Women’s Month is shining a spotlight on the women helping shape Gauteng’s tourism industry through entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation. From travel planning and fashion to handcrafted products, wine and lifestyle brands, women owned businesses continue to contribute to the province’s visitor economy by creating authentic South African experiences. This Women’s Month, seven entrepreneurs are being recognised for building businesses that promote local talent, celebrate culture and strengthen Gauteng’s tourism offering.
Tourism extends far beyond hotels and attractions. It includes the artisans who create locally made products, the travel specialists who connect people with destinations, and the entrepreneurs whose businesses encourage visitors to experience Gauteng in new ways. Together, these women demonstrate how small businesses continue to play an important role in growing the province’s tourism economy.
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Women Are Driving Innovation Across Gauteng’s Tourism Economy
Gauteng’s tourism sector thrives on diverse experiences. Visitors are increasingly looking for authentic products, cultural experiences and locally owned businesses that reflect the province’s identity.
These seven entrepreneurs represent different parts of the tourism value chain. While their businesses operate in different industries, they all contribute to the visitor experience by promoting local creativity, supporting economic growth and showcasing proudly South African products and services.
Helping Travellers Explore the World With Travel Bug
For Kabelo Maleka, tourism begins with creating seamless travel experiences.
Through Travel Bug, the Johannesburg-based entrepreneur has spent more than a decade helping travellers plan holidays, business trips and customised itineraries across South Africa and international destinations.
The company offers flight bookings, accommodation, travel packages and personalised itineraries designed around each client’s needs. Its destination portfolio includes Zimbabwe, Zanzibar, Thailand, Italy, the United Kingdom and popular South African attractions.
By making travel more accessible and personalised, Travel Bug contributes to Gauteng’s position as a gateway for both domestic and international tourism.
Celebrating African Creativity Through Sybarite Accessories
Locally made products have become an important part of the visitor experience, giving travellers an opportunity to take home something uniquely South African.
Founded by Lebo Visagie, Sybarite Accessories creates handcrafted earrings, necklaces, rings, headwraps and clothing inspired by African design.
Each item is produced in Johannesburg using laser cut wood, resin and hand painted finishes, with many collections created in small batches to ensure every piece is unique.
The brand celebrates African identity while supporting local manufacturing and creative entrepreneurship, giving visitors an opportunity to purchase authentic handmade products.
Showcasing Afrocentric Fashion Through Yammie Collectionz
Fashion entrepreneur Vuyo Mavuso established Yammie Collectionz in 2015 with a vision of celebrating African culture through clothing and accessories.
The business specialises in Afrocentric fashion designed for different body shapes, sizes and occasions, making locally inspired clothing accessible to a broad customer base.
As interest in proudly South African fashion continues to grow, Yammie Collectionz contributes to Gauteng’s creative economy by showcasing African design and craftsmanship to both residents and visitors.
Preserving Craftsmanship Through Different Stories Creation
Handmade products continue to attract visitors looking for meaningful souvenirs and locally produced gifts.
Through Different Stories Creation, Bongekile Kubheka transforms crochet into contemporary fashion by creating handcrafted bags, hats, dresses, skirts, cardigans, necklaces and earrings.
The business focuses on quality craftsmanship, custom designs and affordability while celebrating creativity through every handmade item.
Its products reflect the growing demand for authentic South African craftsmanship and demonstrate how traditional skills continue to create modern tourism opportunities.
Promoting Proudly South African Wines With Gata-Lenna Wines
Wine remains one of South Africa’s most recognisable tourism products, connecting visitors with local flavours and experiences.
Fika Mokwana, founder of Gata-Lenna Wines, has built a proudly South African wine brand offering dry red, sweet red and dry white wines crafted for different occasions.
The business regularly participates in exhibitions, lifestyle events and trade expos that introduce consumers to locally produced wines while supporting South African producers.
Through these experiences, Gata-Lenna Wines contributes to the province’s growing food and beverage tourism sector.
Empowering African Fashion Through J’Kweendom Holdings
Established in 2020, J’Kweendom Holdings is led by founder and chief executive officer Dimakatso Mookodi, whose vision combines fashion, storytelling and entrepreneurship.
The business creates designer bags and garments inspired by African heritage while empowering creatives through collaboration and skills development.
Since launching, J’Kweendom Holdings has expanded beyond South Africa through exhibitions and retail collaborations in Botswana while participating in conferences, fashion showcases and community upliftment initiatives in Gauteng.
The business demonstrates how fashion can preserve cultural identity while creating economic opportunities within the tourism sector.
Building a Proudly Local Lifestyle Brand Through Okuhle By Bonolo
Entrepreneur Melanie Bonolo Rakumakoe has developed Okuhle By Bonolo into a lifestyle brand that celebrates locally made products and African creativity.
The business reflects the growing demand for locally produced brands that combine quality craftsmanship with contemporary design.
By encouraging consumers to support locally made products, Okuhle By Bonolo contributes to Gauteng’s expanding network of women owned enterprises that strengthen tourism through retail and lifestyle experiences.
Why Supporting Women Owned Tourism Businesses Matters
Women entrepreneurs continue to play a vital role in expanding Gauteng’s tourism offering.
Their businesses help create employment opportunities, preserve local craftsmanship, promote South African products and provide visitors with authentic experiences that cannot be found anywhere else.
From handcrafted fashion and travel planning to premium wines and locally produced lifestyle brands, these entrepreneurs are demonstrating that tourism is built not only through destinations but also through the people who create memorable experiences.
What This Means for Gauteng Residents
Supporting women owned businesses strengthens local communities while helping Gauteng’s tourism economy grow.
Choosing locally produced products, booking with local travel companies and supporting women entrepreneurs keeps investment within the province while encouraging innovation, job creation and skills development.
Women’s Month also provides an opportunity for residents and visitors to discover businesses that showcase Gauteng’s creativity, diversity and entrepreneurial spirit.
Celebrating the Women Behind Gauteng’s Tourism Success
The stories of these seven entrepreneurs highlight the many ways women contribute to Gauteng’s tourism industry beyond traditional hospitality.
Whether through planning unforgettable journeys, designing Afrocentric fashion, producing handcrafted products or creating proudly South African wines, each entrepreneur is helping shape the experiences that visitors take home with them.
As Women’s Month is celebrated across South Africa, these businesses stand as examples of how innovation, resilience and creativity continue to strengthen Gauteng’s visitor economy while inspiring the next generation of women entrepreneurs.
