Chantal Potgieter, the founder of Themba Travel, a UK-based travel company specialising in South African-inspired journeys, has been working hard to bring attention to the people and stories of South African communities. With the support of the Women in Tourism Cape Town chapter and Travel Network Group, Chantal has been able to help her partners in South Africa and to empower women in the tourism industry.
Chantal’s passion for travel was sparked by her father who took her on trips to Oudsthoorn every year. Journeys such as these and the sights and sounds she witnessed along the way, inspired Chantal to create a company that focuses on community-based tourism, volunteering holidays, and offering travellers the opportunity to experience authentic local living.
Chantal believes that the local people should be given the opportunity to tell their stories, and that South African tourism products are often inaccessible to South Africans due to their high prices. In order to make these experiences more accessible, one of the projects Chantal is working on is with a local guide from the Hammanskraal community to bring locals into the reserve to expose them to the beauty of conservation and the potential of becoming a ranger or guide.
Chantal is also passionate about connecting the indigenous people of South Africa with travellers and educating students in culture, community, and wildlife conservation. For young businesses looking to start up, Chantal recommends joining a network of people to get support and advice and taking advantage of all available resources.
Chantal’s story proves that with determination and resilience, you can make a real difference in the world of tourism.
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You can get hold of Chantal by logging on www.thembatravel.com or emailing her at chantal@thembatravel.com.
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