From the First Hires to the Helm: The Rise of General Manager Agnes Ntombela at MINT Hotels

When MINT Hotels launched at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the hospitality industry was facing one of the most challenging periods in its history. Yet in the midst of global uncertainty, the brand took a bold leap forward – introducing a fresh approach to hospitality centred on great value, flexibility, comfort, experiential apartment-style stays and forward-thinking design.

One of the very first people entrusted to help bring this new vision to life was Agnes Ntombela, hired as employee number two before MINT Hotels officially opened its doors. Her involvement during those early, formative months positioned her at the core of building the brand’s operational structure, service ethos and collaborative culture. Today, she manages MINT Hotel 84 on Katherine, the property where MINT’s story began – a milestone that speaks to her growth alongside the brand itself.

An Unexpected Career With Purpose

 Agnes’s entry into hospitality was unplanned. She started her working life in 1999 as a security guard, later transitioning into a Business Centre Administrator role, which was her formal entry into the Tourism & Hospitality Industry and the gateway into an industry she would come to dedicate the next 25 years to. Her introduction to hotel operations gave her hands-on exposure to front-of-house functions, guest service, administration and back-office coordination, laying the foundation for her future leadership.

“I may not have planned to enter hospitality, but once I was in it, I saw how meaningful the work is and how deeply it impacts people and communities, and that’s what made me stay,” explains Agnes.

Driven by ambition and a desire for growth, Agnes pursued formal learning and completed a Diploma through UNISA, strengthening her management and business skills. She was later selected as one of the first candidates in the Department of Tourism’s Women in Tourism Leadership Programme, an experience that elevated her strategic perspective, influence and commitment to mentorship.

Helping Build MINT Hotels From Day One

 Joining MINT in July 2020 as Hotel Operations Manager at MINT Hotel 84 on Katherine, during the peak of the pandemic meant stepping into a start-up hospitality environment with no inherited systems or existing playbook – only a vision and a small, committed team. Agnes was instrumental in setting up early operational workflows, shaping guest experience standards, and contributing to the brand’s resilient, collaborative and forward-thinking culture.

Her leadership quickly became evident.  After joining as Hotel Operations Manager in July 2020, she rose swiftly through the ranks, becoming Deputy General Manager at MINT Express Melrose View by March 2021 and later appointed as the General Manager of MINT Hotel 84 on Katherine in September 2021. Her progression mirrored the brand’s momentum as MINT Hotels grew from a single property in 2020 to seven properties in just five years, of which Agnes remained integral to its operational development and expansion.

Agnes adds, “Watching MINT grow from one hotel to a multi-property group has been one of my proudest achievements. It showed me what a committed team can build, even in challenging circumstances”.

 

Leading the Future at 84 on Katherine

 Now overseeing one of the group’s flagship properties, Agnes continues to drive operational excellence, guest satisfaction, team development and cultural consistency. She is equally committed to supporting the rise of women in hospitality, championing leadership that is empathetic, solutions-driven and deeply people-centred.

As MINT Hotels continues to grow and refine its offering, Agnes’s focus is firmly on progress that involves building strong teams, elevating guests’ experiences and contributing to a brand she has helped shape from its formative stages.