PAGE VENUE PEOPLE STRAP NEWS PROFILE
Lihle Ngwane, Events Operations Manager.
Cynthia Okuonghea, Groups and Events Administration Manager.
Meet Sun City’s Events power-pair Not even a pandemic kept Lihle Ngwane and Cynthia Okuonghea from staging world-class events.
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hen you work in the Events and Conferencing Department at a resort as iconic as Sun City, you know you’re always in the spotlight and it’s always ‘show time’. The resort has a rich history of hosting some truly awesome events, featuring the who’s who of local and international megastars in entertainment, business and sport. Expectations are high and world-class delivery is non-negotiable. For Lihle Ngwane, Events Operations Manager, and Cynthia Okuonghea, Groups and Events Administration Manager, entertaining customers at the resort is in their blood. This dynamic 22 Business Events Africa May 2022
duo is tasked with making sure that events are booked, staged and run on time, every time. It’s a massive job, but Lihle and Cynthia have the experience and expertise to ensure that the department shines and sets a wonderful example to the industry at large. Let’s meet the power pair “To be associated with this beautiful brand makes me feel motivated to develop myself more, professionally and personally,” Lihle says. “Sun International has worked hard to build a big name and a solid brand, and we’re recognised internationally, so our standards are very high.”
She’s worked for the Group since 2012 — first at The Maslow, Sandton, then at Sun City, Sibaya and now, back at Sun City. Lihle recalls: “When I started at Sun City in 2016, it took me a good three months just to learn my way around the resort — it is indeed a city within a city. It can be extremely exciting when you’re working the big outdoor events – like the renowned Nedbank Golf Challenge – and have to run in-between three different and very separate venues. It makes your mind operate on another level. The planning that goes into these events – and seeing an ordinary venue turning into this extravagant place – makes me incredibly www.businesseventsafrica.com
