Tony Balabanoff, City Lodge Hotels Divisional Director of Operations, retired on June 30 after 47 years in hospitality and 39 years at City Lodge Hotels.
Balbanoff served as GM of three hotels, opened 16 new properties and led operations across 47 of the group’s 58 hotels. He also co-founded the Housekeepers Association of Southern Africa to promote local talent and received the University of Johannesburg’s School of Tourism and Hospitality Golden Circle Alumnus Award in 2013.
Recently, he received the South African Chefs Association President’s Award from James Khoza.
Andrew Widegger, CEO of City Lodge Hotels, said: “On behalf of City Lodge Hotels, we extend our deepest appreciation to Tony for his decades of exceptional service, inspirational leadership and unwavering dedication. Tony’s legacy is deeply woven into the fabric of our business. His influence can be seen in the culture he helped build, the standards he set and the many lives he touched along the way. We are grateful for the immeasurable contribution he has made to the group and wish him all the very best in his well-earned retirement.”
New Head of Sales at Singita
Singita has promoted Marcelo Novais to Head of Sales. Novais joined Singita in 2024 in the role of International Sales Manager. With over two decades of experience in the travel industry, his expertise spans inbound and outbound operations, sales, product development, marketing and business development.
Novais says: “I’m excited and grateful to step into a new role at Singita. It’s a true privilege to continue working with such an inspiring brand and a passionate team. I look forward to working closely with our valued trade partners, learning, growing and contributing to Singita’s purpose.”
New Chairperson for Air Botswana Board of Directors
Dane Kondić has been elected as Chairperson of Air Botswana’s Board of Directors in addition to his position as Chairperson of the Management Committee of Mozambique’s state airline LAM.
Kondić has 35 years of experience in civil aviation, including his previous roles as CEO and Chairperson of Air Serbia between 2013 and 2018. He has held leadership roles at Euro Atlantic, Qantas, Malaysia Airlines, Sabre Airline Solutions, Abacus International, GTA (Travelport) and Kuoni Travel (China). Additional new members of the Air Botswana Board of Directors include:
- Adelaide Selolwane as Vice Chairperson and Chair of the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee
- Demetrios Bradshaw as Chair of the Business Development Committee
- Agnes Mothobi as Chair of the Human Resource Committee
- Clement Nsimbi as Chair of the Quality, Safety and Security Committee
- Mbaki Ngaiti as a Board member
- Leungo N Rasebotsa as CEO
- Moyombuya Ngubula as Director of Legal Services and Board Secretary
