PERSONALITY PROFILE
Thabani Ndlovu – “I always had my heart set on working in Africa” Passionate Thabani Ndlovu, 39, general manager of Hilton Garden Inn Gaborone in Botswana was born and raised in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
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fter school I moved to the United Kingdom to study international hospitality and marketing management. Whilst there, I began working in the industry at Hilton London Metropole and have enjoyed a long career with Hilton over the past 16 years.” “I spent more than 10 years in the UK, growing in a corporate role within Hilton EMEA until I moved back to Africa. In 2013, I opened the Hilton global sales office for Africa, looking after key accounts from Cape Town to Lagos and travelling every other week to different cities and countries on the continent.” Ms Ndlovu has worked in Zambia and also in Namibia on the Hilton Garden Inn hotels. She was appointed general manager of Hilton Garden Inn Gaborone in December 2019. 24 Business Events Africa July 2021
Ms Ndlovu said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my career, the experiences and exposure I have been afforded. It is something I had never imagined growing up in a middle-class Zimbabwean family.” “I would like for more of Africa’s younger generation to have similar experiences, and to contribute to the development of our continent. As a result, I strive to inspire and assist with the development of colleagues wherever I am. On a more personal note, I would love to have an establishment of my own by the time I retire. If not, then to have enough savings to be on holiday for the rest of my life,” she added. Ms Ndlovu said that her proudest achievements include: • Successfully leading a team of 80 per cent female management through 2020 and retaining most of the team members in the workforce. www.businesseventsafrica.com
