Southern Africa integrated tourism group, Tourvest, has announced new appointments to its employees.

Group Chief Executive Luvhengo Neswiswi, who took the reins from January 1, continues to rebuild the group post COVID-19.

A chartered accountant by profession, Neswiswi has a 17-year tenure with Tourvest, having joined as Deputy CFO, and was promoted to the Group CFO position in 2006 when Tourvest was a listed entity. Neswiswi has also completed an Executive Programme at Harvard Business School.

Tourvest Group Chair, Robert Gumede, said: “Mr Neswiswi has a wealth of industry experience, excellent strategic and leadership skills, and has played a critical role in the development, growth and success of our business over the years. I am delighted that we have promoted internally, demonstrating the calibre of our team and Tourvest’s commitment to our people.

“Tourvest recognises that the tourism sector is a gateway and catalyst to economic recovery. Our priority remains to ensure job retention as we continue to reach and outperform pre-COVID levels of growth and profitability.”

Scholtz Fourie, also a chartered accountant, has been appointed Group CFO. Fourie is not new to the Group as he steps up from Tourvest Travel Services, where he served as CFO for the past seven years.

Other leadership changes include:

Gary Archer, currently CEO of Wild Horizons based in Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe), will be promoted to oversee Tourvest Activities and become a member of the Group Exco. Archer is a veteran of the industry with more than 30 years in tourism, 21 of which were spent with Tourvest.

Judi Nwokedi will take a new role of Chief Sustainability Officer responsible for Corporate Affairs, ESG, and Community Development.

Blacky Komani will take a new role of Chief International Growth Officer, where he will be responsible for growth opportunities in new markets outside South Africa.

“I believe that this new structure will ensure that the Group is strategically positioned to implement the new strategy. I also believe that we have a huge wealth of talent in the Group with expertise right across the tourism value chain that will enable us to grow from strength to strength,” concluded Neswiswi.