Sthandiwe is a business leader , transaction advisor and strategist based in Durban, South Africa. His consultancy work ranges from Tourism & Hospitality  making approximately 50% business turnover  and in  other fields such as in Policy making environments , corporate governance , business development and organisational development. This constitutes at least another 50 % of other consultancy work in the advisory division. He is one of the  sought-after strategists and advisors  given his diverse experience in  strategy development , business development ,policy development and entrepreneurship. He is also Chairman of Thinking Pair Group ,an investment firm with majority interests in tourism and hospitality industries.  He is  director of a specialised advisory division within the group: Sthandiwe Mkhize Advisory (SMA) . Sthandiwe’s  early exposure  and experience of organised business and corporate governance happened at a young age and as result ,his experience has been sought by many seeking turn-around programmes for their companies or respective organisations.   He’s been credited with assembling  some of the best teams in programme management and implementation of turnaround programmes.

Early Career

• Tourism Transformation , Information & Research Services at Tourism KwaZulu Natal.
• Offices : King Shaka International Airport , Old Durban International Airport , Ushaka Marine World and Durban City Centre

International Travel and Business Development Experience

• London : 2007
• Turkey : 2013
• Amsterdam : 2013 / 2014

Latest Key Consulting  Assignments

• Feasibility Study , Umgababa Adventures , 2022
• Review of Informal Economy Policy , 2022
• Review of Foreign Direct Investment Policy , 2015
• Developing Integrated Cruise Framework Strategy , 2017

Latest Key Tourism Assignments

• Feasibility Study , Beach Walkabout Tours , 2020
• Business Intelligence Advisory Services , 2017 – 2019
• Ulundi Tourism Strategy ,2015
• Socio-Economic Impact Study ,House & Garden Show , 2018
• Needs Analysis for Township Tourism Businesses , 2021
• Africa Travel Market Study, 2021
• Designing and implementing a Capacity Building Programme for Township-Based businesses , 2017 – 2019

Corporate Governance and Leadership Roles

• Chairperson ,Ethekwini Economic Council , Tourism Workstream , 2019 – Current
• Board Chairperson , Durban Coastal and Mental Health , June 2021 – Current
• Deputy Chairperson , South African Tourism and Hospitality Association (SALTHA) ,2022
• Member of Council, Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry , 2016 / 2017
• Chairperson, Centre for Tourism Entrepreneurship (CTE)
• Chairman , Thinking Pair Group