SA Accommodation Booking Platform LekkeSlaap Acquired by Investec-Backed Consortium

LekkeSlaap, a South African online accommodation booking platform, has been acquired by a consortium of local investors including Investec, Bellair Road Investment Partners and Janic Capital, alongside the Ferreira and Moolman family offices.

The deal, for an undisclosed sum, marks the exit of co-founders Jonathan Womersley and Marcel van de Ghinste after 17 years.

The founders launched TravelGround in 2009 with ZAR 12 K (approximately USD 1.6 K at the time) before introducing LekkeSlaap in 2013 as an Afrikaans-language accommodation booking platform. The business now lists more than 40,000 properties across Southern Africa and has facilitated bookings for over nine million guests.

CEO Frans Joubert and the existing executive team will continue to run the business. The new owners plan to invest in technology, localisation and regional expansion, as the platform competes with global players such as Airbnb.