Organisers of the inaugural Africa Golf Tourism Convention (AGTC) 2026 have formally announced the first batch of speaker line-up set to address the landmark business event, taking place from 18 to 21 August 2026 in the City of Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, South Africa.
The announcement marks a significant milestone in the build-up to the convention, which aims to integrate Africa’s fragmented sports, travel, and trade sectors into a unified, high-yield marketplace. The roster brings together senior public sector leaders, hospitality executives, destination marketing pioneers, sports personalities, and international trade leaders.
Among the featured speakers heading to Ekurhuleni are Crezelda Venter (Acting CEO, Gauteng Tourism Authority), Barba Gaoganediwe (Chief Destination Marketing Evangelist, Visit Gauteng), Nonnie Kubeka (Head, Gauteng Convention & Event Bureau), and Dr. Sindiswa Mzamo (Global President, Circle of Global Business Women).
The faculty also incorporates key commercial and international perspectives, including Peter Tshidi (Director: Medium and Small Properties, Sun International), António Louro (Executive Director, Mangais Golf Resort, Angola), Joaquin Valverde (General Manager, Spanish Chamber of Commerce South Africa), Sadiq Dindar (Owner & Founder, AfriLuxeTourism Advisory Services), Victor Sibeko (President, Gauteng Tour Operators Association), and Dr. Tebogo Mokope Modjadji (Founder & President, Chamber of Business and Tourism).
Rounding out the multi-disciplinary panels are television sports presenter OG Molefe, Patrick Makamure (Director, Golf Africa Safari Ireland), golf lifestyle entrepreneur Innocentia Motau (Founder, ITU Golfwear), and Sonia Booth (Author, Serial Entrepreneur, and Wellness Advocate).
Reflecting on the curated faculty, Neo Peete, Founder and Convention Director of AGTC, emphasised the strategic depth assembled for the proceedings later this month.
“Our objective from inception was to assemble a faculty of genuine change-makers who possess deep operational and strategic insights into Africa’s tourism, trade and hospitality dynamics,” stated Peete. “These speakers bring an unparalleled depth of market knowledge, policy influence, and commercial expertise. Through adroit interactions with our panellists, delegates, exhibitors, and hosted buyers will gain actionable frameworks to unlock cross-border trade, structure high-value sports tourism assets, and capitalize on direct B2B matchmaking across Africa and beyond.”
In parallel with the speaker announcement, organisers issued an urgent call to action for operators across the tourism, leisure, and golf value chain to register for exhibition space and trade passes at www.agtc.africa.
Gisele Masengo, Co-founder and Exhibitions Director of AGTC, underscored the immediate commercial imperative for product owners to showcase their offerings to the arriving trade delegation:
“Africa represents one of the most promising frontiers for luxury sports travel, yet sellers of golf and tourism products have lacked a dedicated platform to present their offerings directly to qualified buyers,” said Masengo.
“We strongly urge all destination management companies, hotel groups, golf resorts, and sports apparel vendors to secure their exhibition booths immediately. Exhibiting at AGTC 2026 offers direct access to pre-vetted international hosted buyers, guaranteed B2B speed-networking slots, and maximum brand visibility before an influential trade audience.”
The first three days of AGTC will bring together tourism authorities, ministers, destination marketing organisations, airlines, golf industry leaders, investors, hospitality executives, tour operators, hosted buyers, and international media to explore new opportunities for collaboration and growth. The programme will feature keynote sessions, strategic B2B meetings, destination showcases, exhibitions, and networking engagements focused on strengthening Africa’s position within the global golf tourism economy.
The experience extends beyond the conference halls. On the final day, delegates will take part in a championship golf day at Serengeti Estate, one of South Africa’s premier golfing destinations, demonstrating how championship golf, exceptional hospitality, and business tourism can work together to create memorable visitor experiences and attract high-value travellers.
