{
  "id": 12873728,
  "title": "LekkeSlaap stays local as SA investment consortium takes the helm",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/lekkeslaap-stays-local-as-sa-investment-consortium-takes-the-helm",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-08T12:54:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/business/2026-10-08-lekkeslaap-stays-local-as-sa-investment-consortium-takes-the-helm/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Cape Town-based online booking platform LekkeSlaap has been acquired by a group of local investors, marking a new era for the South African success story. Founders Jonathan Womersley and Marcel van de Ghinste are stepping down after 16 years, transforming a 2009 garage start-up into an entity that has welcomed over 9 million guests and offers more than 40,000 properties. Leading the investment is Bellair Road Investment Partners and Janic Capital, backed by the Ferreira Family Office, the Moolman Family Office, and Investec. LekkeSlaap's current leadership team remains in place, including CEO Frans Joubert. Womersley expressed excitement about the new ownership, emphasizing the importance of finding partners who understand the culture and vision. Marcel Boezaart from Bellair Road praised the acquisition as a proud South African success story. Joubert, remaining at the helm, envisions bigger dreams for LekkeSlaap with the right partners behind the brand. Herman Bosman, a corporate veteran with experience in OUTsurance, Fortress Real Estate, RMB, and RMI, assumes the role of chairman alongside Robert Paddock, a co-founder of GetSmarter and Valenture Institute. Despite the change in ownership, LekkeSlaap remains locally owned and independent, with plans for deeper expansion across Southern Africa, enhanced technology investments, and improved guest and host experiences.",
  "summary": "The new owners are a consortium co-led by Bellair Road Investment Partners and Janic Capital, with the Ferreira Family Office, the Moolman Family Office and Investec also on board. LekkeSlaap’s own executive team has put money in too and will stay in charge, ensuring the day-to-day running of the platform continues without disruption for guests and hosts.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}