the reign to Gauteng’s Mr Nqobile Nkosi who owns NQ jewellery design services.
“Tsogo Sun and its associates gave me more exposure which in turn prepared me for the other awards I am receiving now.”
She expresses her gratitude to God and to everyone who played a role in her entrepreneurial journey, whether it is the people she was trained by, her clients or her staff members – because she was away most of the time but that did not affect the business due to their competence and commitment to Visit Vakasha.
Her team from Visit Vakasha 1 being Cynthia Mahlangu, Thandi Mahlangu, Phumzile Macige, Claudia Nkosi, Fortunate Nyambuyi, Nomfundo Mabaso (learnership student) and Busisiwe Ngema-Ndhlovu (operations manager) who kept the boat floating.
“I truly thank them for keeping the show running in my absence. I appreciate their hard work.”
She still believes in sharing information as she continues to assist other businesses around her by mentoring them. Nomsa was recently invited by the Minister of Tourism Mr Hanekom to share a stage with him at Pilanesberg, North West Province to inspire emerging tourism entrepreneurs at a launch of Tourism Incubator , a pilot project which will be rolled out nationally at a later stage.
“We wrapped up the year on a high note. 2017 can come, we are ready.”