Pauline Atieno Ololo, a 20-year-old powerhouse from Pretoria and founder of CaPa Wiggins Travel, is already making inroads into the tourism sector.
Ololo started her company at just 16 years without funding. Today it offers a full suite of services from corporate and leisure travel to shuttle services, team building, Airbnb management and hotel marketing.
A Unisa student armed with qualifications in travel, marketing, sales and entrepreneurship, she is determined to turn her childhood dream into a global travel reality.
“My goal has always been to make travel hassle free for everyone,” Ololo told Vutivi News. CaPa Wiggins is more than a business, but it’s about empowering youth and opening doors.”
Her company has already trained 12 university students, with five having graduated and the rest gaining practical experience.
At this year’s Africa’s Travel Indaba, the message was that the future of tourism lay in the hands of the youth. This was not only reflected in the Department of Tourism’s growing focus on youth inclusion, but also in the remarkable young leaders who showcased their work on the exhibition floor.
Ololo was among the youth exhibitors supported by the department at the indaba.
“Being here has allowed me to form valuable local and international relationships. This is an investment with a high return, not just for my business, but for our generation,” she said.
Fellow youth exhibitor Lethabo Temogo, a 22-year-old marketing coordinator and social media manager of Black Pearl Coach Charters and Tours in Gauteng, said the conference was a gateway to recognition.
“It means the world to be part of Africa’s Travel Indaba,” he said.
“Putting a face to the product builds trust. When people see who you are, they are more willing to support you. Youth can no longer be sidelined in this industry, we bring vibrancy, fresh energy and a whole new take on what travel can be.”
Temogo believes that tourism must evolve beyond traditional routes.
“We don’t have to only offer Mandela House tours or Soweto stops. There is a bigger picture. Imagine pairing a festival like Hey Neighbour with a safari or cave tour. Youth know how to merge culture, adventure, and connection.
“It’s about branching out, exploring new ideas and most importantly collaborating locally. Together, we can build something massive,” he said.
This year’s Indaba also saw government leaders championing youth inclusion, increased support, skills development and access to market opportunities.
The presence of exhibitors like Ololo and Temogo not only proved that the message was being heard, but also showed the industry what the next chapter could look like.
As Ololo puts it: “We are not waiting for doors to open, but we are building them.”
