SA Tourism board to be dissolved after lucrative sponsorship deal

The SA Tourism board to be dissolved on Friday. Image: SATourism Website

Tourism Minister, Patricia De Lille is expected to dissolve the current SA Tourism board and appoint an interim structure on Friday.

The SA Tourism board to be dissolved on Friday. Image: SATourism Website

By: Cwenga Maqhubela

Minister Patricia de Lille is expected to dissolve the South African Tourism board on Friday, 21 April 2023.

A three-member team is expected to take over the functions of the board.

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Dissolving the current SA Tourism board

The dissolution follows an outcry over the lucrative R1-billion Tottenham Hotspur sponsorship deal.

“In all the circumstances, I believe that good cause exists to dissolve the board and I shall do so officially through the Government Gazette on Friday 21 April 2023.”
De Lille said in a statement

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She further added that the appointment of a team of three persons will assist to manage the affairs of the board until the appointment of a new board.

The three former board members from the board resigned after there was an outcry with their R1-billion plan.

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Enver Duminy, Ravi Nadasen and Rosemary Anderson resigned with immediate effect. Nadasen cited moral reasons for his departure.

Their resignation was received by the former Tourism Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu.

SA Tourism thanked the three for their service, especially Duminy and Nadasen who were serving their third terms.

Since then, the process of appointing a new board has been underway.

At the time, the then Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu said she’s unaware of any whistleblowers on the board.

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She maintained that the controversial sponsorship deal with English football club Tottenham Hotspur did not need her permission.

The board said the deal was meant to promote the country to the overseas tourism market.

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