New leader takes over JTC

After running a tight ship for four years, Lindiwe Kwele has stepped down from the Johannesburg Tourism Company. Phelisa Mangcu has taken over.
PHELISA Mangcu has taken the helm at the Johannesburg Tourism Company (JTC) as the acting chief executive officer, following the resignation of Lindiwe Kwele, who headed the body from March 2008.

Phelisa Mangcu, acting JTC CEOPhelisa Mangcu is acting JTC CEOMangcu, who also heads the JTC’s visitor services bureau, took up her duties at the beginning of January 2012.

After winning tourism awards and growing Joburg’s tourism industry during her time as chief executive, Kwele parted ways with the JTC to take up a position as one of three deputy City managers in the City of Tshwane.

Heading the strategy and implementation portfolio, she will be responsible for managing the City’s framework, planning and economic development.

During her tenure at the JTC, Kwele led it to greater heights, commanding recognition locally and internationally. The organisation won a number of awards, including the PMR Diamond Arrow Award in 2010 and 2011. The awards recognised the company’s contribution to promoting tourism and conservation in the city.

Other accolades include the award for Sustainability and Responsible Tourism and for Africa’s Leading Tourism Project in the World Travel Awards, in 2009 and 2010 respectively.

Mangcu said: "We are all enormously saddened by Lindiwe’s departure, as she has made enormous strides to really put Joburg Tourism on the map during her tenure.

"However, she leaves behind a closely knit team and a culture of fearless dynamism, for which we are enormously grateful. She will be sorely missed on the Joburg scene, but has JTC’s every good wish for success in her new role."