Tourism warrior elected to national body
MBOMBELA - Oupa Pilane, the man with a small stature, but with the fighting spirit of a leopard. Mention his name in any tourism circle and the smiles go up like the rising sun, the well-known symbol of the tourism trade in Mpumalanga.
For the past number of years, Pilane changed his focus from being involved in setting up different companies, from restaurants to a business hub, to drive home his real passion, tourism.
Soon he was a force to be reckoned with as he was not only getting involved in developments such as the Graskop Glass Lift Co, but he did not hesitate to take on the powers that be who kept putting hurdles in the way of tourism development in the province.
He gained a wealth of expertise in the political field, most notably as the spokesperson for Mathews Phosa, the first Mpumalanga premier, but also as a government employee where he served in numerous senior roles.
Most of his deployments from his government office was as a troubleshooter to assist other struggling entities.
A new feather in his cap was added last week when he was elected as the national co-chairperson of the Southern African Tourism Services Association (Satsa).
“I may still be struggling to process this responsibility, as I am still not sure what I have done for the tourism industry to deserve such an accolade, but I commit myself to serve the tourism sector the best way I can,” Pilane said.
This appointment came in the same week when he undertook a triland tour of eSwatini, Mozambique and South Africa.
“We travelled to eSwatini and focused on cultural activities. Then we crossed the border into Mozambique to experience the beaches and ended up in South Africa in Mpumalanga to experience wildlife and scenic views,” Pilane said.
“Being nominated for such a position in Satsa was not only an honour, but I really had to think hard what my role would be. There are so many more people in the trade who have more experience than I do.
“I also had to discuss the matter with my children, and it was then that I realised I must do this for the greater good of tourism in the country.”
To wrap up the tour, Pilane was invited to a dinner hosted by by Vusi Mkhatshwa, the MEC for economic development and tourism, to speak on behalf of Satsa.
“It was good to inform the powers that be and the private sector about the experience of the tour and investment opportunities.”