Clevenard to Honour South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Tourism, Makhotso Magdeline “Maggie” Sotyu, at the Clevenard Open Project 2026 and Clevenard Global Awards in Alicante, Spain

Alicante, Spain — Clevenard SL is delighted to announce that Hon. Makhotso Magdeline “Maggie” Sotyu, Deputy Minister of Tourism of the Republic of South Africa, will receive a prestigious Clevenard Honorary Award at the Clevenard Open Project 2026 – 5th Edition, taking place from 27–30 August 2026 at the renowned Palacio de Congresos Alicante, Spain.

The distinguished recognition will be presented during the Clevenard Global Awards – 3rd Edition 2026 on Sunday, 30 August 2026, the grand finale of the four-day international forum. Held alongside the International Fashion Runway, the awards ceremony celebrates visionary leaders, policymakers, innovators, and changemakers whose contributions have created lasting impact across nations and generations.

As one of Africa’s most respected public servants and tourism advocates, Deputy Minister Sotyu is being recognised for her exceptional leadership, dedication to sustainable tourism development, youth empowerment, women's economic inclusion, and her commitment to advancing tourism as a catalyst for economic growth and international cooperation.

Keynote Addresses

In addition to receiving this distinguished honour, Deputy Minister Sotyu will deliver keynote addresses on Day 1 (27 August 2026) and Day 3 (29 August 2026) of the forum. Her presentations will focus on tourism development, economic transformation, youth empowerment, international partnerships, and the role of tourism in driving inclusive and sustainable prosperity.

Her participation is expected to be one of the highlights of the event, attracting policymakers, investors, tourism professionals, entrepreneurs, academics, creatives, diplomats, and international delegates from Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, and beyond.

Why Deputy Minister Sotyu is Being Honoured

Deputy Minister Makhotso Magdeline “Maggie” Sotyu is being honoured not only for her distinguished public service career, but also for her remarkable contribution to tourism development, youth empowerment, and international cooperation.

Through her visionary leadership, she has championed tourism as a strategic driver of economic growth, job creation, community development, and social inclusion, ensuring that tourism creates opportunities for people at every level of society.

The Clevenard Honorary Award recognises her unwavering commitment to empowering young people through employment creation, entrepreneurship, skills development, and leadership opportunities within the tourism sector. Her advocacy has inspired a new generation of tourism professionals, innovators, and entrepreneurs across South Africa while promoting tourism as a pathway to sustainable livelihoods and economic transformation.

Deputy Minister Sotyu has also played a vital role in strengthening collaboration between government institutions, ambassadors, diplomatic missions, international organisations, investors, and private-sector stakeholders to promote South Africa as a world-class tourism destination. Through these strategic partnerships, she has advanced international tourism cooperation, attracted investment opportunities, encouraged cultural exchange, and fostered meaningful relationships that contribute to sustainable development and shared prosperity.

Her ability to unite governments, tourism authorities, development partners, educational institutions, business leaders, and community stakeholders has established her as a respected advocate for international engagement and inclusive growth. Her work continues to create opportunities for young people, women, local communities, and emerging entrepreneurs while enhancing South Africa’s standing within the global tourism community.

Clevenard believes that Deputy Minister Sotyu deserves global recognition for her exceptional dedication to tourism development, youth empowerment, women's economic participation, and international partnership building. Her leadership, integrity, and commitment to creating opportunities for future generations embody the values of excellence, service, and global impact that the Clevenard Global Awards seeks to celebrate.

As a distinguished leader and advocate for sustainable development, she continues to inspire governments, institutions, and communities around the world, demonstrating how tourism can be harnessed as a powerful force for economic prosperity, cultural understanding, international cooperation, and human development.

A Distinguished Career in Public Service

Deputy Minister Makhotso Magdeline Sotyu is a seasoned South African political leader and dedicated public servant with more than 25 years of parliamentary and government experience.

Since becoming a Member of Parliament in 1999, she has served in several senior leadership positions within the Government of South Africa, including:

• Deputy Minister of Police (2010–2017)
• Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture (2017–2019)
• Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (2019–2024)
• Deputy Minister of Tourism (2024–Present)

Throughout her distinguished career, she has chaired and served on key parliamentary committees responsible for governance, safety and security, environmental affairs, and national development.

As Deputy Minister of Tourism, she has championed policies and initiatives that position tourism as a powerful engine for economic growth, job creation, social inclusion, and community development. Her work promotes sustainable tourism, investment attraction, tourism safety, transformation, and community-based tourism initiatives that benefit rural and township communities throughout South Africa.

A passionate advocate for youth empowerment, she has consistently encouraged young people to pursue opportunities in tourism, hospitality, gastronomy, culinary arts, innovation, and entrepreneurship. She continues to advocate for stronger collaboration between governments, educational institutions, and the private sector to develop future tourism leaders and create sustainable employment opportunities.

Deputy Minister Sotyu is equally committed to advancing women's economic empowerment and increasing the participation of women and youth throughout the tourism value chain through enterprise development, leadership opportunities, and business ownership.

On the international stage, she represents South Africa in bilateral and multilateral tourism engagements, strengthening international cooperation, attracting investment, and promoting South Africa as a premier global tourism destination.

Her academic achievements include an Advanced Diploma in Economic Policy from the University of the Western Cape, complemented by professional certifications in Media Handling and Research, Sustainable Development, and Population and Development from respected institutions across Southern Africa.

Recognised for her integrity, visionary leadership, and unwavering commitment to public service, Deputy Minister Sotyu continues to inspire positive change and remains one of South Africa’s leading voices in tourism development and nation-building.

Clevenard Leadership Statement

“Deputy Minister Makhotso Magdeline Sotyu exemplifies the transformative leadership that the Clevenard Global Awards seeks to celebrate. Her dedication to empowering communities, advancing sustainable tourism, supporting youth and women, and building international partnerships reflects the values of innovation, inclusion, and global cooperation that define the Clevenard vision. We are honoured to welcome her to Alicante and recognise her outstanding contribution to tourism and public service.”

About the Clevenard Open Project 2026

The Clevenard Open Project 2026 – 5th Edition is a premier international forum themed:

“A Global Celebration of Business, Culture, Creativity & Human Connection”

The four-day event will bring together government leaders, diplomats, investors, entrepreneurs, business executives, academics, creatives, cultural ambassadors, tourism stakeholders, and development partners from around the world to foster dialogue, collaboration, investment, and sustainable development.

Event Programme

• Day 1 – 27 August 2026

Global Authors' Recognition & Education Summit

• Day 2 – 28 August 2026

Global Economy, Trade, Solid Minerals, Agriculture & Investment Summit

• Day 3 – 29 August 2026

Global Tourism & International Film Celebration

• Day 4 – 30 August 2026

Clevenard Global Awards – 3rd Edition 2026 & International Fashion Runway

Event Details

• Dates: 27–30 August 2026
• Venue: Palacio de Congresos Alicante, Avinguda de Dénia 47–49, 03013 Alicante, Spain

Media & Partnership Enquiries

Clevenard SL

• Phone: +34 631 279 811 | +34 672 93 12 16
• Website: www.clevenard.com
• NIF: B75809574

About Clevenard

Clevenard is a global platform dedicated to connecting people, cultures, businesses, and opportunities worldwide. Through media, technology, international events, and strategic partnerships, Clevenard empowers individuals, amplifies voices, promotes cultural exchange, and drives economic development across continents.

Mission: Connecting the world, amplifying voices, and creating opportunities that transform lives.

Categoria:

Comunicado de imprensa 

Organização:

Clevenard

Escrito por:

Tolu Osindero

Telefone:

+34 672 93 12 16