RISING STAR IN THE MALDIVES
Thapelo Mmono, based in the Maldives is nominated in the Pyne Awards Africa
Botswana’s Thapelo Mmono, is taking over the international hospitality industry. The Mogapi born Mmono was recently unveiled as one of the nominees of the Rising Star of Year ( Hospitality) in the international Pyne Awards Africa.
The nomination is just one of the most exciting milestones that Mmono is celebrating this year. A creative marketing genius, and one who transforms any brand where she sets her foot in, she recently relocated to Anantara Maldives where she continues to make strides in the boardroom with Minor Hotels Group as the Marketing & Communications Executive.
She was previously working at Avani Gaborone Resort & Casino, which falls under the Minor Hotels Group of companies, as Marketing Executive where she worked for three years.
Her big move is an internal transfer, which is something that all employees of the Minor Group can get.
Speaking recently in an interview with Style, she explains that as a village girl from Mogapi, the dreams and conversations that she has with God sometimes scare her. She notes that she wants to lead a very successful career, having initiated best strategies in the marketing world and playing a key role in the development of the hospitality industry in Botswana.
“Most importantly, I want to live an impactful life through my career and decisions I make, both hard and easy,” she explains.
She further says that as a village girl who only went abroad for the first time through government scholarship, and a working mother and wife who had to leave her family behind and make tough decisions to pursue her dreams, she hopes that in some way, she may be able to inspire a girl child who may be facing difficult situations in life to always remember that, It is possible to change one’s life.
“They must remember that failures are part of life, but what is important is how you rise. And it is sometimes through small acts like reading a book, waking up early, dreaming again and having a zeal to do better in life,” adding that above all, she unashamedly believes in God.
Meanwhile, talking about her experiences in Anantara, she notes that she is forever grateful to her employer for this life changing opportunity and intends to use it to the best of her advantage. The move has not been easy but eye opening, she says.
“I work in a luxury 5- star resort on an island, which is different from the city hotel in Gaborone. But I take challenges as they come and always remember that I am here to learn and grow. I really can’t wait to go back home and implement some of the things that I will be learning along the way,” says Mmono.
The Pyne Awards, are an annual event that celebrates excellence, growth and hard work in all stakeholders operating in the hospitality and tourism industry in Africa. The annual extravaganza is attended by guests from over 20 nationalities who have business interests in tourism and hospitality, as well as government agencies that support the industry.
The event has three categories namely Industry Sector, Brand Excellence and Excellence Categories, and 37 awards including Hotel of the Year, Restaurant of the Year, Spa of the Year, Rising Star of the Year ( Hospitality), Icon of the Year ( Tourism), Chef of the Year, Manager of the Year ( Food & Beverages) to mention a few. On September 8th, a welcome cocktail and networking event will be held at Victoria Island, Lagos. This is the fifth edition of the awards.