The SA Tourism Board was dissolved after eight of its 11 members, including the chairperson, resigned amid ongoing backlash over the infamous Tottenham deal.
De Lille blames Tottenham deal for board dissolution
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille made the announcement on Wednesday, stating that she had written to the chairperson, Dr Thozamile Botha, on 6 April 2023, requesting a substantive response to why she should not dissolve the board.
However, she did not receive a response.
De Lille went on to say that she had requested Botha to respond to her in writing by 18 April 2023, explaining why the three matters raised in her letter did not constitute good cause for her to dissolve the board in terms of Section 16 (3) of the Tourism Act.
However, eight of the eleven board members resigned between 7 and 13 April, including the chairperson. The remaining three members cannot form a quorum, meaning that the board is no longer functional.
De Lille outlined a number of serious concerns about the board, including their conduct in relation to the Tottenham Hotspur sponsorship matter, the composition of the board, and certain allegations raised by the Acting CEO of SA Tourism regarding the lack of a proper functioning board.
In March 2023, De Lille blasted the proposed sponsorship deal between SA Tourism and Premier League football club Tottenham Hotspur as unlawful, despite the board’s assertion that the sponsorship had massive monetary benefits for South Africa.
Given the current economic circumstances, De Lille stressed, the importance of spending public funds wisely and prudently at all times cannot be understated.
“Given the circumstances we find ourselves in economically, we have to be much more careful and give consideration to everything that we do as government. Money must be spent wisely and prudently at all times as we are entrusted with public funds,” she said.
She stated that good cause exists to dissolve the board and that she will do so officially through the Government Gazette on Friday, 21 April 2023.
De Lille also confirmed that she will appoint a team of three persons to manage the affairs of the board until the appointment of a new board, under Section 16 (3) (b) of the Tourism Act.