Backed by Relationships. Driven by Purpose.
Meet the Founders
Around Africa is backed by more than 40 years of combined industry experience, built by two hospitality professionals who believe in collaborative growth, shared social capital, and trade on your own terms.
Rudi Wagenaar
Co-Founder | Around Africa
With more than 25 years in tourism, Rudi Wagenaar has built his career around relationships, storytelling, and opening doors for remarkable African tourism businesses.
As the founder of SustainableLuxury.Africa, Rudi works closely with independent hotels, lodges, and experiences, helping them connect meaningfully with the global travel trade. His work is rooted in the belief that some of Africa’s most extraordinary stories are found beyond the usual spotlight.
In 2026, an unexpected gap in his showcase schedule gave him the time to become curious. That space led to new discoveries, new conversations, and a deeper understanding of how access and relationships can be shared to uplift others.
Around Africa grew from that exact curiosity: could technology create more time, more access, and more opportunities for tourism people to meet – without losing the warmth and humanity that make our industry so special?
Thabang Rapotu is a purpose-driven entrepreneur and seasoned hospitality professional with a rich, decade-long career in luxury travel across Africa and the Indian Ocean. As the founder of Poised Solutions, she connects distinguished hospitality and eco-luxury brands – from Mauritius and the Seychelles to the shores of Kenya – directly with the global travel trade.
Thabang has held impactful leadership roles at some of the most respected hospitality brands on the continent, including The Saxon Boutique Hotel & Villas, One&Only Cape Town, and The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa. Beyond her corporate reach, she serves the broader tourism village as the President of Skal International Pretoria, contributing directly to the responsible development of the global travel network.
Guided by faith and a passion for authentic connection, Thabang co-founded ‘Spilling the Tea’ – a soulful women’s platform dedicated to purpose and community. Her journey is a testament to resilience, vision, and a deep commitment to uplifting independent voices across the tourism ecosystem.
Thabang Rapotu
Co-Founder | Around Africa
The Spark Behind Around Africa
The exact moment curiosity turned into a movement.
Watch the story below:
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Let's Build This Together
We didn’t build Around Africa to be a rigid, closed-door corporate event structure. We built it to be a living, human space where independent travel brands and global designers can discover each other naturally. We look forward to welcoming you to the village.