Press PagesPress Release: Tripco appoints new CEO

Tripco, the local travel technology company behind popular accommodation platform LekkeSlaap, has appointed Frans Joubert as Chief Executive Officer.

Joubert, who has served as the company’s Chief Financial Officer since 2020, steps into the role following a planned leadership transition. The SAICA Top 35-under-35 finalist succeeds co-founders Jonathan Womersley and Marcel van de Ghinste as CEO. Joubert will lead the business as it continues to scale its operations, strengthen its market position, and expand its presence in the broader Southern African region. Womersley and Van de Ghinste will remain board members and advisors.

The appointment marks a new chapter for the business, which has grown over the past 17 years into the country’s most prominent travel technology company in the short-term accommodation rental space. In recent years, Tripco has focused on strengthening LekkeSlaap as its core platform and expanding its reach across key markets, solidifying its position as the largest locally owned accommodation platform in South Africa. Additionally, it has grown its presence across the border into more Southern African regions, including Namibia, Mozambique and Botswana. Today, LekkeSlaap offers the largest selection of short-term accommodation across South Africa and has established itself as a leading platform for South African travellers.

“Tripco has grown into a business we are incredibly proud of, with a strong team, a resilient operating model, and a brand in LekkeSlaap that truly resonates with South Africans,” said Womersley.

“As we look ahead, the mission is to continue scaling the platform while maintaining the discipline and focus that have underpinned our success to date,” added Van de Ghinste. “We are excited to hand over executive leadership of the business to Frans as we enter this next phase of growth, and to see him continue to build on the strong foundation that’s been established.”

Joubert is most excited about unlocking value at the intersection of people and technology as he steps into this new role.
“For me, it is all about enablement,” he explained. “When we do our job well, we not only help guests enjoy unforgettable experiences but also enable thousands of small businesses across South Africa to earn a sustainable income.”

According to Joubert, too much revenue leaves the local economy through international platforms. “My mission is to ensure more of it stays on our shores, and being backed by an exceptional, proudly South African team with bespoke, world-class technology, we have built a rare local champion in this space.”

Despite this extraction of revenue, Joubert believes the future of travel in South Africa is brighter than ever and that the company has a meaningful role to play in shaping that future, not only in South Africa, but across the broader Southern African region.

“LekkeSlaap is a combination of proudly South African DNA, deep local insight, and an authentic warmth that guests and hosts can genuinely feel. Our role is to connect local and international guests with the very best this region has to offer, while giving hosts the visibility and technology they need to thrive.

“This is a business with a strong foundation and a clear opportunity ahead,” said Joubert. “We will continue to focus on delivering value to our customers, supporting our hosts and partners, and building a product that reflects and supports the needs of South African travellers.”