Dubai is shining a spotlight on the African talent, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit helping shape its identity through Beat of My Dubai, a new storytelling project celebrating the people who live, work and thrive in the city.
Launched by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the initiative brings together six personalities from South Africa, Kenya and Zimbabwe, offering a more personal perspective on Dubai through their careers, experiences and connections to the destination.
Through short films, portraits and candid city snapshots, the project explores what Dubai means to those who have made it home, built careers there or continue to return for new opportunities. From hospitality and architecture to food, media and events, each story highlights the city’s multicultural character and its ability to bring people and ideas together.
The initiative also reflects Dubai’s growing connections with African markets. In 2025, the city welcomed 897,000 visitors from across the continent, contributing to a record-breaking 19.59 million international overnight visitors overall.
“Dubai’s success has always been driven by its ability to bring people, ideas and cultures together,” says Khalaf Alaleeli, Assistant Manager, International Operations at the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, part of DET. Through Beat of My Dubai, the department aims to celebrate African talent while encouraging more visitors from across the continent to experience the city.
Six stories, one city
At the heart of the project are six professionals whose experiences reflect different sides of Dubai’s dynamic economy.
They include Roux Willem Hattingh, a doorman at Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai; Chef Kelvin Kelly, founder of OneLife Kitchen & Cafe; architect Shaun Killa, founder of Killa Design; media entrepreneur Yvonne Mtengwa; Moonrise restaurant manager Ashley Jane Rosenberg; and Elizabeth Wambui, events organiser at the Museum of the Future.
Adding a distinctly South African perspective to the campaign is acclaimed photographer Siphiwe Mhlambi. Having started his career as a teenager in Soweto, Johannesburg, Mhlambi has built a body of work spanning portraiture, fashion, documentary and cultural storytelling. For this project, he captures each personality alongside the city they now call home, creating a visual connection between their African roots and their lives in Dubai.
For South African-born Kelvin Kelly, who moved to Dubai in 2015, the city has provided a platform to develop his culinary career. His approach centres on quality ingredients, honest cooking and dishes prepared from scratch, reflecting the diversity of Dubai’s evolving food scene.
“Dubai has given me the space to grow, to experiment and to build something that feels truly mine. The best part is that I get to bring a little bit of where I come from into a city that belongs to everyone,” says Kelvin.
Fellow South African Ashley Jane Rosenberg brings her energy and warmth to her role at Moonrise, working alongside a multicultural team in one of the city’s fast-paced dining environments. For her, the appeal lies in the people and possibilities that make each working day different.
South African-born architect Shaun Killa has helped shape Dubai’s skyline since arriving in the emirate in 1998. As Design Director and Founder of Killa Design, he is behind some of its most recognisable landmarks, including the Museum of the Future, Dubai Opera, Address Beach Resort and Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab. Established in Dubai in 2015, his practice focuses on innovative, sustainable and expressive architecture.
“Dubai has always been a city willing to challenge what is possible. Coming from South Africa, I found that energy incredibly inspiring. It gave me the freedom to think bigger, to experiment and ultimately to help shape a city that is constantly reinventing itself,” says Shaun.
For Zimbabwean-born Yvonne Mtengwa, Dubai has become both home and a base for connecting Africa with the wider world. A PR strategist, brand storyteller and media entrepreneur with more than 18 years of experience, she is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Travel Essence Magazine, which connects audiences in the UAE and Gulf region with travel, tourism and hospitality opportunities across Africa and the UAE. She also runs a communications consultancy and curates African travel experiences through Travel Essence Getaways.
“Dubai has taught me that you don’t have to leave who you are behind to find your place somewhere new. I carry Zimbabwe, I carry Africa, and I bring all of that with me into everything I do in this city,” she says.
Kenyan-born Elizabeth Wambui represents Dubai’s creative and cultural landscape through her work as an events organiser at the Museum of the Future, helping create experiences that connect audiences with innovation and new ideas.
Meanwhile, South African Roux Willem Hattingh offers a glimpse into the world of high-end hospitality at Mandarin Oriental Downtown Dubai, where personal connections and thoughtful service can leave a lasting impression.
Together, these stories reveal a side of Dubai that extends beyond its striking skyline and celebrated attractions. They showcase a city shaped by the people who contribute to its daily rhythm, bring their own perspectives to its culture and continue to influence its evolution.
Published across DET’s social media channels, with videos shared collaboratively with the featured personalities, Beat of My Dubai celebrates the connections between Africa and Dubai through the people who experience them first-hand.
From the energy of a restaurant kitchen to the creativity of an architectural studio, the campaign offers a reminder that a destination is defined not only by the places we visit, but also by the people who bring it to life.