From giving foot massages to her grandfather as a child to managing some of the world’s finest luxury spas, Botswana wellness professional Oratile Lollipop Tom has built an international career that is now placing the country’s beauty therapy industry on the global map.
Now serving as a Spa Treatment Manager in Northern Ireland and Botswana’s ambassador to the World Spa Organisation, Tom says her journey has been driven by passion, dedication, and a commitment to raising professional standards within the beauty and wellness sector.
Tom’s career began with formal studies in beauty therapy and tourism, two disciplines she intentionally combined because of her love for the hospitality industry.
“I have always preferred working in tourism environments rather than conventional day spas,” she said. “Beauty therapy and tourism have always gone hand in hand for me.”
She credits her childhood experiences caring for her grandfather as the spark that ignited her passion for wellness.
“I used to massage my grandfather’s feet, and seeing how much comfort it gave him stayed with me. When I entered beauty therapy, those memories came back and reminded me why I love what I do.”
After graduating, Tom quickly rose through the ranks, securing a management position early in her career before working for several renowned safari operators, including Great Plains, Belmond, and &Beyond.
However, she describes her time at Xigera Safari Lodge as the defining chapter of her professional journey.
Joining the lodge during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Tom was entrusted with establishing its spa and wellness department from the ground up. She travelled to South Africa to work with international spa directors on designing the facility, developing treatment menus, and preparing operational systems ahead of the lodge’s opening.
The lockdown period, she says, became an unexpected opportunity for professional growth.
“I received extensive local and international training during that time. By the time we opened, my team was fully prepared because we had invested heavily in training and development.”
She also established staff wellness programmes while mentoring an entirely new team of therapists, many of whom she says have since developed into accomplished professionals.
Tom’s work earned her numerous accolades, including recognition as one of Southern Africa’s top spa managers. Those achievements eventually attracted international opportunities that took her beyond Botswana’s borders.
She later joined the Galgorm Collection in Northern Ireland, one of the country’s leading luxury hospitality groups, where she managed internationally acclaimed five-star spas. Her career has also included a stint in Spain as a beauty therapy lecturer, reflecting what she describes as a lifelong passion for education and mentorship.
“I enjoy training others. It’s something I want to bring back home because knowledge sharing is critical for growing our industry,” she said.
Recently, Tom attained an internationally recognised education and training qualification, enabling her to teach beauty therapy anywhere in the world. She is currently the only Motswana to hold that particular certification.
Her growing international reputation has also seen her appointed Botswana’s ambassador to the World Spa Organization, where she represents the country in promoting professional development, education, and international collaboration within the global spa industry.
Despite her success abroad, Tom remains focused on Botswana and believes the country’s beauty therapy sector has enormous untapped potential.
She argues that while many Batswana possess exceptional natural talent, inadequate professional qualifications continue to limit access to international employment opportunities.
“Our country does not yet offer training that fully meets internationally recognised standards,” she said. “The talent is here, but qualifications remain one of the biggest barriers.”
According to Tom, neighbouring countries such as South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe have adopted internationally accredited beauty therapy programmes that provide graduates with globally recognised credentials, something she believes Botswana should prioritise.
She also stressed the importance of professional standards, health and safety compliance, and internationally recognised operating procedures, particularly as Botswana’s luxury safari lodges continue attracting affluent international travellers.
Tom is now offering consultancy services to hotels, spas, training institutions, and tourism organisations interested in upgrading wellness services and improving staff training.
She hopes her international experience can help position Botswana as a competitive destination for luxury wellness tourism while creating more opportunities for aspiring beauty therapists.
“There are so many opportunities available in this profession,” she said. “With the right qualifications, proper training, and international standards, more Batswana can compete successfully anywhere in the world.”
