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Information provided by a whistleblower indicates that the South African Tourism (SAT) Board Chairperson, Thozamile Botha, has resigned from the SAT Board. This is as a result of the R1 billion Tottenham Hotspur debacle.

Apparently Minister De Lille had written to the SAT board on 6 April 2023 requesting the board to provide reasons by 18 April 2023 as to why it should not be dissolved.

In written correspondence to Minister De Lille, last month, I explained that after 3 resignations at the beginning of February, Lindiwe Sisulu had appointed the replacement board members just 4 days later. The Tourism Act is clear about how SAT board members ought to be appointed, clause 13 (3) prescribes that the Minister must invite nominations and publish this in the Government Gazette for a minimum 30-days and in two national newspapers. The same must be done after Board members have been appointed.

We hope that this is an indication that Minister De Lille is “cleaning up” the mess that her predecessor created. It is a step in the right direction for the tourism sector and subsequently the economy and job creation.

Issued by Manny de Freitas MP - DA Shadow Minister of Tourism