Lynette Ntuli

A commerce graduate, Lynette has previously held positions at Deloitte and Touché, Motseng Marriott Corporate Property, Motseng Property Services and the Durban Business Enhancement Initiative in various senior leadership roles in the commercial and retail property sector and in the business development and investment promotion arena.
Lynette has been well profiled for her executive positions, amongst them becoming the first black woman in South Africa to become GM of a super regional shopping centre (The Pavilion) and CEO of the Durban Business Enhancement Initiative; a business development initiative; created by the private business fraternity to leverage the organisational capacity of the private and public sector with the intention to facilitate growth, national and international trade activity and sustainability within the priority sectors of the economy including Infrastructure Development and Planning; Manufacturing; the Ports; Commodities and Catalytic Developments. She has come away from her experiences with a track record in property management and development, exposure to Corporate Affairs; Governance; Operations and Talent Management, retail development, strategy development and implementation; business and trade development, international business and in depth economic knowledge; project management skills and a vast knowledge of the regulatory environment that governs commercial activities. In addition to her experience and her bachelor's degree; she also holds a Certificate in Shopping Centre Management (CSCM) and an Advanced Certificate in Shopping Centre Leadership (ACSCL) from the University of Pretoria.
Passionate about development and leadership, Lynette is a Founding Director and Chairman of IgniteSA.com and a nationally and internationally recognised professional speaker on a large variety of business and socio economic subjects. Awards and accolades received include the Fun Fearless Female Award 2008 Cosmopolitan Magazine (Associated Magazines SA – December 2008); "Woman to Watch" Destiny Magazine (Ndalo Media – June 2009); "Under 30 and on Top Feature" O Magazine (The Oprah Magazine – April 2009), the Mail and Guardian's 200 Young South Africans 2012 Award and she has been featured in the 2012 Power of 40 – Destiny Magazine (November 2012). She is also an October 2012 Klipdrift Gold Award winner in recognition of her achievements and commitment to excellence. Lynette is a member of the World Economic Forum community as a Global Shaper and Founding Curator of a South African hub. Lynette is actively involved at an executive and member level within various organisations including the Business Women's Association (Vice Chair – KZN), International Women's Forum (IWFSA) (Executive Roundtable 2010 and Young Leaders Connect), Women's Property Network (WPN) (Developed the Mentorship Portfolio 2007-2012), Institute of Directors SA (IODSA), South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA) and the South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC). She has served as a SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise/ Enactus) National and World Cup Final Round Judge (Malaysia 2011); Retail Development and Design Awards 2009 Judge; a Green Building Council of S.A Technical Working Committee member for the development of the Retail Green Star Tool and a South African Council of Shopping Centres (SACSC) KZN Committee Member.
Lynette Ntuli has had a long speaking career; displaying impressive communication and presentation at a very early age. By the age of 16; not only had she already held leadership positions such as Head Girl; President of the SRC; Academic Honours and many other cultural and sporting accolodaes but she had also successfully attained Provincial (Kwazulu-Natal) colours and school (Maris Stella School; Durban) honours for Debating and Public Speaking. At university level; she served as a LoveLife Debating facilitator and tutor.
Lynette has gone on to achieve and climb her destined career path successfully; and has spoken at a wide number of local; national and international forums; events and symposiums on a variety of subjects – Leadership; Business Development; Property, Asset and Infrastructure Development; Retail and Consumer Dynamics; Strategic Trade Development; African economics and markets; Emerging Business Trends and Markets; Women and Youth Empowerment subjects; International Trade; Social Entrepreneurship; Personal Development and Branding subjects; Priority Sectors and Commercial Activities. Her passion is Development: of People; Business; the Economy and South Africa and her subjects have largely revolved around these issues. A proficient; articulate and professional MC; she brings class; a touch of glamour and rich content to any programme she directs. She has spoken before Presidents and Ministers; captains of industry; academia; economic sector; cultural and social groups; women; the youth; aspirant professionals and audiences in rural; township and untapped areas. She is proficient in English and in vernacular; thus widening her appeal. ADDED VALUE: In addition to delivering content; Lynette leverages her business experience and networks to add value to your event; conference; seminar and strategic interventions in the following ways:
 Event and Programme Content Development
 Sourcing and Coordination of High Profile Speakers and Panellists
 Facilitation Services for Panel Discussions; Strategy Sessions and Conventions
 Business Development and Strategic Consulting
 Programme Direction and Management (MC)
REFERENCES
