A dedicated student who lost her parents at a tender age has beaten poverty to graduate with her National Diploma in Tourism Management.

Mbali Sibande, 23, who hails from Springs, outside Johannesburg, will be capped this week during one of the ceremonies to honour graduates from the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences.

Mbali attributes her finest achievement to her late mother’s prayers as well as God’s mercy.

“I come from a family of four and we were raised by a single parent,” she narrates. “It wasn’t easy as we were dependent on a social grant and hand outs since mom was not working.”

Mbali’s mother sadly passed away due to cancer when she was 16 years old and she was forced to become a mother to her younger brothers.

After completing her matric in 2014 she was forced to take a gap year as her family could not afford university fees. During her gap year, she was hired at a local primary school to coach netball and that is how she saved money for higher education studies.

As she was coming to register at CPUT in 2016, a Good Samaritan who listened to her moving personal story pledged to pay for transport costs from Johannesburg to Cape Town until she finished her diploma.

“Throughout my CPUT years I did not know any difference between a day and midnight, because I had to go to class then off to a part-time job then back to my assignments or studying for a test,” recalls the tenacious Mbali. “One of the reasons I’ve been stuffing myself with a load of work is because I knew how bad the situation is at home, so I had to send money for food and for clothes as well.”

She also saved some money and bought a camera which she used to conduct private photo shoots in order to earn some pocket money.

Mbali’s advice to the youth: “You must do the things you think you cannot do because where you come from does not define you and, a strong person is the one who cries and sheds tears for a moment then gets up and fights again.”

Written by Kwanele Butana

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Centre for Tourism Research in Africa recently hosted the 7th International Conference (ICTR) on Tourism Research which served as a vital platform for scholars, researchers, practitioners, and industry experts from around the world to converge and engage in meaningful dialogue on the multifaceted field of tourism at the iconic Cape Town Hotel School.

The participants came from 22 countries. In person attendance included delegates from Canada, Portugal, Nigeria, Poland, Tanzania, Australia, India, USA, Germany, Qatar, Turkey and South Africa. Virtual attendees included participants from Brazil, Bulgaria, Oman, Italy, Finland, Peru, Vietnam, Cyprus, Sri Lanka and Austria. On the first day, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Prof Rishidaw Balkaran, provided the welcoming address and said: “Welcome to you…Thank you very much, I am looking forward to the presentations, all the best, please have fun at the same time, enjoy Cape Town. Colleagues online I wish you well as well.”

Dean: Faculty of Business and Management Sciences (FBMS), Prof Paul Green, opened the second day of the conference, and said: “We are thrilled to embark on this journey of exploration, collaboration, and innovation in the realm of tourism. Today's event promises to be a captivating odyssey, as we delve into the multifaceted landscapes of tourism across various streams. Our agenda is thoughtfully curated to offer insights, provoke discussions, and inspire actionable ideas for the advancement of tourism research and practice…

“Thank you for joining us on this exhilarating journey. Let's ignite the flames of discovery and innovation together!” Amongst the keynote speakers were:

• Dr Kamilla Swart, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar: The Future of the Olympic Games - When will it be Africa’s turn?
• Prof Kaitano Dube, Vaal University of Technology: Opportunities and Challenges of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Tourism and Hospitality Research.
• Prof Ike Ezeuduji, University of Zululand: Bleisure Travel Reimagined: Implications for Research.
• Prof Catheryn Khoo, Torrens University, Australia: Contested HIStory: Representation in HERitage Tourism.

Swart said presenting at the ICTR was a rewarding experience, with valuable exchanges that enriched “my perspective on global tourism trends and research while at the same time highlighting perspectives from the global South”.

The Programme Chair, Dr Chris Hattingh-Niekerk, who is also a Senior Lecturer: Event Management, said the conference sought to foster a collaborative environment that encourages the exchange of cutting-edge research, innovative ideas, and best practices in the realm of tourism. Hattingh-Niekerk said through its diverse range of sessions and presentations, this conference aimed “to advance our understanding of the complex dynamics within the tourism industry, explore emerging trends and challenges, and develop sustainable solutions.”

By bringing together a global community of experts, he said the conference not only promoted knowledge dissemination but also facilitated networking opportunities and interdisciplinary collaborations. “Ultimately, the International Conference on Tourism Research played a pivotal role in shaping the future of tourism by promoting research-driven insights that can enhance the industry's resilience, sustainability, and positive impact on local communities and economies.”

Throughout the conference, there were vibrant discussions on various topics, including the importance of sustainable tourism practices in mitigating environmental impact, the role of technology in enhancing visitor experiences, and strategies for preserving cultural heritage while promoting tourism. Prof Catheryn Khoo from Torrens University in Australia, whose research on “Contested HIStory: representation in HERitage tourism” sparked an interesting debate around how tourism places have traditionally privileged certain men’s (white, heterosexual, masculine) travel experience.

“As the host of the conference, I was particularly struck by the diverse range of perspectives and innovative approaches shared by participants. Witnessing the exchange of ideas and the collective commitment to advancing responsible and sustainable tourism practices reinforced the importance of such gatherings in driving positive change within the industry,” Hattingh-Niekerk remarked.

He added that hosting an international conference showcased the FBMS’ commitment to academic excellence. “It demonstrates our institution's ability to convene leading experts, researchers, and scholars from around the world, creating a platform for the exchange of groundbreaking ideas and research findings.”

Hattingh-Niekerk continued: “The decision to host the 7th ICTR in Cape Town, South Africa, was not only an opportunity to advance The Centre for Tourism Research in Africa and CPUT's academic standing but also a chance to bolster our country's reputation as a leading destination for research, innovation, and sustainable tourism practices.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.