Four students from SA have claimed top honours at the 2026 Future Leaders Challenge Finals!
South Africa (06 March 2026) – The Future Leaders Challenge exists to find and develop the next generation of hospitality and tourism leaders across the world. It brings students from more than 80 schools together to overcome industry challenges in innovative ways.
Champions are selected by a panel of experts who’ve honed their chops in hospitality and tourism. The finals were hosted in Dubai recently, aboard the Queen Elizabeth 2. It brought together industry leaders, government partners and emerging talent from across the Middle East and Africa (MEA).
Alongside more than a dozen groups of students from the region, a local group of four shining stars showed what excellence looks like in practice!
Juliet Alexander, Ayla Greeff, Julia Kilpin, and Ehrin Schmidt competed against 18 mixed groups from universities across the Middle East and Africa. They delivered two podium finishes.
“The competition consisted of 18 mixed groups from universities across the MEA region. Two of our students placed in the Top 3 within their respective groups, with Juliet’s team placing second overall and Ehrin’s team placing third overall.” Stenden SA shared.
The standout honour went to Juliet, who earned the distinguished ‘JJ’ Sleiffer Award, named after hospitality icon Jochem-Jan Sleiffer. It recognises the student who best embodies authentic leadership, empowerment and heart-led impact. Someone who leads with genuine care for the people around them.
Juliet and her team are students at Stenden South Africa, a Port Alfred-based campus of NHL Stenden Netherlands, which offers degrees in Hospitality Management and Disaster Relief Management.
“We are very proud of our four participants – Julia Kilpin, Ayla Greeff, Ehrin Schmidt and Juliet Alexander — who represented Stenden South Africa with confidence and professionalism.” adds Stenden.
Congratulations to all four!
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