South African booking platform LekkeSlaap acquired by local investor consortium as founders exit

Co-founders Jonathan Womersley and Marcel van de Ghinste are leaving the business, along with other long-time shareholders. 

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South African accommodation booking platform LekkeSlaap has been bought by a consortium of leading local investors. The deal was announced on 8 October 2026, but the sale price was not disclosed.

The acquiring consortium is co-led by South African investment firms Bellair Road Investment Partners and Janic Capital, alongside the Ferreira Family Office, the Moolman Family Office and Investec. 

Bellair Road Investment Partners specialises in long-term investments and has a history of successful investments, including Montego Pet Nutrition and Econofoods.

Janic Capital is an investment firm run by the Dippenaar family, led by Adriaan Dippenaar. They focus on long-term support for LekkeSlaap and its management team, drawing on their family’s background in South African finance.

LekkeSlaap’s executive management team has also invested alongside the consortium and will continue to lead the business.

Co-founders Jonathan Womersley and Marcel van de Ghinste are leaving the business, along with other long-time shareholders. 

“To see LekkeSlaap grow from a small startup into a brand used and loved by millions of South Africans has been incredibly rewarding. After so many years, finding new owners who share our culture, values and vision for the business matters enormously to us. We genuinely believe we have found the right long-term owners for LekkeSlaap, and we couldn’t be more excited to see what the management team and the new owners build from here,” says Womersly. 

LekkeSlaap is an accommodation booking platform in South Africa that was established in 2013. It provides a variety of lodging options, such as holiday homes, hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, resorts, and lodges across Southern Africa. 

The company began in 2009 as a small startup and now lists over 40,000 properties, having served more than 9 million guests. Additionally, the acquisition makes LekkeSlaap remains South African-owned and brings together local investment with experienced leaders to enhance the platform’s future.

“Our ambition is simple: to put Africa on the map. This next chapter gives us the opportunity to expand further across Southern Africa, invest more deeply in technology and localisation, and create even better experiences for our guests and hosts. Despite everything LekkeSlaap has already achieved, I genuinely believe our most exciting years are still ahead of us,” says Joubert. 

LekkeSlaap’s senior managers have invested too and will keep running the company. Frans Joubert stays on as CEO. 

Herman Bosman has been named chairman. He also chairs the OUTsurance Group and Fortress Real Estate, and was CEO of RMB Holdings and RMI Holdings. 

“LekkeSlaap is a great example of what South African entrepreneurs can build when they combine a strong customer proposition with persistence and ambition. I am excited to join LekkeSlaap as chairman and to guide and support Frans, the management team, and fellow shareholders as LekkeSlaap enters its next phase of growth,” saysBosman.

Robert Paddock, co-founder of GetSmarter and Valenture Institute, has joined the board. Both invested alongside the new owners.

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