Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu
THE Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Africa 2026, set to convene industry leaders from across the continent next week, has announced its top honours – Vimbai Masiyiwa, co-founder and CEO of Batoka Africa, and Colin Bell, CEO of Natural Selection.
The duo will be celebrated in Nairobi for their exceptional contributions to reshaping African hospitality.
Organised by The Bench, FHS Africa 2026 (March 31 – April 1) will see Masiyiwa, daughter to Zimbabwean billionaire Strive Masiyiwa receive the Leadership Award and Bell the Outstanding Contribution to Hospitality Award. The awards recognise profound individual impact in driving sustainable, community-focused, and globally competitive African tourism.
Masiyiwa is the driving force behind Batoka Africa, Africa’s first black female-owned safari lodge group, which operates luxury tourism properties in Zimbabwe built on strong pillars of conservation, sustainability and community empowerment.
Under her leadership, Batoka Africa has become synonymous with responsible tourism that protects biodiversity while creating tangible economic opportunities for neighbouring communities, championing gender inclusion by advancing women into leadership positions within the tourism sector, and promoting African ownership and global excellence by developing a world-class African brand capable of competing internationally while prioritising local impact and shared value.
“I am deeply honoured to receive the FHS Africa Leadership Award. For us at Batoka Africa, hospitality is about stewardship – of land, culture, and opportunity.
“This recognition reflects the dedication of our teams and the communities we work alongside in Zimbabwe. I look forward to sharing our journey in Nairobi,” Masiyiwa stated.
Renowned conservation tourism leader Neil Bell is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Africa’s safari industry, having played a pivotal role in shaping a model where commercial success is closely tied to environmental stewardship.
Through his leadership at Natural Selection and previously as chief executive of Wilderness Safaris, Bell has helped expand conservation tourism into new territories across Africa, forged strong partnerships with governments and local communities, demonstrated how the hospitality sector can directly fund biodiversity protection while sustaining local livelihoods, and positioned African safari tourism as a global benchmark for sustainable luxury travel.
“I’m deeply grateful for this recognition. Hospitality, at its best, connects guests to wild places meaningfully while safeguarding those places for generations. I look forward to reflecting on that journey in Nairobi,” Bell said.
Both recipients will be honoured during exclusive on-stage interviews at FHS Africa 2026. These sessions promise deep dives into their personal leadership journeys, the milestones achieved, and their visions for the future of African hospitality.
Matthew Weihs, growth director at The Bench, emphasised the significance of their selection: “Vimbai Masiyiwa and Colin Bell are exceptionally worthy winners. Both have redefined leadership in African hospitality – purpose-driven, commercially astute, and deeply committed to community and conservation. We cannot wait to showcase their inspiring stories in Nairobi.”
FHS Africa 2026 will gather hospitality investors, owners, operators, and leaders from across Africa and beyond for two days of strategic discussion, high-level networking, and celebration. The recognition of Masiyiwa and Bell underscores the summit’s commitment to highlighting models that combine profitability with profound positive impact – models essential for the continent’s sustainable tourism growth.
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