Female Hospitality Leaders Shaping the Future in South Africa
SOUTH AFRICA’S FEMALE HOSPITALITY LEADERS ARE SHAPING THE INDUSTRY’S FUTURE. THEIR RESILIENCE AND DETERMINATION SET A GLOBAL EXAMPLE.
South Africa is breaking barriers in the global hospitality industry. While women make up 55.5% of the hospitality workforce worldwide, only 26% reach leadership roles. In South Africa, however, a new wave of women is shaping the industry’s future.
Jadine Venter, Head of Marketing at BON Hotels, exemplifies this trend. Her journey from a teenage waitress to a leader in female hospitality highlights the potential for growth in the industry. Jadine notes that women often have to work extra hard to earn respect in the industry. She emphasizes the importance of professionalism in handling the fast-paced nature of hospitality.
Across South Africa, women are showing resilience and determination in the hospitality sector. Jadine believes that while the industry offers numerous opportunities, women need more than just passion. Qualities like determination, encouragement, audacity, and independence are essential for success.
Balancing Work and Life in Female Hospitality
The hospitality industry presents challenges, especially for women. Long hours and demanding schedules often conflict with family responsibilities. Balancing work and life can be difficult, but progressive companies like BON Hotels are addressing these issues. Jadine explains that BON Hotels is creating more flexible policies to help women thrive both personally and professionally.
Other industry players are also stepping up to support better work-life balance for their employees. These efforts are crucial in helping women succeed in the industry.
Mentorship and Empowerment
Mentorship programs are proving valuable in empowering the next generation of female leaders. Learning from women in senior positions and observing their leadership styles is helping young women navigate their careers. These programs provide the guidance and inspiration needed to succeed.
Key factors driving this positive change include prioritizing diversity and inclusion. More companies are integrating these values into their policies, creating a more equitable environment for women. Recognizing the leadership strengths of women is another important factor. The industry is beginning to appreciate the diverse skills women bring to leadership roles.
Empowering Young Women in Hospitality
Actively engaging young women and girls in hospitality is another step forward. Programs designed to expose them to career opportunities in the industry are gaining momentum. For example, a Women’s Day initiative launched by several hotel groups, including BON Hotels, focused on this effort.
The initiative involved delivering hygiene products to under-resourced schools and visits from female hospitality leaders. These leaders shared their experiences and discussed career paths with students. Jadine explains that the program aimed to plant seeds for the future by showing young girls that hospitality is more than just a temporary job—it can be an exciting career path.
While challenges remain, the future looks bright for women in South African hospitality. Jadine believes that qualities like empathy, attention to detail, decisiveness, and multitasking make for exceptional leaders, regardless of gender. Success in the industry comes down to hard work, dedication, and a commitment to excellence.
As South Africa’s hospitality sector continues to grow, women are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping its future. Their talents, determination, and the support of forward-thinking organizations are driving the industry toward a more equitable and successful future. This positive change sets a powerful example for the rest of the world to follow.
BON Hotels
BON Hotels, a South African-based hotel management company founded in 2012, operates and manages a variety of hotels across Africa, including in Nigeria, Namibia, Ethiopia, and South Africa. Known for blending local culture with modern amenities, they focus on providing quality, affordable service for both business and leisure travelers. Their portfolio spans urban hotels, resorts, and boutique establishments, all with a commitment to sustainability and community development.
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Insights by Jadine Venter.
