Having been in the travel and tourism industry since 1997, Ms. Johanna Makgalemele leads Travel with Flair with experience, commitment and a strong vision. As co-founder, she has transformed the company into a multi-award-winning leader in personalised corporate and leisure travel, recognised for innovation and service excellence, including the prestigious – Most Empowered Business of the Year award. A trailblazer, she became the first African to serve on the Global Tourism Board of the Association of Corporate Travel Executives, representing the Middle East and Africa. Beyond her business achievements, Makgalemele has contributed to the media as the executive producer of Women on the Move, a television series on SABC 2 showcasing accomplished South African businesswomen and promoting economic empowerment. Deeply committed to philanthropy, she focuses on initiatives that uplift women and advance community development. Through her leadership, public speaking, media projects, and charitable work, she continues to inspire and mentor a new generation of female leaders.
Women’s Tabloid: With over three decades in the industry, Travel with Flair has grown to six branches and more than 700 professionals. What strategic decisions or turning points would you credit as most pivotal to the company’s sustained growth and industry leadership?
Johanna Makgalemele: At the heart of our journey has been a bold vision: to build a travel company that reflects the excellence, innovation, and spirit of Africa. One of our earliest and most impactful decisions was to invest in our people—through our own accredited training academy—because we believed that empowered professionals are the foundation of exceptional service. Embracing technology was another game-changer; we saw it not as a threat, but as an opportunity to enhance human connection and streamline complexity. But most importantly, we led with courage—especially when others hesitated. We built partnerships, expanded across borders, and never lost sight of our purpose: to create meaningful travel experiences that move businesses forward and uplift lives.
WT: In a sector that has faced immense pressure and transformation over recent years, what have been the core principles guiding your leadership and business resilience at Travel with Flair?
JM: Leadership during turbulent times demands heart, humility, and hope. I’ve always led from a place of service—putting people first, listening deeply, and remaining anchored in our values. Even in the face of industry-wide uncertainty, we focused on what we could control: how we treated our teams, how we supported our clients, and how we used change as a catalyst for growth. Our resilience came from our willingness to evolve without losing our soul. We stayed agile, optimistic, and future-focused. And above all, we chose compassion over fear—because I believe that business with heart will always outlast business with ego.
WT: The travel industry is often defined by its responsiveness to change, be it geopolitical shifts, economic pressures, or technological evolution. How does your team stay ahead of trends while maintaining operational excellence?
JM: We have created a culture of “curiosity and courage”—where innovation is not only encouraged but expected. My team understands that excellence is not a destination, it’s a discipline. We consistently scan the horizon, anticipate trends, and stay plugged into global best practices. But what sets us apart is how we translate those insights into human impact. Whether it is through personalised dashboards, or wellness-led itineraries, every change we implement is designed to make travel more intuitive, empowering, and meaningful. We lead not by following trends, but by shaping them.
WT: How is Travel with Flair redefining value for clients beyond cost-saving, particularly in areas like traveller well-being, risk management, and customised service?
JM: True value is measured not just in rands and cents, but in how a journey makes you feel. We have redefined our offering to reflect the holistic needs of modern travellers—from real-time safety alerts and 24/7 emergency support to curated wellness recommendations and traveller profiling. We understand that behind every booking is a human being—someone’s parent, colleague, or leader—and we never take that responsibility lightly. Our clients trust us not just because we’re efficient, but because we care. And in a world that is constantly shifting, that kind of care is priceless.
WT: What key trends do you believe will shape the future of Africa’s business travel sector, and how is Travel with Flair aligning itself with these changes?
JM: Africa is rising—and so is its travel landscape. We are seeing an exciting shift toward “pan-African mobility”, “digital-first solutions”, and “purpose-driven travel policies”. As intra-Africa trade grows and women entrepreneurs take centre stage, the business travel sector must adapt with inclusivity, sustainability, and innovation at its core. At Travel with Flair, we are aligning with this future by embracing smart tech, mentoring the next generation of industry leaders, and building partnerships that transcend borders. My hope is that African companies won’t just be users of global systems—we’ll be creators of them. And we are committed to making that vision a reality.
