Hostex 2026 unveils ambassadors leading South Africa’s hospitality conversation
5 min read
Lindiwe Sangweni-Siddo
Six industry leaders will help Hostex celebrate 40 years of opening doors when the show returns to the Sandton Convention Centre from 8 to 10 March 2026.
Announced during a lively webinar that explored how South Africa can showcase its hospitality and tourism strengths to the world during the upcoming G20 Summit, the ambassadors bring insight, energy, and first-hand experience from across the sectors that keep this industry moving – tourism, hospitality, culinary, beverage, retail, SME development, and local industry.
“We’re privileged to have ambassadors of this calibre – people who are shaping the industry and who are deeply invested in Hostex, ensuring it continues to meet the needs of the sectors it serves now and into the future,” says Lerato Nako, Event Manager of Hostex.
Meet the Hostex 2026 ambassadors
Lindiwe Sangweni-Siddo — tourism: Chief Operating Officer at City Lodge Hotels, Lindiwe is a widely respected leader with a career spanning both public and private sector tourism. She has served on several industry boards, including South African Tourism, and played a central role in advancing transformation within hospitality. Lindiwe combines hands-on operational knowledge with visionary leadership, offering a broad perspective on how tourism can adapt to meet new traveller expectations while continuing to grow local opportunity.
Trevor Boyd — culinary: A chef by training and now Operations General Manager: Food & Beverage at City Lodge Hotels, Trevor has built a distinguished career developing people, menus and hospitality standards that balance creativity and commercial success. A former national culinary team member and manager, Trevor has represented South Africa on the global stage and remains passionate about nurturing young talent in professional kitchens. His leadership bridges the artistry of food with the business of hospitality.
Omelele “Omi” Mmbo — retail & SME: As Head of Business Development – SME at FNB, Omi drives initiatives that help small businesses build resilience and access new markets. With a background in sales, customer experience and enterprise development, he understands the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in the supply chain, from funding to sustainability. His work with SMEs across the country has helped many suppliers in the hospitality and retail sectors to scale successfully, proving his belief that small business is the heartbeat of the South African economy.
Gustav Pieterse — hospitality: As FEDHASA Inland Chair, Gustav represents and advocates for the interests of hospitality professionals across South Africa. Drawing on his own operational experience as a hotelier, he has built a reputation as a practical leader focused on collaboration and policy dialogue that strengthens the industry. Gustav is passionate about ensuring that the next generation of hospitality professionals inherit a strong, inclusive and future-ready sector.
Iain Evans — beverage: Publisher of The Coffee Magazine (True North Media), Iain has been a driving force in South Africa’s coffee and beverage industry for more than a decade. Through The Coffee Magazine and events such as Creative Coffee Week, he has created platforms that unite roasters, baristas, suppliers and enthusiasts. His work celebrates craftsmanship, innovation and community — helping to shape the culture and business of beverages across Africa.
Happy MaKhumalo Ngidi — local industry: Winner of the 2025 IMM Marketer of the Year Award, Happy is Executive: Marketing & Communications at Proudly South African, where she has led the organisation’s Buy Local campaign since 2015. With more than two decades in marketing, public relations and brand management, she has worked across both corporate and entrepreneurial spaces, from multinational brands to her own ventures. Passionate about youth empowerment and women in business, she founded the Happy Khumalo Scholarship Fund and Bella Wines, blending purpose, creativity and advocacy for South African excellence.
In the build-up to Hostex 2026, each ambassador will share thought-leadership articles through Hostex’s digital channels – offering insights, trends, and advice drawn from their fields. During the show, they’ll take to the stage in the Industry Hub seminar theatre and across feature areas, engaging directly with visitors and exhibitors to exchange ideas and spark collaboration.
Beyond the show, the ambassadors will continue to be part of the Hostex think tanks and strategy sessions, helping shape how the platform evolves to meet the needs of the next generation of hospitality, food, and beverage professionals.
