Rykie van Tonder
Senior fractional and interim executive, with a specialism in hospitality consulting.
I love a new challenge. My career has been spent in senior management across the Cape's wine and hospitality industry, where I have led every part of an operation: guest experience, food and beverage, HR, finance, marketing and business development.
I conceptualise ideas, steer projects through to results and mobilise teams to find creative, cost-conscious solutions. Whether I'm leading for the long term, stepping in during a gap or guiding a turnaround, I bring the same measured approach and a real passion for excellence.
Where I've worked
- 2022 to 2026Laborie Heritage Wine Estate, PaarlGeneral Manager
- 2009 to 2025Business Beyond Consultants & D’Vine WinesOwner and Business Consultant
- 2015 to 2017Boschendal EstateGeneral Manager: Hospitality
- 2006 to 2009Grande Provence Estate, FranschhoekGeneral Manager
- 2000 to 2006Avontuur EstateFinancial and Operational Manager
- 1996 to 1997Lanzerac Hotel, StellenboschOffice Manager (Front of House)
What I bring
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA)University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB), 2005
Honours in Business AdministrationUniversity of Stellenbosch Business School (USB), 2001
Honours in Public AdministrationStellenbosch University, 1996
BA in Social WorkStellenbosch University, 1994
Highlights
- Laborie: I have grown a modest operation with a small wine sales office into a thriving destination with new five-star guest rooms, the Stoep and Suzanne restaurants, a farm grocer and function venues including the Champagne Cellar, with a spa being finalised. I developed the estate's strategic plan, and I oversee operations, HR, finance, guest experience, marketing and business development.
- Boschendal: I led strong growth in revenue, capacity and staff, adding the Werf Restaurant, Cellar Door, Werf Tasting Room, Rhone Picnics and the Butchery. I built talent by employing and developing people from the local community. Boschendal won Accommodation at the Wine Capitals of the World awards, and the Werf cottages achieved five-star accreditation.
- Grande Provence: as part of the international management team of Huka Retreats, I led the restaurant, winery, gallery, Jonkershuis and The Owner's Cottage. The estate was voted one of the world's Top 100 wineries, the restaurant was named one of Eat Out's Top 10 in South Africa, and The Owner's Cottage was listed among Harper's Bazaar UK's top 15 villas in the world. We also hosted the Earl and Countess of Wessex for the President's Award.
- Avontuur: I managed the operational and financial side of the wine estate, stud farm, restaurant and property interests, and grew both national and export wine sales.
- Consulting: I have set and guided client strategies, and assisted PwC with a business rescue in the Winelands.
Solutions are my love language.
Talk to Rykie
Get in touch about your next project, an interim need, or a fresh outside perspective.
OpsHQ brings together three specialists. Meet Liezel, who handles the operational and administrative side, and Norma, who creates guest experiences and events.