She received the Pride of Tzaneen award at the chamber’s annual awards function, which was sponsored by Absa Tzaneen at Hotel@Tzaneen on Tuesday evening, March 19. Kruger attended the event with her team from Tzaneen Country Lodge, OK Tarentaalrand, SA Homes, and Mangela Tea Garden. “In 2000 she started what was supposed to be a four-bedroom guesthouse and turned it into a four-star 61-bedroom full-service hotel, with a restaurant, bar, spa, and wellness centre as well as a convention centre.

“To top it off she is also the owner of a filling station, liquor store, retail store, and tea garden. Today she employs over 200 people. From the first day of opening the guesthouse, it was decided that she would have to be the best. Her priority is and always has been to empower her staff,” said Donovan Lewis, chairman of the chamber while introducing her at the awards ceremony. “Her dedication and innovation have earned her numerous awards and accolades in the hospitality industry.

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She is recognised for her outstanding leadership, business acumen, and commitment to sustainability. She is renowned for her exceptional contributions to the hospitality industry, with a passion for creating unforgettable guest experiences and a keen eye for innovative business strategies. She has made a significant impact in the tourism industry in South Africa for the past 24 years,” said Lewis.

She has a BA (Hons) Th degree and an Honorary Doctor’s Degree in Business Administration and is a Vital Voices Fellow for Women in Leadership. In 2005 she became the first female chairperson of the chamber and in 2007 she became part of the leaders in tourism as chairperson of the Southern African Tourism Services Association Limpopo.

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She has also served as a board member for the Limpopo Tourism Agency, Van Velden Hospital, and TOMSA and served on the SKAL International board’s committee for sustainability and is still a SKAL member today. She is currently serving as the country manager for the Pyne Awards Africa and has also represented the African Tourism Board on occasions. Together with that, she is a member of the Africa Indigenous Leaders group and a member of the IWDC. She has made a significant impact in rural communities through her various initiatives.

“In addition to her community work, she has also been a strong advocate for supporting tourism in rural areas. Through her efforts, she helped to create opportunities for local businesses and entrepreneurs, contributing to the overall prosperity of our district. “Her latest accomplishment is the International Institute for Peace through Tourism’s Celebrating Her Award at the ITB Berlin earlier this month. It is here that she was acknowledged on a global platform for her commitment to sustainable tourism,” Lewis said.