According to Travel News, Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has revamped the South African Tourism (SAT) board by appointing seven new members with notable backgrounds in tourism and executive management. This comes in the wake of the dismissal of former Chairperson Makhosazana Khanyile and Deputy Chair Lizelle Haskins, who were removed due to concerns about the board’s financial management practices.
The newly appointed members, announced on September 27, are:
- Rachel Nxele, Vice Chairperson of SATSA
- Jonathan Gadiah, CEO of Thompsons Africa
- Judi Nwokedi, Chairperson of the Gauteng Tourism Authority
- Miller Matola, Founder and CEO of Millvest
- Lawson Naidoo, Executive Secretary of CASAC
- Siza Mzimela, Former CEO of Transnet Freight Rail
- Tumelo Selikane, Managing Director of Nielsen Sports South Africa
This leadership transition follows concerns raised by De Lille about the board’s spending habits, particularly that 63% of its R1.44 million meeting budget had already been used within the first half of the fiscal year. Citing excessive meetings as the primary issue, the minister took action, leading to the resignation of Khanyile and Haskins as general board members.
The changes have heightened concerns regarding the ongoing instability within SAT, particularly after the controversial 2023 proposal to sponsor the English football club Tottenham Hotspur, which drew significant public backlash.
Political bodies such as the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee for Tourism have expressed the need for cooperation between the newly appointed board and the ministry. DA spokesperson Haseena Ismail stressed that in order to revitalize SA Tourism, the board must prioritize strong leadership, prudent financial management, and accountability.
‘Tourism is vital to boosting investment and creating jobs,’ said Ismail. ‘Effective governance is crucial to the success of this sector. We expect further clarity on these developments and a focus on restoring stability.’
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