TEN years into existence, Tsheola Dinare Tours has distinguished itself by focusing on delivering an unparalleled service to the South African travel industry. As one of a kind travel agency renowned not only for its well-executed travel concepts but for having been able to navigate the choppy waters of youth empowerment, its core mission still remains job creation for the young men and women from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Headed by its founding managing director, Jojo Tsheola, the story of how the company came to being is nothing short of inspirational. Starting off with only two beaten up Toyota Corolla’s 10 years ago, today the company boasts over a fleet of over 80 vehicles and employs over 100 staff members on a full-time basis. 2018 saw the company achieve a big milestone as they were appointed the official shuttle service for the 2018 Tourism Indaba in Durban.
NOWinSA chats to the former hotel cleaner, whose hard work, dedication and professionalism have seen the company offer services to a number of local and international corporate clientele such as MultiChoice, BP, ABSA, Liberty, Standard Bank, Accenture, and FNB.
Meet The Boss
Q: This year marks almost a decade of Tsheola Dinare Tour’s existence. Take us through the early start of the company and the vision that informed it?
A: The seed was planted by the decision I took back then that I will never ever wanted to work for someone after I was laid off by the previous employer. From this, a vision to create an environment where people worked without having to worry about being dismissed was born. This vision was accompanied by my deep passion for the hospitality industry and the realization that there is so much that our beautiful country can offer to tourists.
Q: Starting a business can be a daunting task as much as it can be exciting, what’s the one thing you’ve learned in your journey of becoming an entrepreneur?
A: I have learned that people are different and their individual needs to be managed in a manner that accommodates each one of them
Q: The hospitality industry in South Africa and tourism is alive with ample opportunities for job creation- which is one of your biggest passions. How important is it to support the local economy and travel businesses to make this a reality?
A: When we support the local economy, this speaks directly to our vision of contributing to job creation in this country. What people tend to go and seek out in other countries, South Africa has it all – from seeing the big five to the magnificent outdoors and the sunny climate perfect for outdoor adventures, you name it. We just need to market all of these credentials more and work harder to make travel affordable.
Q: What exactly sets Tsheola Dinare Travel & Tours apart from its competitors?
A: We are flexible to clients’ needs and go beyond expectation.
Q: For the locals looking to seek out your services, what needs do you promise to solve for them?
A: You want to explore any part of South Africa, and don’t know how we are at your service. If you are looking for an affordable holiday in South Africa, we are here for you. You have a conference/event where you need ground handling resources, look no further than Tsheola Dinare. Tired of driving in traffic when attending those meetings or going to the airport – dial us up! We do all of the above without blinking.
Q: What are some of the unique offerings you have for international travelers looking visit SA?
A: Adventure tours, historic tours, volunteer tourism and not to forget, our vibrant culture, which has given rise to the term “Rainbow Nation”.
