Stepping into a senior leadership role at a young age comes with plenty of responsibility, but Nomtha Twala is approaching the challenge with confidence, experience and a clear idea of the leader she wants to become.
Nomtha is the General Manager at The Alexander Estate & Vineyard, where she is responsible for overseeing the property, supporting her team and ensuring guests receive a high standard of service.
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Her appointment marks another step in a hospitality career that began at the front desk and has taken her through several roles across the industry.
“I have always believed that my journey is my own, and I try to focus on becoming the best version of myself rather than comparing myself to anyone else,” Nomtha says.
Nomtha Twala built her career one step at a time
Becoming a General Manager was always an ambition for Nomtha, but reaching the position was a gradual process shaped by every role she took on.
“Every opportunity I took, every challenge I faced and every responsibility I accepted helped prepare me for the next step,” she explains.
Her introduction to hospitality came after she initially hoped to study Events Management. When the course was full, she opted for Tourism, which included Events Management as a subject.
It was during her second year that she discovered Hospitality Management and realised it was where her passion lay. She later studied Hospitality Management at IHT Hotel School in Durbanville, Cape Town.
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From reception to the leadership table
Nomtha’s first in-service training gave her exposure to several departments, but she quickly found herself drawn to Front Office. She enjoyed interacting with guests and being one of the first people they encountered when arriving at a hotel.
Her first permanent position was as a Receptionist at Century City Hotel, where she learned the importance of professionalism, presentation and adapting to different types of guests. Her experience as a Duty Manager at Delaire Graff Boutique Hotel later helped shape her approach to leadership.
“It also taught me to never underestimate the small things, because sometimes the smallest gesture can make the biggest difference to a guest’s experience.”
Leading a team, not doing everything alone
Taking on a senior role has also meant learning what effective leadership really looks like. One of Nomtha’s biggest career lessons has been recognising that she does not have to do everything herself.
“True leadership is not about doing everything yourself; it is about trusting the people around you, delegating effectively and giving your team the opportunity to grow,” she says.
That lesson has changed the way she approaches her responsibilities.
As General Manager, Nomtha oversees the day-to-day operation, supports and develops her team, maintains service standards and looks for opportunities to improve the property and guest experience. She believes leadership also requires being present and setting the example for those around her.
As a young woman in a senior position, Nomtha says she has never approached her career as a competition with her male counterparts.
“I don’t believe leadership is about proving that you are better than someone else,” she explains. “It is about knowing your strengths, continuing to learn and bringing out the best in the people around you.”
Her focus remains on her own growth, the standards she wants to uphold and the kind of leader she wants to become.
“For me, the goal has never been to compete; it has been to grow.”
That outlook is also tied to the impact she hopes to have on other young women considering leadership.
“If my journey can inspire another young woman to believe in herself and pursue a leadership position without feeling that she has to compare herself to anyone else, then that is something I would be proud of.”
Nomtha Twala’s advice to women starting out
Looking back at the beginning of her own career, Nomtha would encourage her younger self to practise patience and trust the process.
“I would tell her to believe in herself, be patient with her journey and never be afraid to ask questions,” she told BONA.
She also believes young professionals should not feel pressured to have everything figured out from the start.
“Every experience, challenge and person she meets will teach her something.”
Now in a senior leadership role herself, Nomtha’s career is still evolving. But the lessons she has picked up along the way — from the front desk to managing a team — continue to shape how she leads.
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