Extraordinary careers in tourism

The tourism industry is a vast field, it traverses an almost infinite list of employment sectors. Transport in all its forms, hospitality, food, general and specialised touring, sales and marketing, wildlife, journalism and photography – these are just some of the possibilities open to those seeking a career in tourism.

To celebrate National Tourism month and to highlight the varied employment opportunities as well as the benefits of working in tourism, the National Department of Tourism (NDT), the Department of Economic Development and Tourism in KwaZulu-Natal (DEDT – KZN), and the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA) are hosting the National Tourism Careers Expo (NTCE) from 23-25 September at the Moses Mahbida Stadium in Durban.

“The National Tourism Sector Strategy is also focussed on ensuring that South Africa is ranked in the top 20 tourism destinations in the world by 2020. Initiatives like the NTCE support this vision as it provides learners and educators with the opportunity to learn more about the exciting world of tourism,” says Minister Thokozile Xasa, Deputy Minister of Tourism.

The action-packed programme of this year’s NTCE includes a cook-off with celebrity chef and NTCE ambassador, Chef Citrum Khumalo, mixology sessions with non-alcoholic drinks, a CV writing workshop and an interactive exhibition showcasing the wide range of careers available in the sector. Young tourism entrepreneurs will also be speaking during informal sessions, sharing their inspiring stories of success from the sector.

“For the 15,000 learners, unemployed youth and educators coming through the doors the expo highlights that working in tourism provides career progression, a source of reliable income and it offers young people the chance to start their own business. The NTCE is also all about showing learners the variety of careers available in the sector,” says Mike Tsotetsi, CEO of CATHSSETA.

Sometimes, whether by design or accident, members of the industry find themselves in uncommon roles. For the birding guide, sommelier, backpacker lodge operator and dolphin trainer working in tourism has opened up a range of possibilities and allowed them to follow their passions.

The birding guide: David Letsoalo
The increasing number of tourists seeking natural experiences in their travels and with bird watching is one of the fastest growing outdoor activities in the world.  South Africa, situated on major avian migratory paths, makes an excellent base for this pursuit. 

Local communities, like Magoebaskloof, in bird rich areas are well placed to take advantage of this trend, which has the ability to offer sustainable incomes through environmental conservation. 
Letsoalo, employed at a bird watching and wellness centre, Kurisa Moya, located in the Magoebaskloof  Woodbush area between Polokwane and Tzaneen, is a benefactor of training from BirdLife SA,  an environmental organisation dedicated to the conservation of birds. The receipt of a pair of binoculars from his employer, along with the essential birding book Roberts Birds of Southern Africa, set this Limpopo gardener on a new path.  He is now an ardent twitcher.

The training has honed his skills to the point that he was recently awarded the association’s prestigious Eagle Award for top guiding. He now serves on the council of BirdlifeSA and is involved in a training and mentoring programme that has been rolled out across the country.

Letsoalo says the best part of his day is waking early in order to catch the avian ‘dawn chorus’ in the forest.  Over and above birds, his job requires a wider, general knowledge. “One gets asked about politics, cars, all sorts of things, “he says.  He also notes a need for flexibility.  “Clients are so different, you have to develop the skill to bond with all types of people. A sense of humour helps.”

The sommelier: Thato Goimane
Thato Goimane was funding his studies in interior design through restaurant work, when he found he preferred the restaurant environment to design.  It was a happy discovery, as Goimane would go on to hold a highly specialised position in the world of fine dining, that of sommelier.

Now employed at one of the country’s most acclaimed hotels, the Oyster Box in Umhlanga Rocks, Goimane guides diners on their wine choices.  His in-depth knowledge of the fruit of the vine enables him to assist diners in choosing the most appropriate wines to complement their selection of dishes, to recommend new wine experiences and even shift the tastes of the most accomplished wine drinkers.

Originally a Sowetan, Goimane found himself working in some of Johannesburg’s top restaurants and took these opportunities to ‘soak up’ all the knowledge he could on wines.  At one point, he was tasting up to 1 500 wines a day in his quest to learn all he could.  His expertise has given him the honour of serving as a judge on a number of wine tasting panels.Goimane loves the interaction with guests that his job affords him, and is encouraged by the growth of the wine-drinking population as people become more informed.

Backpack Lodge Operator: Lebo Malepa
Since he was 22, Lebo Malepa has been involved in hosting tourists to his home township, Soweto.  “I used to see visitors coming into the township in coaches,” he says.  “I felt strongly that they needed to get off the bus, mix with the locals and experience township life with all their senses.” 

Lebo would tailor excursions where tourists would play soccer against young Sowetans, or meet ordinary people in shebeens in the evenings.  “I began taking them to my grandparents house for a meal, and if someone needed accommodation for the night, I would give up my room.  My ability to take them places was often limited by my lack of a car, so I came up with the idea of using bicycles.”

Slowly the business shaped itself and word spread. By 2003, Malepa was operating Soweto Backpackers in Orlando West.  The business is multifaceted, offering accommodation, cycling and walking tours in the heritage-packed township, and a volunteer programme that sees visitors getting involved in local developmental projects.

While Malepa completed some short business and management courses earlier on, he believes passion, innovation and perseverance are the qualities that have made Soweto Backpackers the success it is.  “It doesn’t happen overnight, you’ve got to keep pushing and not get discouraged,” he says.

The Dolphin Trainer: Lungisani Mbhele
From boyhood, Lungisani Mbhele displayed a love of all animals.  Dolphins, however, captured his heart from the first.  “From the moment I was introduced to dolphins I knew I wanted to work with these beautiful, intelligent and intriguing animals.”On leaving school, Lungisani went on to study in two rather diverse fields, drama and science.  In completing a Bachelor of Science degree, he became hooked on conservation.

Today, 28-year old Lungisani finds himself living his dream, working for the Mammal and Bird Department at uShaka Sea World in Durban.  While most people refer to his job as ‘dolphin trainer’, he is in fact an animal behaviourist, as his tasks involve far more than training the dolphins to entertain.

He describes a typical day: “As soon as we arrive in the morning we check on the dolphins and monitor them. Then we prepare their meals of fish for the day and enjoy an early morning interactive session with them.  We check their environment by testing water samples and temperatures. Record keeping and data capture is an important part of our activities, as well as all the training sessions, medical checks and daily shows. We also spend time in planning meetings and enrichment sessions.

“The time I spend interacting with the dolphins is the highlight of my day,” he concludes.