The travel industry has seen a vast increase in interest from Black women over the course of the last 5-10 years, but 2017 ESSENCE Fest Durban speaker and entrepreneur Johanna Mukoki was well ahead of the curve.

As co-founder of her company Travel With Flair, Johanna has worked alongside her two partners to grow their vision into the leading Black-owned travel management company in South Africa. The flourishing business — which started with 3 employees–has seen continued success since being established 20 years ago and currently employs over 700 people country-wide, with offices in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town.

Johanna has also garnered many notable accodlades throughout the course of her career.

Among her most remarkable of achievments, the Rhodes University graduate made history as the first person from the African continent to sit on the Global Tourism Board (ACTE) – Association of Corporate Travel Executives, where she represented the Middle East and Africa. The ACTE has members in over 86 countries and is heavily involved with the purchase and supply of travel.

In addition, Johanna named Emerging World Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young, received the Exceptional Commitment Award from the ASATA Diners Club Awards and was honored as Africa’s Most Influential Women in Business in 2014.

Outside of the boardroom, Johanna maintains a vibrant presence on social media. She shares many of her personal and business travel excursions with her followers on Instagram, revealing that she’s also quite the fashionista.

For more information about ESSENCE Festival Durban 2017, including how to plan your trip to join Johanna and a host of other influential names in business, entertainment and fashion in South Africa this September, visit the official website HERE.