THE SOUTH African Tourism board to be dissolved.
Those are the words of new Tourism minister Patricia De Lille, who confirmed the breaking news, this week.
This is in the wake of controversial deal the agency wanted to pursue in partnership with Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, worth billions.
As a result SAT board chairperson Dr Thozamile Botha and eight other board members are understood to have resigned on Monday.
De Lille confirmed she wrote a letter to the then-chairperson of the board Dr Botha, asking for a representation on why she should not dissolve the Board in terms of her powers under the Tourism Act, on April 6.
“My letter outlined a number of serious concerns, such as the conduct of the Board in respect of the Tottenham Hotspur sponsorship matter; the composition of the Board and whether the members have the necessary knowledge, experience or qualifications as required by Section 13 of the Tourism Act; and certain serious allegations raised by the Acting CEO of SA Tourism regarding the lack of a proper functioning Board.
“In my letter, I requested the SA Tourism Board Chairperson to respond in writing by 18 April 2023. I asked why the three matters raised in my letter do not constitute good cause for me to dissolve the Board in terms of Section 16 (3) of the Tourism Act.
“I have not received representations on why the Board should not be dissolved.
“I can, however, confirm that between 7 and 13 April 2023, eight of the eleven board members, including the chairperson, have resigned. The remaining three members of the board cannot form a quorum and the board is therefore no longer functional.
“I will also officially gazette the appointment of a team of three persons to manage the affairs of the board until the appointment of a new board.
This appointment is to be made under Section 16 (3) (b) of the Tourism Act.”
Former Tourism minister Lindiwe Sisulu who was behind the deal is reported to have said she’s no longer in Government, and should not be ‘bothered’.
