When news broke yesterday (July 8) of Bradley Brouwer’s passing at the age of 55 – his twin brother Craig passed away on Wednesday (July 7) – tributes poured in for this beloved member of the tourism industry, all remarking on his passion and commitment to the industry as well as his kindness and love for life.
So many viewed Bradley as a friend, including myself. He always had time for everyone and was a great source of news because of his strong industry connections, and was also always willing to chat and assist, any time of day or night, something many others remarked on, many referring to him as their mentor.
Active on many tourism groups and associations, including as Chairman of the Mpumalanga Chapter of SATSA when he still worked in the private sector, and was a valued member of the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa team.
He joined SA Tourism in 2007 and in his 14 years with the organisation, served as head of the Asia Pacific Hub before he moved back to South Africa in 2018 to become Head of Global Trade at SA Tourism.
“Our hearts and thoughts go out to Bradley’s family during this difficult time, particularly his parents and children,” said Acting CEO of SA Tourism, Sthembiso Dlamini.
“Bradley was exemplary in every role he took on during his time at SA Tourism and built excellent relationships with trade partners both locally and abroad, which assisted SA Tourism greatly in achieving its goals of driving visitors to South Africa,” she added.
Dlamini said he would be fondly remembered for his wonderful personality, his kind heart as well as his immense contribution to enhancing South African Tourism’s strategic alliance and support to international trade.
“SA Tourism would like to express its sincere condolences to family, friends and close associates of Bradley,” she added.
Tributes to Bradley
We felt we could not shorten and/or edit the many heartfelt tributes we received so we offer these below, all written from the heart, with love and admiration for one of the industry’s heroes.
Gail McCann Westphal (ex SATSA CEO who worked closely with Bradley)
“Bradley, you and I go back many years and had many adventures together. Always going the extra mile to make it easier for others. You will be sorely missed across the globe and certainly back home. Til we meet again, my friend.”
Sean Bradley, Chief Business Development Officer – Africa at Travelwings
“Receiving news of Bradley’s passing feels surreal… how fragile this life is!
Within each industry sector, there are game-changers and champions, and in the tourism industry Bradley stood apart as a person of integrity and drive, complemented by his immense experience and understanding of the greater tourism industry.
Bradley’s skills were vast and extended across many commercial disciplines, including structuring partnerships across the wider tourism landscape, as well as growing and supporting relationships at Diplomatic levels across the Asia Pacific region.
Having met Bradley during my chapter with the Radisson Blu Hotel Sandton, just before the 2010 FIFA World Cup, we started working together and received amazing support from him with the positioning of groups from Asia Pacific, where he was Head of the region for SA Tourism.
Our relationship developed further when I was brought back to South African Airways in my role as Head of Global Trade & Product Support. Bradley and I worked even closer with a range of trade initiatives to grow the inbound numbers from Asia and ultimately supporting load-factor growth for SAA on the HKG route, including helping position the Beijing route.
Through these chapters I got to know more about Bradley and the incredible person he was. Always willing to help… making a positive difference and contributing with a meaningful cause was part of Bradley’s DNA!
During my time with the Board of Airline Representative of SA while serving on the board, Bradley was always available to provide market insight.
To me, Bradley was always a generous and kind-hearted individual with a wonderful sense of humour. His creativity in structuring partnerships complemented his love for tourism.
Our relationship went beyond just industry; his friendship was sincere and delivered much laughter – Bradley was a ray of sunshine!
We have lost a great industry leader… Bradley, thank you for all your support and friendship.”
Hannelie du Toit, COO at SATSA
“I always knew that tourism folk had big hearts, we have to because our family is so big. But how much more can these big hearts break?
It’s been a devastating time for this family on so many levels. Yesterday we lost another giant.
Bradley Brouwer was a friend and beacon to me and so many others, with a life dedicated to the tourism industry. He served as SATSA’s Mpumalanga Chapter Chair whilst at Forever Resorts at the turn of the millennium. This solid grounding in the private sector before he joined South African Tourism made him the ideal link between the public and private sector.
As SATSA we send out a lot of communication and I am not exaggerating when I say that to each and every single email, I always received a ‘dankie’. I will miss that, and the regular chats, and always having Bradley to turn to for industry questions and assistance. He was a shining example of being available to everyone at any time.
I am forever grateful that I was able tell him that he was loved and to have my last words be that I wish I were there to hold his hand.
Rest well my friend.”
David King, Project Manager at Wesgro Cape Town Air Access
“Bradley served on our Steering Committee and I just want to highlight his commitment towards our project and the whole of South Africa. He had a rare passion and it was evident working with him.”
June Crawford, ACS Board member, SAA Board member and Chair of the Aviation Working Group of the South African BRICS Business Council (amongst others)
“I came to know Bradley well during my tenure as the CEO of BARSA during which time I learned of his unwavering passion for the tourism industry but also a deep-seated desire to serve his country.
He did so by securing amazing relationships around the world and delivering support to all with whom he came into contact. In more recent times I invited him to join the Tourism group of the South African BRICS Business Council knowing that he would add immense value because of his international experience.
Several conversations with him, as expected, were fruitful and once again highlighted his commitment and the depth of his knowledge and experience.
He will be sorely missed as a colleague but more especially as a dear friend.”
Suzanne Benadie, SATSA Board Member and Sales and Marketing Director at Sense of Africa
“Many of us at Tourvest Destination Management worked closely with Bradley over the years with our various business units that focus on the Asian markets. He was always a wealth of information, a great networker and a true tourism ambassador.
He worked tirelessly at trade shows for exhibitors and buyers. We have lost another icon in our industry, and our condolences to Bradley’s family and friends.”
Yugashnee Naicker, Group Manager: Sales at Peermont Hotels, Casinos and Resorts
“In loving memory of a dear friend, your memories are treasured within my heart and you were so precious and dear. You’re unforgettable and will be remembered with warmest thoughts and you were one in a million, and you will always be.
Bradley you are a precious and unique friend and I will always cherish my memories of you. Life will not be same without you and you will live forever in my heart and mind. I will forever treasure your memories, you are irreplaceable.
Goodbye my friend.”
Mike Rumble, Mothercity Sky Diving
“Bradley always had time for everyone, no matter how ‘high up’ he was. Always fun with a naughty laugh. Brutally honest, honourable and humble through and through.
A loveable, gentle, genuinely caring human being. I remember the good times we shared throughout the 22 odd years our paths crossed.
Blessings Bradley, you will be sorely missed… and remembered as one of the greats of our time.”
Barry O’Donoghue, MD of Cape Xtreme Adventure Tours and Cape to Addo Safaris
“Bradley’s achievements in tourism and travel have been immense, but what stands out most for me is the significant role he played in pushing for the re-opening of tourism in South Africa and international travel in particular.
We must remember him for his love of South Africa, the positivity he brought and his desire to see South Africa as a top destination of choice for international travellers.”
Christopher Phillips, Owner of 1stclassplease
“[Bradley was] a kind and generous man – a legend in the tourism industry. Always prepared to showcase South Africa as a destination to a global audience.
A kind-hearted soul who always had a sympathetic ear, a colleague always ready to facilitate business networking.
Thank you my friend for being the light in someone’s dark night, for binging a smile and laughter to any gathering. Your legacy will live on.
Rest softly.”
