Nomtha Twala is general manager of The Alexander Estate in Noordhoek, bringing experience from leading hospitality roles at Cape luxury properties, including Delaire Graff Estate and Camissa House, to the family-owned vineyard destination.
Source: Supplied | Nomtha Twala, General Manager, The Alexander Estate
Twala joined The Alexander Estate in June 2026, taking the helm as the property prepares for a busy season and its next stage of development.
Her previous roles include duty manager at Delaire Graff Estate, where she worked across luxury accommodation, dining and guest experience, and house manager at Camissa House, where she was responsible for the daily operations of the boutique hotel.
Situated in Noordhoek, The Alexander Estate is a family-owned vineyard destination comprising The Alexander Manor House, The Owner's Vineyard Villa and a secluded Penthouse Suite, alongside its working vineyard.
Twala's appointment comes as the Estate builds on its offering and prepares to welcome local and international travellers during the season ahead.
For Women's Month, Bizcommunity caught up with Twala about her career, stepping into general management, women in hospitality, leadership and the future of The Alexander Estate.
1. You’ve worked at properties including Delaire Graff Estate and Camissa House before joining The Alexander Estate. What first drew you to hospitality, and what has kept you passionate about the industry?
What drew me to hospitality was the opportunity to work with people and create experiences that stay with them. I love welcoming guests and creating a sense of genuine warmth, whereby, by the time they leave, they feel less like visitors and more like they have found a place they can return to.
That is what makes The Alexander Estate so special. When our guests leave, it never really feels like goodbye; it feels like, “see you again soon”.
What keeps me passionate is knowing that, together as a team, we have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in someone’s stay. It is about the small details, genuine connections, and thoughtful moments that come together to create an experience guests remember long after they have left.
2. You’ve recently stepped into your first general manager role. How has the experience been different from what you expected?
Stepping into my first general manager role has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding. It has given me a much broader perspective of the business and taught me the importance of making difficult decisions, taking responsibility, and leading by example.
One of the biggest lessons has been learning to truly take ownership — not only of my role, but of the property, the team and the guest experience. I have also learnt to trust my judgement and be decisive, while understanding that being a good leader does not mean having all the answers. It means knowing when to confidently rely on the strengths and expertise of the team around me.
What surprised me most was the scale of the responsibility and how involved I would be in decisions across every part of the Estate. It is incredibly rewarding to know that the decisions we make can positively shape the property, strengthen the team, and ultimately create an even better experience for our guests.
3. As a woman building a career in hospitality, how has your experience shaped the way you approach leadership?
My journey has taught me that leadership is about far more than a title. It is reflected in how you treat people, how you navigate challenges, and the example you set for those around you.
As a woman in hospitality, I have learnt the importance of having confidence in my abilities while remaining approachable and empathetic. I believe you can set high standards and hold people accountable while still leading with kindness and understanding.
My approach is to listen to my team, understand their individual strengths and create an environment where people feel supported to grow. For me, strong leadership is about bringing out the best in those around you while working together towards a shared standard of excellence.
4. What do you think needs to change within hospitality to create more opportunities for women to reach senior leadership?
I think creating more opportunities for women in senior leadership starts with recognising potential and giving women the opportunity to grow into those roles. Mentorship, development and exposure to different areas of the business are incredibly important, particularly for women who may not yet see themselves represented at a senior level.
Hospitality also needs to create environments where women can lead authentically, without feeling that they need to change who they are to be taken seriously. Leadership can look different from person to person, and qualities such as empathy, collaboration and kindness can exist alongside confidence, decisiveness and high standards.
Ultimately, it is about creating a culture where talented people are supported, trusted and allowed to step forward and lead.
5. Looking back on your career, is there someone whose guidance or example has had a lasting impact on you?
I have been fortunate to have several mentors throughout my career, with each property and each leader teaching me something different. Some have taught me the importance of discipline, consistency, and maintaining high standards, while others have shown me the value of empathy, understanding, and leading by example.
I have taken something valuable from each of those experiences and adapted those lessons to shape my own leadership style. I think that is an important part of growth — learning from the people around you while still finding an approach to leadership that feels authentic to who you are.
6. The Alexander Estate is entering an important new phase. What are your priorities for the property as it heads into the season ahead?
For me, the focus is on three things: our people, our standards, and the guest experience. The Alexander Estate has a very special offering, and it is my responsibility to ensure that every aspect of our operations and every interaction with our team reflects the level of luxury, care, and genuine love we have for the property.
We are focused on strengthening the team, continually refining our operational standards and, most importantly, paying attention to the small details that make The Alexander Estate what it is. It is those thoughtful, personal touches that ultimately shape the experience our guests remember.
7. Having worked in some of the Cape’s leading luxury hospitality environments, what do you believe sets an exceptional guest experience apart?
What sets an exceptional guest experience apart is ultimately how you make people feel. You can have a beautiful property, incredible views, and exceptional facilities, but true hospitality goes beyond the physical offering.
For me, it is about anticipating a guest’s needs, remembering the small details and creating genuine connections. Every guest should feel recognised as an individual rather than simply someone staying at the property.
The best service never feels forced or scripted; it feels natural, thoughtful and personal. At its heart, exceptional hospitality is simply about genuinely caring.
8. What is the one piece of advice you would most like to give a young woman starting out in hospitality today?
My advice would be to believe in yourself. I know it sounds cliché, but confidence in your own abilities is so important. At the same time, always be willing to learn. Don’t be afraid to start at the bottom, make mistakes, ask questions, and learn from the people around you.
I also think it is important to know when to stand your ground. Don’t be afraid to speak up, challenge something when necessary, and make sure your voice is heard. You have just as much right to be in the room as anyone else, and your perspective carries just as much value.
Respect is earned through how you show up, how you treat people, and the confidence you have in what you bring to the table.
