04/02/2026
February marks a special milestone for Walthers as we step into our 45th year in business. Heidi and I recently paused to reflect on how far we’ve come, what has evolved along the way, and—most importantly—how we continue to shape the future.
Founded in 1982, Walthers began as a predominantly outbound-focused business. As South Africa’s political landscape shifted in the early 1990s, so did we. With remarkable foresight, our founder Klaus Walther recognised the opportunity to welcome Inbound incentive traveller to our shores and brought his daughter Heidi into the business to establish our Inbound division—well before Nelson Mandela’s release. This vision positioned Walthers as one of South Africa’s first specialist inbound DMCs.
Building on our Outbound incentive expertise, the move into Inbound incentives was a natural progression. In 1995, we were entrusted with organising an international medical conference, marking the start of a 30+ year relationship with our longest-standing client. From there, repeat business followed and this trust allowed us to expand our footprint across Southern Africa, the Victoria Falls and beyond, including Madagascar and Ethiopia.
Along the way, we’ve reached important industry milestones and broken new ground—but at the heart of everything we do are our people. We’re incredibly proud of our dedicated team, many of whom have been with us for over a decade, and a few for nearly 20 years.
Despite global and local challenges and rapid technological change, our founding values remain unchanged: integrity, authenticity, highly personalised service, and always delivering on our promises.
“Experiences with Impact” has guided us long before sustainability became a buzzword. Three of our six SITE Crystal Awards recognise our sustainability initiatives, including more than a decade of support for a school near the Kruger Park—creating a legacy that’s still felt today. We’re also proud to have recently been awarded the internationally accredited Biosphere Certification.
As we look ahead, our mission remains clear: take care of our people, who take care of our clients, while playing our part in caring for our communities and the environment. And, of course—to have fun. After 45 years, that purpose feels more relevant than ever. Here’s to the journey—and what’s still to come.
It will be a year of celebrations for the Team, but the real Celebration will have to wait until things quieten down!