The Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, mourns the sad passing of Dr Vuyo Mahlati, a pioneer who broke every mould of gender stereotyping. Amongst other things, she dedicated her life to the emancipation of women and the achievement of gender equality. This is evidenced by her extensive work at the International Women’s Forum (IWF), an organisation that is committed to advancing women’s leadership globally, and equality worldwide.
She served two terms as the President of the International Women’s Forum (IWF) South Africa, and in 2013, she was appointed Global Director of IWF Leadership Foundation Board, and co-chair for the IWF Cornerstone Conference 2015 in Johannesburg. She served as a global director of IWF and as co-chair of IWF Presidents’ Council - a body of 70 plus Presidents of IWF forums globally across 6 continents. She was recently nominated unopposed as the 2020-2022 IWF Global President with her term of office due to start on the 29th October of 2020.
Dr Mahlati made an immense contribution to the construction of a non-sexist and non-racial South Africa. She served in various institutions, public and private, including the National Planning Commission, demonstrating her willingness to use her skills and influence for the benefit of all South Africans, and humanity as whole.
During her tenure as the chairperson of the Tourism Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Charter Council, she diligently worked to address the transformation challenges facing the tourism sector. Under her leadership, the Council in partnership with the Department, developed the Transformation Strategy to transform the sector beyond the targets set in the Tourism B-BBEE Codes. It was also during this period that awareness was raised on the Tourism B-BBEE Codes in all the nine provinces.
Minister Kubayi-Ngubane, together with the staff at the Department of Tourism, would like to convey their deepest condolences to the Mahlati family.
For media enquiries, contact:
Hlengiwe Nhlabathi-Mokota
Spokesperson: Minister of Tourism
Cell: +2764 754 8426
E-mail: hnhlabathi@tourism.gov.za