IT IS not about football but aggregators.
These are the words of South African Tourism acting chief officer Reverend Themba Khumalo, as he addressed the controversial deal mooted between the agency and one of English Premier side’s Tottenham Hostspur and leakage of the documents.
On Thursday morning, large media contingent descended at the head office of SAT to get clarity on the billion rand deal that has the country divided, valued at £42.5 million over three years – which converts to R910 997 814.75.
It will run from February 2023 to June 2026, with the option to extend for another year.
TK as he’s known, told reporters the deal was on the verge being considered had “the leakage” not being compromised.
“Yes, talks were at advanced stage to consider it, only after consulting with all relevant parties in Gvt and tourism sector. The deal would bring tremendous ROIs close to R6bn through aggregators,” he said, as he emphasised it’s not about football but audience and brand awareness globally, and benefits associated with it.
Posed to him if the 3-year deal will go through, the acting CE said although it was not signed, the intention is still there. “Yes, we’re considering it but that will now depend on consultations to be held.”
“It’s unfortunate the information regarding the partnership was leaked ahead of time. We obtained conditional board approval for the partnership on Tuesday 31 January. On the 1st February, we appraised our shareholder, the minister of Tourism. What is now left in the process is to consult our tourism sector stakeholders and national treasury, prior to finalising anything,” says TK.
“This whole thing could have been avoided if we just had a conversation about why we are doing this. The intent of the leak was not to aid economic recovery of the country. It was something else that has got nothing to do with the mandate that is in the Tourism Act,” he says.
With unions and political party DA calling for his axing and entire board, TK was in ‘pains’ and pointed out that no third parties were involved in the discussions, following a question on whether there are people to benefit from this deal, “everything was done by my marketing team”. As for the figure mooted in the press, I have no comment as the document is private, he said.
He did confirm talks with the board began last year August and the minister of Tourism Lindiwe Sisulu was only informed later, suggesting the minister was not part of the discussion.
Upon that a tour to United Kingdom was taken for consideration and proposal was tabled, he confirmed.
At times losing his cool, TK committed that whoever is responsible for the leak, as it is strictly confidential, that particular person will face consequences..
On the reason why UK and the club, he said that was informed that in 2019 the country was the third largest source of international visitors to SA, accounting for 8.3percent with over 430 000 British tourists visiting in 2019.
“In addition to reaching the UK market, the huge reach of the English Premier League will give SA visibility in over one billion homes globally, as well as access to major markets Tottenham Hotspur players hail from, including South Korea, Portugal, Brazil, France and Nigeria, as well as countless European and other countries, where the club will participate in continental competitions and pre season tours, over the next three years.”
A source at national government confirmed President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa is against the idea and would be ‘impossible’ for treasury to go ahead with it, mentioning problems affecting the country and ailing economy.
The spokesperson for ministry of Tourism department Steve Motale, says he hopes the country now knows the truth that minister was only briefed on this proposal, she was not part of anything.
“As for imminent cabinet reshuffle and that she wanted this deal done and dusted in a huff, it’s all utter lies,” the former The Citizen Editor, told this reporter.
