A South African in Ireland: MBA Journey and Tourism Insights
Saturday, 14th September 2024
Nkosiphendule Ngcoza, born and raised in Makhanda, South Africa, is now pursuing an MBA in Dublin, Ireland. With a deep-rooted passion for development, Mbasa reflects on his hometown: “Makhanda is a hub that you can get everything on… you don’t appreciate it until you leave. You have your higher education here, local economy, and your Private Game Reserves.”
His thesis on tourism was inspired by early experiences during the National Arts Festival (NAF), first working as a car guard and later as a waiter. “I was able to see how this industry is working and the dynamics,”Nkosiphendule shares, emphasizing the importance of asking the right questions in research.
As a "delusional optimist," Nkosiphendule explains, “I know that the cup is empty, but we can get water… I love when things don’t make sense, but the fact that things exist, they ought to be a reason or answer why."
On life in Ireland, Mbasa finds it both exciting and frustrating: “It made me realize that we could have the same if we had systems… it makes me appreciate home more because we are a very happy nation.”
Regarding local tourism, Nkosiphendule Ngcoza believes in the need for a stronger identity: “We need to know the Makhanda product, we need to then decide what is our brand.”
