Ladies of Livingstone

Ladies of

Writer: Sarah Kingdom

Livingstone is definitely one of the ‘jewels in the crown’ of Zambian tourism, and it must be said that a number of women working in the industry there are certainly the ‘power behind the throne’. On recent visits to Livingstone I was impressed with the professionalism, innovation, charisma and motivation of so many of the women working there. I chatted with a few of them…

Aggie Maseko Banda

Lodge Manager, Royal Chundu

Aggie is proof that hard work and a bubbly personality are a winning combination. Initially training as a personal assistant and working with the Zambian Government, Aggie has earned her position in the hospitality industry through hard work and ‘on-the-job’ experience. After marrying and following her husband to South Africa where he was working as a chef, a job opportunity as a receptionist at her husband’s workplace started her on the hospitality ladder. Climbing the ladder rapidly she found herself assistant lodge manager after just two years.

A fortuitous meeting with the owner/director of Royal Chundu resulted in a job offer back home in Zambia. Before accepting the job, Aggie and her husband flew up to see Royal Chundu. ‘It was love at first sight; I told myself that there was no way I could not work at this beautiful place,’ she tells me. Initially starting as Island Lodge Supervisor, Aggie is now Lodge Manager at Royal Chundu. ‘This is my passion,’ she says. ‘I wake up every morning to do what I love. To say I love my job is an understatement. I am living my dream, doing what makes me happy.’

Joyce Sikabubba

Public Relations Manager, Royal Livingstone Hotel By Anantara And Avani Victoria Falls Resort

Born, raised and educated in Zambia, Joyce is a force to be reckoned with in her chosen career. ‘From a very young age, I have been passionate about my dream career: hospitality,’ she states.

Graduating from Evelyn Home College, Joyce started her hospitality career with Mosi-oa-Tunya Intercontinental Hotels in Livingstone. After the privatisation of the Intercontinental, she joined Sun International, working in both the Zambezi Sun and Royal Livingstone. ‘It was such an exciting journey to be part of the opening team for Sun International Zambia,’ she enthuses.

When Minor Hotel Group acquired ownership of the two Sun International properties, Joyce continued working as public relations manager for both hotels. Joyce, one of the hotel’s longest serving employees, has worked in senior management positions in Front Office, Rooms, Sales and Marketing and Public Relations.‘My passion for hospitality drives my success. I love my job, am passionate about service excellence and perfecting the art of hospitality throughout my career journey,’ she says.

Joyce is a strong believer in maintaining strong, long-term relationships with both clients and colleagues; after sharing high tea with her at the Royal Livingstone, I certainly came away feeling I had made a friend.

Currently pursuing her studies in tourism and hospitality through the London School of Planning and Management, Joyce is clearly as passionate about her chosen profession as ever.

Livingstone__________ ________

Faith Yamba

Marketing Consultant, Livingstone's Adventure

Faith is a confident and dynamic young woman. She undertook her formal qualifications at Mulungushi University and obtained a Bachelor of Commerce degree, majoring in marketing. Initially, bowing to her parent’s wishes, Faith studied economics, but by her second year of university, when time came to select her major, she says, ‘I had to be brave and tell my parents that my destiny was in marketing.’

Faith moved to Livingstone after being offered a position as marketing consultant at Livingstone’s Adventure. ‘This new opportunity was perfect in the sense that I could practise marketing as a whole, giving me the ability to be innovative and creative,’ she explains.

Responsible for marketing the company’s activities both locally and regionally, Faith thinks that in this role, being innovative is essential. ‘As the marketing consultant at Livingstone’s Adventure, my job is to make sure that I create a strong lasting relationship with our agents.’

On her choice of career Faith has this to say: ‘Growing up I had the opportunity to travel and live in different countries and because of that diversity, it helped mould me into the person I am today. My love for travel and meeting new people has definitely had a big impact on my marketing career.’

Catherine Mukubwa Shamasamu

Operations And Ground Handling Manager, Bushtracks Africa

Catherine has a degree in Public Administration and Development studies from the University of Zambia, and qualifications in Front Office Operations from the Hotel Travel and Training Institute. After completing her professional training, and time spent running the Copperbelt University Guest Lodge, she relocated to Livingstone, finding herself at Sun International and involved in the opening of their two hotels, Royal Livingstone and Zambezi Sun. At Sun International, Catherine was in charge of high profile clients and site inspections, and undertook several in-house training courses, working her way up through the ranks in Front Office, Guest Relations and as Events/Incentives Co-ordinator. Deciding to diversify, Catherine moved to Bushtracks Africa as assistant groups and incentives manager, eventually taking over running the Ground Handling Department, a position she still holds and runs with enviable precision and professionalism.

Anna Mutale

Reception, Consultant, Ground Handling, Train Hostess And Personal Assistant To The Managing Director, Bushtracks Africa

Anna juggles her varied job with a perpetually smiling face and great enthusiasm. Having grown up believing that anything in life is possible, Anna decided on a career in tourism. ‘From a young age I have been very determined and self-motivated, having a real passion for the hospitality industry,’ she says.

She graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Leisure and Tourism Management from the Livingstone Institute of Business and Engineering Studies. She initially ran her own small business and then came a period working as manager of a boarding house, before she decided to relocate from Lusaka and take up a position with Bushtracks.

Anna’s job is varied and busy, yet she keeps a cool head, remaining calm, friendly and professional at all times. I first met her manning the reception desk in the morning, and again at the end of a long day, when she welcomed us aboard the Royal Livingstone Express for dinner—she was still smiling and gracious.

Eunice Lubinda

Islands Of Siankaba Management Team, Lodge Manager & Reservations

Eunice seems to be everywhere you look at Islands of Siankaba! She’s hands on in all areas of the lodge, not to mention really great company chatting by the fire before dinner! Eunice studied Travel and Tourism Management at The Hotel, Travel and Tourism Training Institute. ‘To be honest I had always wanted to study medicine; I was fascinated by the human body when I was a little girl. However, with my bubbly personality and my love for nature, travel, leisure, events and mostly food, I found myself more inclined to the service industry and my passion for hospitality grew,’ she explains.

Immediately after graduating, she worked as guest relations assistant at Museums Board of Livingstone. After a brief period in Lusaka, she joined Islands of Siankaba, as guest relations and duty manager before progressing to her current role as lodge manager.

Not one to rest on her laurels, she is currently pursuing her studies with The Zambia Institute of Tourism and Hospitality. ‘I have believed there is so much more that I can contribute to the industry; my career is new but I have a burning passion and love what I do.’

Numba Fwanyanga

Islands Of Siankaba Management Team, Qualified Masseuse & Runs The Lodge Spa

Numba has been at Islands of Siankaba for three years. Prior to that, she was based at the Royal Livingstone hotel spa. On-the-job training at Royal Livingstone, followed by five years working in their spa, cemented her decision to work on the beauty side of tourism. Moving from Royal Livingstone to Islands of Siankaba, she not only runs the Siankaba spa, but has branched out into other areas of the hospitality business. Her role at Islands expanded to include guest relations, staff management, and administration. Not only has Numba diversified, but she strives to learn more and to advance further in her chosen industry. In her words she is ‘determined to become a key player.’ An open, friendly and professional person, it is not hard to see that this is a young lady who’s going places.

Doubtless there are many more women, who are just as capable, working in the Zambian tourism industry, but I was delighted and privileged to meet and chat with these truly inspiring, Livingstone-based ladies.