Organisers of the inaugural Africa Golf Tourism Convention (AGTC) 2026 have unveiled the first batch of speakers expected to headline the landmark event scheduled for Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, South Africa.

The four-day convention, set for August 18 to 21, 2026, aims to create a unified marketplace connecting Africa’s golf, tourism, hospitality and trade sectors while positioning the continent as a competitive destination for high-value sports tourism.

The speaker line-up brings together senior public officials, tourism executives, hospitality professionals, business leaders and sports personalities from across Africa and beyond.

Among those confirmed are Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Gauteng Tourism Authority, Crezelda Venter; Chief Destination Marketing Evangelist at Visit Gauteng, Barba Gaoganediwe; Head of the Gauteng Convention & Event Bureau, Nonnie Kubeka; and Global President of Circle of Global Business Women, Dr Sindiswa Mzamo.

The convention will also feature commercial and international voices including Peter Tshidi, Director of Medium and Small Properties at Sun International; António Louro, Executive Director of Mangais Golf Resort in Angola; Joaquin Valverde, General Manager of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce South Africa; and Sadiq Dindar, Founder of AfriLuxe Tourism Advisory Services.

Other speakers include Gauteng Tour Operators Association President Victor Sibeko, Founder and President of the Chamber of Business and Tourism Dr Tebogo Mokope Modjadji, television sports presenter OG Molefe, golf lifestyle entrepreneur Innocentia Motau and wellness advocate Sonia Booth.

Founder and Convention Director of AGTC, Neo Peete, said the selected speakers reflect the convention’s ambition to provide strategic insights into Africa’s tourism and hospitality landscape.

“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,” he said.

Mr Peete added that the event would provide delegates and exhibitors with practical approaches to developing sports tourism assets, expanding cross-border trade and creating new commercial opportunities.

Co-founder and Exhibitions Director of AGTC, Gisele Masengo, said the convention provides a platform for tourism operators and golf-related businesses to connect directly with international buyers.

“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,” she said.

She encouraged destination management companies, hotel groups, golf resorts and sports apparel brands to register for exhibition spaces and trade passes.

The first three days of AGTC 2026 will feature keynote sessions, business-to-business meetings, destination showcases, exhibitions and networking engagements involving tourism authorities, airlines, investors, golf industry leaders and international media.

The convention will conclude with a championship golf day at Serengeti Estate, one of South Africa’s leading golfing destinations, where delegates will experience the link between golf, hospitality and business tourism.

Organisers say the event is expected to strengthen Africa’s participation in the global golf tourism economy while creating new partnerships across the continent’s travel and leisure sectors.