Meet This Year’s Diamond Works Concierges for the Inter-Hotel Challenge ~ SA 2026 supported by Union Tiles
Every year, a new group of hospitality professionals step forward to represent The Diamond Works Concierges Choice and this year’s candidates are no exception.
Chosen for their skill, warmth, and genuine care for the guest experience, they carry forward a tradition of guest liaison that sits at the heart of what makes South African hospitality world-class.
The first face a traveller sees and the last hand they shake, the quiet, constant work of anticipating needs, solving problems before they arise, and making a stay memorable. It’s a career built on precision, discretion, and genuine hospitality instinct, and one that deserves recognition as a serious, skilled profession within our hotels.
To South African Tourism and our industry partners: these are the people shaping how the world experiences South Africa, one guest at a time. We’re proud to introduce them.
SIMPHIWE NXULAMO
The Oyster Box
My passion for hospitality comes from my enjoyment of working with people. I enjoy creating memorable and lasting experiences for guests, and it also gives me the opportunity to potentially travel abroad. My role models are mainly people who have built themselves up from nothing, one of these is Linda “Mr Magic” Sibiya.
My long-term goal is to obtain the concierge keys (Les Clefs d’Or), as well as opening an establishment within the industry that is completely eco-friendly, off-grid, and self-sustaining.
I’m attending concierge roadshows, expanding my knowledge across South Africa, not just Durban.
Reading: ‘The Mountain Is You’ by Brianna Wiest
NKANYISO MBATHA
Sala Beach House
Meeting new people every day and learning different cultures made me fall in love with the hospitality industry. My mother is my role model — she is always patient and consistent in her plans and in life.
Being a leader in the near future, and even maybe owning my own hospitality company.
I have gone through hospitality studies, and I’m currently learning as much as I can from all hospitality departments.
Reading: ‘I Choose to Live: The Gugu Zulu Story’ by Letshego Zulu
COLIN MAVUSO
Sun International Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom
Passionate work with people, career growth, and human connection, and always being willing to learn new things inspired me to join hospitality. My role models are Mr. Conrad Hilton, an icon in luxury and service, and Brian Chesky, a visionary in guest experience.
To own a 24/7 concierge service company. I’m already in transportation, and my current job is to recommend places where guests can enjoy and experience different types of destinations around Durban.
I’m reading concierge books and equipping my skills on how to approach guests daily, recommend the best places, and provide memorable and exciting stays.
Reading: ‘The Great Concierge: Full Hospitality Guide and Customer Care Secrets’ by Valerio A. Simula
ASHTON ABDUL
Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, Johannesburg
At college, I was told I am a people’s person, and I took it to heart and did my homework on being a people’s person. My role models are my lecturer and my mom — they always see the potential in me and know my passion.
My long-term goal is to travel the world and inspire all concierge agents to reach for the stars, do their best in the interests of their guests — not only to travel the world, but to become a mentor and empower people to do their best in the concierge and hotel industry. This is also my initiative.
I offer to train students who come to the hotel for their practical hours, as I’ve been at this hotel for a long time and am experienced enough to teach new employees and students.
Reading: ‘Still I Rise’ by Maya Angelou
NKANYISO BUNGANE
Sandton Sun & Towers
I was inspired by my mother dearest, who highlighted my attention to detail and my people skills. My role model isn’t just one individual — a lot of people inspire me as I engage with them and hear their stories, which drives perseverance in all I do and set my mind to, and always staying positive.
My long-term goal is to own a boutique hotel or multiple Airbnbs, running a successful business, engaging with people who are doing this, and doing research.
Engaging with people who are doing this, and doing research.
MARIE LUCKUN
Sun City The Palace of the Lost City
Meeting guests and assisting them. My role model is Deon Prinsloo, a member of the prestigious Les Clefs d’Or (Golden Keys) society and founder of the South African Concierge Forum.
Moving into Mauritius Hotel Industries.
Moving toward Concierge Golden Key (Les Clefs d’Or) status.
CHARLES MOABELO
NH Johannesburg Sandton
What I find very interesting about hospitality work is how I actually help people as we know, we call them guests solving their problems or complaints, making their stay enjoyable and smooth, and meeting different guests on a daily basis, learning from different cultures.
To become head concierge, managing team members and the concierge desk, and also handling VIPs, events, and delivering exceptional service.
To actually get better as a concierge, focusing on local service knowledge.
Reading: ‘Put Yourself in His Place’ by Charles Reade
NICHOLEN GOVENDER
The Vineyard Hotel
My late mother her passion for hospitality and drive for service orientation led me to want to pursue a career within the industry. Unfortunately, her time wasn’t in her favour, and I am now living her dream, and mine.
Long term, I see myself pursuing a Bachelor’s in Business Administration (BBA), as I want to broaden my knowledge within the hospitality industry. I want to see myself, in a few years, as a rooms division manager. I also want to impart knowledge to individuals who want to pursue and experience the industry.
I am securing a space to study further and attain my BBA. I am also seeking training and development to enhance my skills in the financial aspects of hospitality for example, capex forecasting, revenue, and budgets.
Reading: ‘100 Tips for Hoteliers’ by Peter Venison
LANGTON SANYANGA
The Cellars-Hohenort
Passion for working with people and creating memorable experiences. Sylvia Sanyanga is one of my role models — her leadership, professionalism, and dedication to service inspired me to pursue a career in hospitality.
To grow into a leadership role with a strong team, delivering exceptional guest service and experiences. I would want to make an impact through staff development and improving services.
