A group of Diploma in Event Management students from the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) who passed the qualifying Southern African Communications Industries Association (SACIA) / Council of Events Professionals Africa (CEPA) exam, were inducted as members of SACIA’s Young Professionals Forum, during Meetings Africa 2025 in February.
The students received their membership certificates, in the presence of Patricia de Lille, Minister of Tourism, Executive Director of SACIA, Kevan Jones and Sthembiso Dlamini, CEO of the Gauteng Tourism Authority.
“This membership serves as an entry-level designation into the events industry and is an excellent achievement for and contribution from our students,” says Dr Lisa Welthagen, senior lecturer at the Department of Tourism Management, Faculty of Management Sciences.
The Southern African Communications Industries Association (SACIA) is a SAQA-recognised professional body, actively involved in the entertainment and communication industry across Southern Africa. It is specifically designed to promote the adoption of professional standards and ethical business practices while furthering the interests of its members through partnership and representation on various issues.
CEPA, a special interest group of SACIA, aims to professionalise the African event management industry by establishing recognised competency standards, providing professional development opportunities and promoting ethical practices. This is achieved through developing and implementing certified event professional designations, along with advancing networking and collaboration among event professionals.
In 2024, Dr Welthagen introduced this first-class initiative, which is expected to continue evolving, with SACIA.