Marakanelo Travel:
Turning journeys into futures for South Africa’s youth.
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Audio Title: Marakanelo Travel: Turning journeys into futures for South Africa’s youth.
Description: As the founder and CEO of Marakanelo Travel and Tourism, Lesego isn’t just in the business of moving bodies from one place to another.
As the founder and CEO of Marakanelo Travel and Tourism, Lesego isn’t just in the business of moving bodies from one place to another.
She’s moving minds.
Reshaping futures.
Lighting a path for the next generation of South Africa’s youth.
“I think first and foremost when I go deep, deep, deep, in my heart and my mind, it’s really about education that I never had,” she shares during our interview. “I’ve always loved unique things and… education.”
For Lesego, her business is a counter-narrative to what she experienced as a student, disillusioned by an irrelevant education system and a lack of guidance.
“We had a lady we used to call my guidance, Mrs Guidance… but I finished school without engaging with her”
Lesego’s frustration was real. But instead of letting that bitterness define her, she turned it into fuel.
“Instead of becoming bitter, let me become a better person… What I didn’t get, let me do research with the little I have and get that information out to young people who may be like me.”
Education Meets Exposure
The magic of Marakanelo lies in its immersive, career-oriented travel experiences.
What began as simple educational trips has evolved into something far more transformative. “We would just take learners to Cape Town… see the ocean, swim, and that was it.”
Today, Marakanelo tours blend four modes of transport (road, rail, sea, and air) with career exploration in aviation, maritime, marine sciences, and aerospace.
“We have fireside chats on the careers… they will visit Simon’s Town, the South African Navy, the submarine museum… they will see how the ocean space is protected using submarines, using drones.”
The goal? To expose students, especially from rural and marginalised communities, to industries they might never have imagined entering.
A Social Enterprise with a Vision to Scale
Although Marakanelo is a PTY LTD, it operates as a social enterprise. “We do profit for good. We do business for good.”
The financial model is deliberately designed to be inclusive. Parents, even those dependent on social grants, can contribute modest monthly payments to ensure their children have access to life-changing experiences.
“We are not promoting free things… If you’ve partnered with me with your little 200 Rands, you have a sense of responsibility... that money doesn’t come easy.”
– Lesego Serekwane
The initiative is structured around a 10-year program, beginning in Grade 7 and extending to tertiary education. By 2035, Lesego’s goal is ambitious: to empower 15,000 learners to become professionals in aviation, maritime, marine sciences, or aerospace.
From Grassroots to Global Recognition
Lesego’s work hasn’t gone unnoticed. Marakanelo Travel and Tourism has been recognised by GAST (Global Aviation and Aerospace Skills Taskforce), established by the Airports Council International (ACI)—an organisation that manages over 2,500 airports globally.
“The shortage of 50,000 pilots by 2035 globally… and we just want to impact 15,000 learners. Why wouldn’t all of them be absorbed in the industry? It’s just a drop in the ocean.”
This global recognition is a testament to the potential of localised, high-impact educational travel initiatives—especially those rooted in community partnership.
The Learner Club
While tours spark interest, sustainable impact lies in continuity. Lesego is preparing to launch the Marakanelo Learner Club, where committed students will engage in ongoing training, camps, and mentorship.
“They are not only doing tours. They’re doing camps. They’re doing exposé. By the time they are in matric, we should know… who’s going to be a pilot, who’s going to be an engineer.”
Supported by a growing network of professionals and institutions—including potential partnerships with BRICS-aligned universities—the club aims to give students not just dreams, but directions.
“We must have 15,000 young people who are professionals in the industries that we promote... We didn’t just run talk shows—we actually created tangible results.”
– Lesego Serekwane
While the formal learner club is yet to launch, the results are already evident.
“We have students who are pilots today… There’s one learner, is a pilot. I think pilots are two, drone pilots—it’s three of them… And cabin crew, it’s two of them.”
These aren’t just anecdotes. They’re proof of concept.
What Sets Marakanelo Apart
In a crowded travel market, Marakanelo’s niche is clear:
“If you are ten travel agents, what makes you unique? That question always influenced how I curate bespoke events and tours. To this date, nobody’s doing it the way I do it.”
Lesego’s success lies not just in what she does, but how deeply she understands the emotional and socioeconomic barriers her learners face.
Lesego Serekwane’s journey is a masterclass in purpose-driven entrepreneurship. It’s a reminder that business can (and should) serve people first.
From battling deregistration in 2017 to re-emerging with a stronger, culturally rooted brand name. “I couldn’t get my name back… this time I chose a Setswana name… Marakanelo. It means meeting places.”
With a database-ready learner club, strategic university partnerships on the horizon, and a blueprint to expand access across South Africa’s most underserved provinces, Marakanelo is just getting started.
For any entrepreneur wondering how to build a business that matters, look no further than Lesego Serekwane’s model: Start with what you never had. Then build it for someone else.
Teagan specialises in Copywriting, Public Relations, Social Media Marketing and Blogging. Teagan uncovers the deeper “why” behind every venture. She believes that every person and project has a unique story, and nothing excites her more than transforming these narratives into compelling content that demands to be shared with the world.
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