Learning from experienced leaders and gaining hands-on experience.
Reading: ‘Lives of Great Men’ by Chiké Frankie Edozien
KEENAN LUKAS
Southern Sun The Cullinan
I pursued a career in hospitality because I enjoy working with people and creating positive experiences that guests remember long after their stay. Every day brings new challenges. My role models are hospitality leaders and managers who lead by example and treat both guests and employees with respect.
To grow into a leadership position delivering exceptional guest experiences, and to continue learning about hotel operations and customer service. I believe learning should be continuous, not limited to this competition.
I actively develop my skills by seeking feedback from colleagues and managers, and taking hospitality training courses.
Reading: ‘Life of Pi’ by Yann Martel
NCIKAZI TWAZI
Southern Sun Cape Sun
What inspired me to join the tourism and hospitality industry was the desire to create exceptional experiences and meet diverse individuals.
I would love to be part of a project that would uplift locals and conserve the heritage and history we hold in South Africa such as South African National Parks’ Wild Card, and the Grow Our Own Tourism Transformation Fund.
I’m looking to enrol in courses and study, to develop my knowledge in economic and tourism management.
Reading: ‘And When You Pray Tonight’ by Bassett Sana Mukhezzi; and ‘Setting the Table’ by Danny Meyer
SIMONE POTTER
Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel, Cape Town
My mother, Erica, is my role model she worked at Mount Nelson for fourteen years. Having that experience at such a young age, in hotels, afternoon teas, and staying over, I’ve always wanted to be part of the industry, to treat our guests in a classy, pampered, and professional manner.
My goal is to obtain my Clefs d’Or (Golden Keys).
Having a positive mindset, being productive at work, looking up to my head concierge, and being attentive and a helping hand to our guests and my colleagues.
GERARD KNIGHT
Cape Grace, A Fairmont Managed Property
Working on a cruise ship inspired me. My role models are professionals who walked the talk.
My long-term career goal is to publish a book on hospitality.
I’m doing personal study.
LWAZI MCHUNU
The Silo Hotel
Growing up, we travelled during the holidays, and I fell in love with the feeling of experiencing new environments within our country. Today, I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of the industry, creating meaningful relationships while contributing to economic growth through tourism. My role models include Jessica Pohl and Luis Pinheiro.
My long-term career goal is to grow into a concierge role and eventually represent South African tourism on a global scale, in an ambassadorial and relationship-building capacity. I would love to contribute to initiatives such as YES4Youth, specifically helping young people who may not yet have had the opportunity to study further, but who have the attitude and drive to build careers within the hospitality and tourism industry.
JUVILE VISSER
The Oyster Collection
My passion and love for working with people. My role model is Paul Siguqa, owner of Klein Goederust, the first Black-owned wine farm in Franschhoek.
My long-term goal is to grow as a guest house manager, with concierge services becoming my biggest focus. I’d also like to complete courses at the Franschhoek Hospitality Academy to strengthen my knowledge.
I’m continuously developing my skills by gaining hands-on experience in guest relations and concierge services. I also actively seek new responsibilities to grow daily.
Reading: ‘Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect’ by Will Guidara
SANDISIWE HLULANI
TAJ Cape Town
I grew up in the Western Cape. Everyone comes here for Table Mountain and the Winelands, but I perceived how people miss the soul of the city, the hidden sunset spots, the native people and their various cultures. What truly inspired me, and still continues to inspire me, is the frustration of seeing people leave without truly experiencing Cape Town. I became a Concierge because I wanted to bridge the gap between a 5-Star property and the authentic Cape Town that lives outside its doors to curate tailor-made experiences beyond “Google’s best things to do.”
I have carefully observed how so many Asian people give such excellent hospitality. I learned that hospitality in many Asian cultures is strongly influenced by traditions of respect, generosity, family and community. Guests are often treated with great care because welcoming and looking after visitors is considered an important social value. But most importantly for most of them, visitors are their main source of livelihood. I live in a country with a very high unemployment rate, and my short-term goal is to be so good at what I do that other young people like me can see that being a Concierge is a respected global career. My long-term goal is to learn as much as I can from the best, and then show them how it’s done.
Beyond this competition, I am building my skills on three levels: Knowledge, Network and Heart.
Firstly, on Knowledge: on my off days, I visit new places like a guest would, as a means of acquiring knowledge and experience. Secondly, on Network: I am actively shadowing — I have personally asked Concierges with years of experience whom I respect for permission to shadow them and learn how they handle difficult requests. And thirdly, on Heart: at the end of every shift, I write down in my Concierge journal one interaction that moved me, what I did right, the demographic of that particular guest, and how I can regenerate that experience again. Because I believe that a large part of our industry is empathy, and that is a muscle I believe I have to train on a daily basis.
Reading: ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People’ by Dale Carnegie
LUSANDA MANZINI
Queen Victoria Hotel
I find satisfaction in creating memorable experiences for people, and hospitality allows me to combine my skills to not just provide a service, but engage with people in a way that makes them feel valued — more than just a client. My role model is Byron Clayton, not because he’s excellent at what he does, but for his love, passion, and drive.
In hotels, I’d love to be an executive concierge or guest relations manager. In the winery space, my aim is to learn as much as possible, with a goal of one day owning a wine farm or winery, and expanding the culture of wine to my hometown in the Eastern Cape.
I just completed my Level 1 wine course and am currently working on Level 2.
Reading: ‘Let Us Descend’ by Jesmyn Ward
#InterHotelChallenge2026 #UnionTiles #Showcook
