Cape Town ICC CEO Taubie Motlhabane talks to Paul Colston about her career.
Taubie Mothlabane, CEO, Cape Town ICCWomen were very influential in shaping your character, right?
My mom was my first role model. As a schoolteacher, she was passionate about education – this is why I believe in life-long learning. She instilled in my sisters and me the value of independence and helped us believe that we could achieve our dreams if we remained focused and worked hard. Mom was also a disciplinarian, so we were clear about our boundaries.
How did you come into the meetings industry?
I began my journey at the South African Reserve Bank as the manager: Protocol & Conferences. My team was responsible for all the Bank’s conferences and events, as well as managing the Bank’s conference centre. From there I worked in corporate, managing incentive and marketing events.
Then I joined South African Tourism as business tourism manager which fuelled my passion for showcasing destinations and highlighted the transformative power of business events. I further honed my expertise internationally as events and marketing manager at the City Centre Hotel in Bahrain. Additionally, I held the role of executive director of the Tshwane CVB in Pretoria.
This foundation prepared me for my current role of CEO of the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). With a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from North-West University and a Master’s Degree in Global Marketing from the University of Liverpool – where my research focused on convention and visitor bureaus – I developed a deep interest in the potential of business events to drive economic growth and global connections.
What have been the strategies that have enabled you to get to the top of your profession?
Collaboration is a key ingredient to success. We don’t exist in isolation. The more we work together with our partners to find solutions, the stronger we are.
It is about building win-win solutions. It must be about the team. It can never be about any single individual. My success mantra has always been rooted in maintaining a positive mindset, even when challenges seem insurmountable.
How does CTICC help develop its female staff for leadership?
The representation of women in leadership roles in South Africa has been evolving, driven by legislative frameworks emphasising gender diversity and inclusivity. At the CTICC, women hold senior roles. Studies show that companies with diverse teams are more innovative, make better decisions, and perform better financially.
Who do you consider to be an influential mentor in your career?
I’ve had many amazing people cross my path during the course of my career and had the privilege of learning from some of the best. The late Mr Tito Mboweni, former governor of the South African Reserve Bank and former minister of finance, was one such mentor. He helped me appreciate the power of ethical conduct and good governance practices in business and to lead by good example.
Mr Deon Cloete, the immediate past chairman of the CTICC Board, has taught me how to lead from the heart and be brave enough to dream big. I have learnt so much from many leaders in the industry and still have a lot to learn.
