Our People
We Are Family
From senior management to junior staff, we pride ourselves on being a hands-on, close-knit team, each person imbued with a strong sense of personal ownership. We know that efficient, knowledgeable, caring service is the finest means of ensuring long-term relationships with our customers.
We Are Reliable
We have worldwide offices and representation in China, Singapore, Tokyo, Osaka and Europe.As part of the global The Travel Corporation family, we are known for our reliability and financial solidity. It’s an ethos reflected in the fact that in a sector known for high employee turnover, our average staff tenure is ten years — a further guarantee of experience and professionalism.
Management Team
Jonathan Gadiah
Chief Executive Officer
It’s a privilege and an honour to have already been a part of the Tourism Industry for 22 years and I look forward to many more exciting years ahead. Starting at grass root levels, I’m grateful for every opportunity I’ve been given while working my way up the ranks to my current role as CEO. Great respect and acknowledgment to all those who guided and mentored me on this incredible journey. People are assets to any organisation and here at Thompsons Africa, we are no different. I am proud to be part of a super, amazing team and relish the thought of coming to work every day. I often remind our people that they are not just admin staff in a corporate office but rather, are responsible for making other people’s dreams come true…. what an incredible responsibility and opportunity to make a lasting impression on any guest visiting our shores. Southern Africa is still viewed as an exotic destination. What a privilege that we live and work in this remarkable place! To quote Earl Nightingale ‘The biggest mistake you can make is to believe that you are working for somebody else. The driving force of a career must come from the individual and people need to remember that jobs are owned by the company, but it is you that owns your career’.
Ali Abdullah
General Manager: Cape Town
Born, raised and educated in Cape Town, and like most Capetonians, I am a relaxed and outgoing person that enjoys all of the nature and beauty that surrounds us. I completed school in 1994, the year of our democracy, and have revelled in the opportunities that have followed. My passion for tourism started in 1999 when given the opportunity as a temporary driver for Thompsons Africa, mainly doing airport transfers. A few months later I was offered a permanent position that allowed me to completed courses in Cultural guiding, the Wine Industry, Fauna and Flora of South Africa. One of my highlights as a guide, was visiting and completing a service level course with The Disney Company in Orlando. I was then chosen to be one of only 2 South African Guides to lead Adventure by Disney Guests around South Africa. I currently lead a team that manage customers, and all their requirements, from Asia, Africa, Middle East, GCC countries and Russia. I continue to dedicated myself to ensuring that every guest experiences the best our amazing piece of Earth has to offer.
Adele Saunders
Human Resources Manager
It is amazing how our happiest moments in life seem to come when we stumble upon something while pursuing something else! That is how I found myself following two of my greatest passions: My passion for people and for the travel and tourism industry! After completing my studies in Industrial Psychology, I was blessed with amazing career opportunities and fulfilled Human Resources roles for companies in various industries, both in-house and as consultant. When I joined Thompsons Africa I just knew that this is where I wanted to stay, and 10 years later I am proud to still call it my home. Being able to be the caretaker of Human Resources and be part of this progressive team that introduces people from all over the world to Southern Africa’s beauty, charm and adventure is priceless.
Darren Shea
Chief Financial Officer
I have been part of the Thompsons Africa family for the past 15 years where I am still filled with the same excitement and enthusiasm that I felt when I walked through the door of this great company for the first time. For me it offers a person endless opportunities to grow not only in knowledge, but as a person, where the boundaries of our roles are only defined by our own efforts and imagination.
For me, tourism is a way of life and allows us to be part of the most memorable experiences that the world has to offer. I feel extremely privileged and grateful to be working in such a dynamic business and industry with people whose love and passion for tourism is demonstrated on an ongoing basis through the truly wonderful experiences that are created and become a reality to many.
For me, tourism is a way of life and allows us to be part of the most memorable experiences that the world has to offer. I feel extremely privileged and grateful to be working in such a dynamic business and industry with people whose love and passion for tourism is demonstrated on an ongoing basis through the truly wonderful experiences that are created and become a reality to many.
Renier Friis
General Manager: Sales, Contracting & Proposals
From a young age I loved travelling and that is how I ended up studying Tourism Development and eventually also getting my Honours degree in the same field. I have now worked in the industry for over 16 years and my passion has just grown over the years. To make other people’s dreams come true really drives my passion for this industry, as well as connecting with our amazing industry partners and staff at Thompsons Africa. My experience over the years has taught me that this is a people driven industry from the end consumer all the way down to the receptionist at the hotel or lodge who finally greet our guests as they arrive. Nothing gives me greater pleasure to be a part of this amazing chain and making peoples dreams a reality.
Ryan Thole
General Manager: FIT
I joined Thompsons Africa 18 years ago, coming from a finance background. I accepted the job in the Reservations team only as a foot in the door with the hopes of joining the finance department. Once I joined this fast paced Reservations team, I knew I was where I wanted to be and not just working with numbers anymore. I have enjoyed making people’s dreams come true and also my own by having to travel the world and visit customers as well as experience different cultures from around the globe. Thompsons Africa has afforded me opportunities that I never thought I could achieve, both personal and career wise and I will continue to carry our flag across the globe.
Viki Haasbroek
Marketing Manager
I quite accidentally ‘fell’ into travel and tourism when I moved to Cape Town, joining a luxury lodge in their marketing department and just like that, the travel and tourism bug bit! A few years later in Johannesburg I joined a tour operator and when I relocated back home to Durban, was very excited to join Thompsons Africa in their marketing department. Now, 15 years later, I am still here as Marketing Manager where I am the custodian of all things marketing and brand related. It is such a privilege to be a part of a team of wonderful colleagues whose passion is to turn dream trips into dreamy experiences.
Sales
James Hassan
Inbound Sales Manager: India, South East Asia, Middle East, Russia, Africa
Johanna Zerbib
Key Accounts Sales Manager: Europe, LATAM and Indian Ocean Islands
My dream came true when I arrived in South Africa in August 2015 to look after the French Market. I’m French, from Nice, and was in the Hotel industry for 10 years before coming here. I travelled quite a lot, but I can definitely say that South Africa is unique with its rainbow nation and rainbow countryside. I just fell in love with the country and the culture, and I’m so proud and blessed to be able to sell it to my compatriots.
Naiomi Perumal
Sales & Contracting: Europe & Germany
Samantha Kisten
Sales & Contracting: United Kingdom & Ireland
Serina Pillay
Sales & Contracting: North America & Australasia
My career in Travel and Tourism began almost 18 years ago in 2005. After completing my qualification in Financial Management, I joined Thompsons Africa in the Finance Department - the start of my amazing adventure! Two years later I changed direction and moved into the Operations department where I spent time learning, growing and expanding my knowledge.
Since then, I have been presented with incredible opportunities in the Procurement, Proposals, Reservations and Sales Departments. I am passionate about our amazing industry, one that I am so privileged to be involved in. I love working with our industry partners and truly appreciate the wonderful relationships that we build along the way! I am immensely proud to be a part of the Thompsons Africa Family!
Since then, I have been presented with incredible opportunities in the Procurement, Proposals, Reservations and Sales Departments. I am passionate about our amazing industry, one that I am so privileged to be involved in. I love working with our industry partners and truly appreciate the wonderful relationships that we build along the way! I am immensely proud to be a part of the Thompsons Africa Family!
