Building Resilient Economies: Dr Nethengwe on Women, Leadership and the Transformative Power of Tourism

Dr Tondani Nethengwe perceives leadership as more than merely occupying a position of authority. For her, it comprises service, resilience, continuous learning and, perhaps most importantly, creating opportunities for others to rise.

In her role as the Head of the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management at the University of Venda (UNIVEN), Dr Nethengwe has built a career shaped by a passion for tourism and a deep belief in the transformative power of education. Her journey in academia has taken her through teaching, research and leadership, providing her with the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to both the University and the broader tourism education sector in various capacities. Her leadership journey, however, has not always been a straight path.

“Like many women, I have had to learn how to navigate multiple responsibilities, overcome challenges, and sometimes find my voice in spaces where difficult decisions have to be made,” she says. These experiences have shaped her understanding of what it means to lead. For Dr Nethengwe, leadership is not about having all the answers; rather, it is about listening, learning, making difficult decisions when necessary and remaining accountable to the people one leads.

Her leadership experience extends beyond her current role as Head of Department (HoD). She has served as Deputy Dean of the former School of Management Sciences, Chairperson of the UNIVEN Provident Fund and Faculty Champion for Wellness. She currently contributes at the faculty level in Work-Integrated Learning and Teaching and Learning and serves on the Executive Committee of Tourism Educators South Africa (TESA). Each of these roles, she says, has broadened her understanding of leadership and strengthened her belief in collaborative and service-oriented leadership.
Her journey has been shaped/influenced by mentors, colleagues, students, family and women whose leadership she has witnessed. For her, mentorship is particularly important because people sometimes recognise potential in others before they recognise it in themselves. “We do not grow alone,” she says. “Sometimes someone sees potential in you before you fully recognise it in yourself, and that is why mentorship and creating opportunities for others are very important to me.”

A Call for Women to Lift as They Rise

But participation alone is not enough. Dr Tondani Nethengwe believes women must increasingly move into positions of ownership, leadership and decision-making within the tourism economy. This is particularly significant in rural communities such as those surrounding UNIVEN, where tourism opportunities can be built around resources that communities already possess: their culture, heritage, landscapes, food, knowledge and traditions. With access to appropriate training, markets, technology, finance and supportive policies, these resources can be transformed into sustainable enterprises that create livelihoods, support households and strengthen local economies.

Her research interests in sustainable, rural and community-based tourism have reinforced her conviction that tourism development is most meaningful when communities are not merely beneficiaries, but active participants and owners.

“Building resilient economies, therefore, requires us to move women from the margins of economic activity to spaces where they can create, own, lead, and make decisions,” she says.
For young women entering tourism, hospitality and academia, Dr Nethengwe sees opportunities in sustainable tourism, digital tourism, entrepreneurship, destination management, events, heritage tourism, research and emerging technologies. Yet she acknowledges that opportunities do not automatically remove barriers. Financial constraints, gender stereotypes, limited professional networks and difficulty accessing mentors can still affect women’s progress.

“Education gives you a foundation, but you must continue developing yourself beyond your qualification,” she says, encouraging young women to seek mentors, build professional networks, develop new skills, embrace technology and remain open to opportunities that may initially feel uncomfortable.

Education, Opportunity and Women’s Economic Resilience

That philosophy is also reflected in her work within the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management at UNIVEN, where the responsibility extends beyond awarding qualifications. The Department seeks to prepare graduates to participate meaningfully in the economy while equipping them with the confidence and skills to create opportunities for themselves and others. The Bachelor of Commerce in Tourism Management, which commenced in 2025, incorporates Work-Integrated Learning, allowing students to connect classroom knowledge with workplace realities. The Department is also strengthening industry partnerships, reviewing its Honours programmes and exploring areas such as Ecotourism and Sacred Travel to remain responsive to developments within the tourism sector.

For Dr Nethengwe, UNIVEN’s location in Limpopo brings a particular responsibility. The province’s natural, cultural and heritage resources provide opportunities for research, skills development, sustainable tourism and local economic development.

As Women’s Month draws attention to the achievements, challenges and aspirations of women, her message of resilience, courage and collective responsibility speaks directly to the month’s significance. She urges women and girls not to allow their circumstances to determine the limits of their aspirations.

“There will be barriers. There may be moments when you question whether you belong in certain spaces or whether you are capable of taking the next step. Continue learning, continue preparing yourself, and do not be afraid to take opportunities when they come.”

For her, however, progress cannot end with individual success. Women must also create pathways for others. “When one woman progresses, she should be willing to extend her hand and help another woman move forward,” she says.

That spirit lies at the heart of her Women’s Month message and deeply aligns with the 2026 women’s month theme, ‘Empowered Women, Empower Nations.’

At the core of her message, she advises that women should continue developing themselves, supporting women-owned enterprises, mentoring younger women, sharing opportunities and taking their rightful place in leadership.

Her vision extends to a future where seeing women as professors, entrepreneurs, executives, researchers and leaders is no longer regarded as exceptional, but simply as normal.
“This Women’s Month, my hope is that we celebrate how far women have come, while also recognising our responsibility to create opportunities for those who will come after us. Our success becomes more meaningful when it creates a pathway for someone else.”

Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication
University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811