YAKUB ABDULRASHEED – South African travel startup LekkeSlaap has been acquired by a consortium of local investors, marking a significant ownership transition for the accommodation-booking platform founded in 2013.
The deal will see founders Jonathan Womersley and Marcel van de Ghinste exit the company alongside two other shareholders, while the existing executive team remains in place to oversee daily operations.
The acquisition brings experienced business leaders into the company’s boardroom as the new investors seek to expand its presence across Southern Africa, strengthen its technology and improve customer experience.
Despite the ownership change, LekkeSlaap says its services will continue as usual for consumers, with the company maintaining its local identity while pursuing more ambitious growth plans.
Local Investors Join Forces to Acquire LekkeSlaap
The acquisition was led jointly by Bellair Road Investment Partners and Janic Capital, alongside the Ferreira Family Office, the Moolman Family Office and Investec.
The investors have combined their resources to take ownership positions in a business that has developed a substantial presence in South Africa’s travel and accommodation market.
Founded by Womersley and Marcel van de Ghinste in 2013, LekkeSlaap has built a network of approximately 40,000 accommodation properties and reportedly served more than nine million travellers.
Its platform connects people seeking places to stay with accommodation providers, giving the company an established customer base and a foundation for further expansion.
Although the financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed in the supplied report, the acquisition represents a transition from founder-led ownership towards a new group of investors seeking to support the company’s next phase of development.
Founders Exit as Experienced Business Leaders Join the Board
Womersley and van de Ghinste are leaving the company alongside two other shareholders after more than a decade of building the business.
Womersley emphasised the importance of finding investors who understand the company’s identity and ambitions.
“After so many years, finding new owners who share our culture, values, and vision for the business matters enormously to us.”
The new ownership structure also brings significant corporate and entrepreneurial experience to LekkeSlaap’s board.
Herman Bosman, former chief executive of RMB Holdings and RMI Holdings, has been appointed board chairman. Robert Paddock, co-founder of online education company GetSmarter, which was acquired by 2U, has also joined the board.
Meanwhile, chief executive Frans Joubert and the existing executive team will continue managing the company’s daily activities, providing continuity as the new investors begin shaping its longer-term direction.
Technology Investment and Regional Expansion Top Growth Agenda
LekkeSlaap plans to use the new ownership arrangement to strengthen its market position and expand its operations across Southern Africa. Its priorities include investing in technology, improving the customer experience and increasing its regional presence.
Technology investment could help the company improve how travellers discover accommodation, compare available options and complete bookings. However, the specific upgrades and the timeline for implementing them were not detailed in the supplied report.
The expansion strategy also signals an ambition to build on the company’s existing network of accommodation providers and established customer relationships.
With additional investors and experienced business leaders supporting its direction, LekkeSlaap will seek to pursue these opportunities while preserving the business foundations developed since its launch.
What Happens to the Existing Customers
Despite the ownership transition, LekkeSlaap has indicated that consumers should not expect immediate changes to its services. Existing customers can continue using the platform to find and book accommodation, while the current executive team remains responsible for daily operations.
Joubert reiterated the company’s commitment to maintaining its identity while pursuing growth, he said:
“LekkeSlaap remains proudly local and independent in spirit, but with the right partners behind us, we can now dream even bigger.”
The statement reflects the company’s intention to retain its South African character while benefiting from the experience and resources of its new investors.
Whether the acquisition translates into a broader accommodation network, improved booking services and stronger regional competitiveness will depend on how effectively the company executes its plans.
For now, the transaction marks a new chapter for LekkeSlaap, with a change in ownership but continuity in its operational leadership and customer-facing services.
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