Spotlight on the judges: Behind the scenes of the Tshwane Tourism Awards

With the highly anticipated Tshwane Tourism Awards set to take place on 16 August 2025 at Batter Boys Village, excitement is building across the capital. This prestigious event will honour excellence in local tourism, shining a spotlight on the people and places that make Tshwane a world-class destination.

But behind every award handed out on the night is a process that is as rigorous as it is fair. The Tshwane Tourism Awards are not a popularity contest. They are rooted in credibility and guided by a structured, evidence-based approach.

Each participating business was asked to complete a detailed self-assessment aligned to four core categories:

1. Community Contribution & Sustainability;
2. Internal Environment & Team Culture;
3. Industry Collaboration & Engagement; and
4. Business Growth & Improvement.

Finalists were then invited to submit supporting documentation, including policies and performance records, project photos and testimonials to provide tangible evidence of their achievements. This is the material currently under review by an independent panel of judges, all highly respected professionals in tourism, academia and industry operations.

Our finalists include some of the absolute best in our city (and even the country!) so judging is done independently, professionally and confidentially.

We are proud to introduce the four judges who have been selected and were so kind to offer their time, expertise and discernment to this year’s awards:

Dr. Nellie Swart, Associate Professor of Tourism, University of South Africa (UNISA); Chair: Tourism Educators South Africa (TESA)

Dr Swart is a certified meeting professional with a degree in leadership performance and change. She chairs the Executive Development Programme for Women in Tourism and has co-authored five books and over 70 peer-reviewed publications. A sought-after speaker and leader in hospitality education, she was named one of the 100 Most Powerful People in African Hospitality and a Top 5 Woman in Leadership in Africa. In 2024, she received AAXO’s award for Outstanding Contribution to the Industry.

Sibulele Mabusela, Director: Domestic Tourism, City of Tshwane

Sibulele brings over two decades of experience in tourism and destination marketing. Formerly with KZN Tourism Authority and now a senior leader within the City of Tshwane, he has championed destination branding, partnership engagement, and the inclusion of youth and SMMEs in the tourism space. His passion lies in building platforms that empower emerging tourism talent and grow the domestic travel economy.

Dr. Portia Pearl Sifolo, Director: Centre for Sustainable Tourism & Innovation; Senior Lecturer, Tshwane University of Technology

Dr Sifolo is a leading researcher and academic, holding a Doctorate in Business Administration with a focus on tourism supply chains and stakeholder engagement. She is an NRF Y2-rated researcher, a judge for national entrepreneurship awards, and an expert advisor on regional innovation initiatives. Her work advocates for inclusive tourism models, value chain integration and sustainable development across Africa.

Sean Lemour, Quality Assurance Specialist, Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA); Former Director, Tourvest Destination Management

With over 20 years in senior tourism roles, Sean is a seasoned strategist with experience in hospitality standards, destination management, and operations. Currently with TGCSA, he helps maintain and promote service excellence in graded establishments across South Africa. He has worked with leading brands like Legacy Hotels and Tourvest, and is well respected for his mentorship and commitment to quality and growth in the industry.

These four judges bring a balance of academic rigour, practical insight, and industry leadership to the process, ensuring that every finalist is assessed fairly and every winner has earned their moment in the spotlight.

As Tshwane prepares to celebrate its tourism champions, we extend our sincere thanks to this panel for their professional contribution, and to all our finalists for their courage, effort and excellence.

We look forward to welcoming you on 16 August — it’s time to shine.