Media Release 9 December 2010

Jojo Tsheola has an inspiring story to tell.  Having started his own tour operating company from scratch in 2007, he has enjoyed enormous success, going from strength to strength.  His most recent milestone was the purchase of two coaches to add to his transport fleet of microbuses and sedans, to meet the ever-increasing demand of transport needs for both the local corporate market, as well as overseas visitors.

Minbuses belonging to Jojo Tsheola, Johannesburg tour operatorResponsible for SMME development in the tourism sector, the Visitor Services Bureau (VSB) team at Johannesburg Tourism Company  (JTC), first encountered Jojo at the massive TD Jakes, MegaFest in 2008, where Jojo was responsible for the VIP transport.  Impressed with Jojo’s drive, determination, positive outlook – and above all – exemplary professionalism, they worked to facilitate business linkages and supplier opportunities for him.  In 2009 Jojo was named winner of the Gauteng ETEYA* Award (and national first runner-up for ETEYA 2009/2010)  for emerging entrepreneurs.  Since then his business has continued to expand.  More recently Tsheola Dinare were named as finalists at the Africa Growth Institute 2010 SMME awards.

As Founder and Director of Tsheola Dinare Tours & Transport, 31 year old Jojo describes himself as “a self-driven, results-oriented person with a positive outlook and a clear business focus on profitability.”  He is a natural forward planner, who critically assesses his own performance to achieve excellence.  Jojo was also part of the team which founded the Gauteng Tour Operators’ Association (GATOA), currently serving as the organisation’s treasurer.

Although he completed high school in 1996, Jojo was unable to advance his education and struggled to secure employment for a few years.  He eventually landed his first job – as a cleaner for Shongololo Express Train 1999.  Within a two year period, he was presented with an opportunity to drive a tour vehicle alongside a professional tourist guide.

“That’s when I learned more about the tourism industry and through training, I later became a certified tourist guide.  I dearly loved Shongololo Express, but sadly they decided not to renew my contract for 2005;  it was a heart-breaking experience for me because I wasn’t given a specific reason for this decision.  There and then I decided that I would never be dismissed again.  Instead of returning to the job market, I got involved in various tour operating projects. I had discovered a passion for tourism – I used the free time to  conduct research and identified a gap for improved quality services in the tour operating field.  This led to the formation of Tsheola Dinare Tours in 2007, with a service offering of guaranteed quality, convenience and flexibility.”

Tsheola Dinare is 100% black-owned tour operating company.   “Our aim is to offer the industry a real choice when it comes to tours and corporate shuttles, along with world class services in private transport hire.  We offer various customised travel packages designed to give client’s choice and superior service.” Services offered by Tsheola Dinare Tours & Transport include corporate travel (travelling to meetings, conferences, team building exercises, executive management and board meetings), luxury coaches, a shuttle service and private VIP travel services.   The company employs trained tourist guides and drivers who not only understand their market, but are completely flexible and responsive to their customers’ needs.   Their impressive international client list includes:  Venter Tours (Germany), Johnson Controls (UK), Link Market Services (Australia), as well as local leading corporates like ABSA Business & Corporate Bank, Walthers DMC and Mbombela Gautrain.

Jojo prides himself on his entrepreneurial flair and is committed to continually expanding his horizons through new opportunities – both within South Africa, and beyond its borders.   “I plan to mentor young entrepreneurs who are still starting out.  We aim to continue our profitable growth and to develop satellite offices as business opportunities are secured in the forthcoming two year period,” explains Jojo.  “This is part of my vision to ensure that Tsheola Dinare contributes to the creation of sustainable jobs within the South African tourism sector.”

* ETEYA – Emerging Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year Awards

Released by: Johannesburg Tourism Company
Laura Vercueil
Tel: +27 11 214 0700
aurav [at] joburgtourism [dot] com
Info Line :  0860 333 999