South African National Parks (SANParks) has appointed Hapiloe Sello as its new CEO, making her the first female CEO since its establishment in 1926.
According to Pam Yako, Chairperson of the SANParks Board, the Board was delighted to appoint a leader of Sello’s calibre to the role with her deep-rooted knowledge of the interconnectedness of conservation, tourism, and people.
“I have no doubt that SANParks is in good hands for the next phase of its growth,” said Yako.
Sello joined SANParks in 2015 as its Managing Executive for Tourism Development and Marketing and, among others, acted as SANParks CEO from June to November 2022.
As Managing Executive for Tourism, she spearheaded the implementation of the organisation’s commercialisation strategy and implemented several tourism products, events, and strategic partnerships which have helped bring in the necessary resources for SANParks, the entity said in a statement.
Yako said this is a significant step forward for transformation and women empowerment in the sector. “This is a huge leap forward for African conservation and tourism as a catalyst for progress and sustainable change.”
City Lodge Hotel Group announces two hotel GM appointments
Retief Albertyn has been appointed general manager of the 90-room Road Lodge Richards Bay with effect from April 1, while Slesh Skosana was appointed general manager of the 92-room Road Lodge Durban on February 1.
Albertyn joined City Lodge Hotel Group (CLHG) in 1996 as a receptionist/night auditor at Town Lodge Bellville. In 2000, he was appointed as a reservationist at City Lodge Hotel GrandWest, and three years later to front office coordinator at City Lodge Hotel Pinelands.
He was promoted to assistant general manager at City Lodge Hotel V&A Waterfront in 2006, and to senior assistant general manager a year later at City Lodge Hotel Pinelands. In 2011, he took up the role of senior assistant general manager at City Lodge Hotel V&A Waterfront.
Skosana joined CLHG in 2009 as a receptionist/night audit relief at City Lodge Hotel Sandton, Katherine Street, and was part of the 2010 opening team at City Lodge Hotel at OR Tambo International Airport as a receptionist.
In 2011, he was promoted to front office controller, and in 2012 he took up the role of junior assistant general manager at City Lodge Hotel Sandton, Morningside. A year later, he returned to City Lodge Hotel at OR Tambo International Airport as a junior assistant general manager.
The following year, Slesh embarked on the Accelerated Development and Deployment Programme, and in 2015 was promoted to assistant general manager at Town Lodge Johannesburg Airport. In 2019, he took up the role of senior assistant general manager at City Lodge Hotel Fourways.
