FROM INTERN TO LEADER: THREE WOMEN, THREE JOURNEYS
This Women’s Month, we celebrate three remarkable women whose journeys at Steenberg reflect the power of opportunity, mentorship and the determination to keep growing.
Cape Town, May 2026
Career journeys rarely follow a straight line. For Steenberg Farm’s Assistant Winemaker Thabile Cele, Assistant Housekeeping Manager Xolelwa Nyezi and Spa Therapist Thulisile Nongwana, each path has been shaped by hard work, resilience and a willingness to embrace new opportunities.
Their roles may span wine, hospitality and wellness, but their stories share a common thread: the confidence to learn, take on new challenges and continue moving forward.
Thabile Cele: From Harvest Intern to Assistant Winemaker
For Thabile Cele, the journey began as a harvest intern before she was appointed Assistant Winemaker in 2025.
Moving into her new role brought greater responsibility and a new perspective. Instead of simply following plans, she became part of shaping them, learning to make decisions and adapt when circumstances changed.
“The biggest lesson has been learning to trust the process and adapt when things don’t go according to plan,” Thabile explains. “As an intern, much of the planning was already done. Now I’m involved in decision-making and learning how to respond when circumstances change.”
Mentorship has played an important role in that development, particularly the guidance and encouragement she has received from Steenberg Cellarmaster Elunda Basson.
“Having someone who genuinely believes in you builds confidence,” says Thabile. “I’ve learned to see every challenge as a learning opportunity and to trust myself when making decisions.”
Looking ahead, she is excited by innovation within South African wine and the opportunity to continue contributing to an industry that is constantly evolving.
Xolelwa Nyezi: Twenty Years of Growth
For Assistant Housekeeping Manager Xolelwa Nyezi, the journey has unfolded over two decades.
When she first entered the hospitality industry, she had no previous experience. The beginning wasn’t easy, but perseverance became an important part of her story.
“The first days were tough,” she recalls. “The work was hard and my feet hurt almost every day. But I kept trying.”
Twenty years later, Xolelwa has progressed into a leadership position, building her career through continuous learning, asking questions and embracing greater responsibility.
“I’m proud of how far I’ve come,” she says. “I started with no hospitality experience and today I’m in a leadership position. Along the way I’ve gained valuable skills and knowledge, and many of the people I’ve worked with have become like family.”
While much of the work of housekeeping happens quietly behind the scenes, Xolelwa understands the important role her team plays in shaping each guest’s experience.
“It’s about more than preparing rooms,” she explains. “It’s about making people feel comfortable, cared for and welcome.”
Thulisile Nongwana: Creating Care Through Connection
That same sense of genuine care sits at the heart of Spa Therapist Thulisile Nongwana’s approach.
For Thulisile, a successful treatment isn’t simply about technique. It is about understanding the person in front of her and creating an environment where they can truly disconnect.
“People want to feel cared for,” she says. “They want a welcoming environment where they feel heard, respected and able to disconnect.”
By taking the time to listen and understand each guest’s individual concerns and preferences, Thulisile is able to tailor treatments to create experiences that feel personal and meaningful.
“Every guest is different,” she explains. “Taking the time to understand their concerns and preferences allows me to create an experience that makes them feel valued and cared for.”
For her, one of the greatest compliments is seeing a familiar face return.
“When someone comes back, it tells me they felt valued and cared for,” she says. “That motivates me to keep creating experiences that are even more personal and memorable.”
While their careers have taken different paths, Cele, Nyezi and Nongwana share a common thread: each embraced opportunities to learn, grow and challenge themselves. Along the way, mentorship, encouragement and trust helped transform potential into progress.
Their stories demonstrate that meaningful careers are rarely built overnight. Instead, they are shaped through perseverance, curiosity and workplaces that invest in people’s development.
This Women’s Month, their journeys serve as a reminder of what can happen when talent is recognised, opportunity is provided and individuals are empowered to reach their full potential.
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