In a proud moment for the Laudium community, South African Tourism has announced the appointment of Ismail Dockrat as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective 1 May 2026.
Dockrat, who hails from Laudium, brings with him over 25 years of executive leadership experience across key sectors including aviation, aerospace manufacturing, logistics, trade and investment, as well as tourism promotion. His appointment marks a significant achievement not only for himself but for the broader Laudium community, highlighting the calibre of talent emerging from the area.
An engineer by training, with an MBA from the University of Cape Town, Dockrat has held senior positions at several prominent institutions, including the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Armscor, Trade and Investment South Africa (TISA), Wesgro, Denel, and Glodina.
His private sector experience includes a five-year stint as COO of Totai, a leading distributor of LP gas appliances in Southern Africa.
Known for his strategic leadership and operational expertise, Dockrat has successfully led organisational turnarounds, strengthened governance frameworks, and driven digital transformation initiatives that improved efficiency and supported sustainable growth. His contributions have earned him notable recognition, including the prestigious Boss of the Year award in 2005.
Speaking to Laudium Today, Dockrat said, “It is an honour to serve my beautiful country and promote South Africa as a world-class tourist destination.”
He further emphasised his commitment to driving operational excellence and innovation, while working alongside stakeholders to showcase the nation’s unique beauty and cultural richness.
His appointment comes as part of a broader leadership strengthening at South African Tourism, which also includes the appointment of Sithembile Ndaba as Chief Marketing Officer.