Lynette and I met through the Global Sports Industry Congress and worked together to bring an understanding of the international relations and the dynamics of the Olympic Movement to South African and Durban based stakeholders prior to the 2011 IOC Session and the opening of the 2020 Olympic race in which Durban, South Africa, had intended to participate. Lynette was very professional and insightful in all my dealings with her throughout the conference. In particular Lynette demonstrated excellent organisational skills aligned to strong verbal communications skills in a complex and demanding environment and I have no hesitation in recommending Lynette as a leader, organiser, speaker or facilitator. Jon Tibbs CEO, JTA Ltd (United Kingdom)
"I worked with Lynette at the IgniteSA conference in Durban in 2011 and was extremely impressed at her calm, confident abilities throughout the conference. Lynette is well-spoken, highly intelligent and a natural leader. She is also a great facilitator and handled the panel sessions with alarming ease and skill. I would recommend Lynette on multiple levels; as an organisational leader, as a manager, as a speaker and as a facilitator." Thabang Skwambane Founder & Chairman The Lonely Road Foundation (South Africa)
"Lynette is both charming and highly efficient. My interactions with Lynette were always enjoyable, and made all the more so by the effectiveness she brought to her role – a very smart lady with her finger on the pulse." David Lake Former MD: Rothschild South Africa and Director: Lake Solutions
"Lynette was part of a syndicate that booked me to facilitate their conference. Her approach and manner was extremely professional. She delivered a consistent high quality of work – would recommendation Lynette without reservation." Vusi Thembekwayo Acclaimed Motivational Speaker and Managing Director at MOTIV8 Advisory
"Ms Lynette Ntuli kindly honoured the Ukukhanya Development Trust as our Programme Director for our official launch evening held at the Hilton Hotel in Durban on the 17th of November 2011. She did a sterling job of managing the programme, as well as in directing the flow of evening. Lynette is an intelligent, capable, dedicated, and charming young woman. She is swift on her feet, with sensible reactions in all unsuspecting circumstances. I feel confident in expressing that she is capable of managing most situations with thoughtfulness and maturity. Given the above, I am assured in recommending Lynette's services as an MC or as a Programme Director. She is not only thorough, but also exceptionally easy to work with, and always willing to take the time to discuss concerns and to respond to questions." Akhona Mahlati Executive Principal Strategist; Ewe Sana! (South Africa)
"On behalf of ILembe District, Department of Basic Education, we would like to convey our greatest appreciation for the positive contribution you made to our One Hundred girls and Twenty Educators who attended our Valued Citizen, INSPIRE leadership camp from the 30th of November to the 3rd of December 2011. Your presentation made an impact that will remain for a long time to come in the lives of the INSPIRE girls. You did not just inspire 100 girls, but the whole population of the 10 schools that are part of the programme and 50 schools that are going to join the programme in 2012. The trained 100 girls will be mentoring and leading the girls from the other 50 new schools in the programme. With the contribution of the people of your caliber, our country stands to benefit a lot" Linda Ntuli Senior Education Specialist: Youth and Gender Development ILembe District – Department of Education (Kwazulu Natal)
"The Businesswomen's Association Durban Branch would like to thank you for your outstanding delivery of service at our Year End Breakfast Celebration on Friday 2nd December 2011 at Coastlands Hotel in Umhlanga as Programme Director, your assistance in ensuring the high calibre of the event is greatly appreciated. " Farzanah Mall Partner: KPMG Durban and BWA Durban Chairman
"I moderated the opening panel discussion at the Seatrade Africa Cruise Forum in May 2011 in which Lynette Ntuli was a speaker and can confirm that her presentation was clear and authoritative and that she was a valuable contributor to the discussions that followed where fellow panellists, consisting of cruise line and port officials, joined in the debate. Please see below an article which appeared on Seatrade Insider covering the opening debate." Africa: the last and new cruise frontier May, 11th 2011
Over 180 participants from 15 countries gathered today in Durban for the first Seatrade Africa Cruise Forum. In setting the scene Seatrade Insider editor Mary Bond spoke of the opportunities and challenges for the region: 'Africa's cruise map is changing as more lines tap into the massive potential that exists around the continent.' "Not only the last frontier but also a new frontier' is how Lynette Ntuli, CEO of the Durban Business Enhancement Initiative, described the opportunity to grow cruise tourism. Established last year by the private business fraternity, Durban Invest's intention is to work with the public and private sectors to facilitate growth, activity and sustainability in various target sectors including ports and tourism." Mary Bond Editor: Seatrade Cruise Review & Seatrade Insider Seatrade Communications Ltd (United Kingdom)
"Lynette Ntuli addressed an audience of nearly 100 KZN women entrepreneurs in Nov 2011 at the Durban Chamber. Her topic was "The Power of Networking". Lynette's quiet personal confidence, vast business experience, and beautifully modulated speaking voice made her an outstanding choice. It is not often one finds someone who offers poise and presence with excellent content. Lynette however is just such a speaker and as event coordinator that day, I found her a delight to deal with. Without hesitation, I would recommend Lynette as a speaker for any top calibre audience." Ingrid Roberts Professional Speaker, MC and Event Co Ordinator