By Bonolo Molatlhegi Caption. Kamogelo Lempe’s research, a breakthrough to many South Africans A postgraduate tourism researcher at North-West University, is reshaping the way South Africa understands travel. His study on the travel culture of Black urbanites is being hailed as a breakthrough in a field that has long overlooked the lived experiences of the country’s majority. Beyond data and theory, Kamohelo Lempe’s work is a form of reclamation, a challenge to who gets to travel, who gets studied, and whose stories define the national narrative. “The motivation was the glaring gap in how our travel habits are represented. We’ve been visible as consumers, yet invisible as subjects of study,” Lempe said. He said his findings paint a picture of complexity, revealing that post-apartheid Black travellers are diverse and deeply connected to the meanings behind their journeys. “Since the end of apartheid, participation in leisure travel among Black urbanites has grown steadily. “But we’ve often been misunderstood generalized as budget-conscious group travellers, when in fact our travel styles are as diverse as our identities.” For Lempe, travel culture extends beyond movement. It is about belonging and representation. His study examines six dimensions shaping this culture, from socio-economic mobility and digital engagement to inclusivity in tourism marketing. He argues that travel has become an act of agency, allowing Black South Africans to assert their place in a landscape still shadowed by inequality. “It’s about belonging. About seeing yourself reflected in tourism spaces, and about feeling that these spaces were made with you in mind.” Through interviews, surveys, and focus groups, Lempe identified two distinct traveller archetypes: the meticulous planner and the spontaneous explorer. This segmentation disrupts long-held stereotypes, showing that class, culture, and digital influence intersect in unique ways to shape modern travel habits. At the heart of his study lies an uncomfortable truth: race and class continue to determine access, comfort, and visibility in tourism. “For many Black travellers, the barriers aren’t just financial. They’re psychological and spatial. There’s still a sense that certain spaces are not meant for us,” he said. His findings call for transformation in policy and industry. “Tourism must move beyond glossy marketing. It must tell honest stories that reflect the lives of all South Africans not just those who can afford five-star experiences,” he said. Supported by the NWU Masters Bursary, the Department of Tourism, and academic mentors, Lempe views his work as a collective effort rooted in justice and empathy. “If we can understand how Black South Africans travel, we can understand how we heal, travel isn’t just movement it’s memory, identity, and freedom unfolding,” he said. Post navigation Standard bank honours SA’s top women
