The Democratic Alliance (DA) has painted the proposal as another "glitz and glamour ploy" by the Minister of Tourism, Lindiwe Sisulu. The DA’s Shadow Minister of Tourism, Manny de Freitas, is of the view that should the plan see the light of day, it will be a slap in the face of taxpaying citizens and to the local sports fraternity, particularly the soccer sector, which does not receive much-needed funds.

De Freitas says that the government, through its marketing agency, SA Tourism, hopes their plan with Tottenham Hotspur will attract tourists to the country. He adds that the money could instead be spent locally to improve the tourism sector and create jobs that will contribute to the growth of the country’s economy. 

In an attempt to stop the abovementioned plan, a DA delegation abroad will go to the Tottenham Hotspur football club in London to ascertain the exact status of the deal and if any money has exchanged hands.

ActionSA has also expressed its views on the proposal, stating that it comes at a time when the country is facing an unprecedented energy crisis and rampant crime. The political party stands by the view that state resources should be used to address the most pressing needs in the nation.

'Expensive PR campaign with questionable benefit'

"If we want to attract sustainable tourism to the country, we need to start by fixing these issues – not just with an expensive PR campaign with questionable benefit," says the party in a media statement. The money that has been allocated to the proposal is allegedly worth 36% of SA Tourism’s overall budget. Both political parties are of the view that this is a move by Sisulu before she is reshuffled in cabinet in the near future. 

However, Sisulu has denied being part of the proposal. According to her, the proposal under consideration is a Tourism Board matter on which she has not been briefed.

'Political agenda'

In a media statement, she explains that the matter at hand is aimed at tarnishing her image. "There is no doubt the report seeks to drive a political agenda rather than inform the public truthfully in line with journalism's ethos," reads the statement. The statement also clarifies that, like any other board, the SA Tourism board is independent, and she does not interfere with its decisions.

The process by which the proposal process works, is explained as follows:
1. SA Tourism receives proposals
2. Proposals are processed by a project team
3. Proposals are sent to the executive committee before being presented to the SA Tourism board.

According to the statement from Sisulu’s office, the SA Tourism proposal is to conclude a memorandum of understanding with the Tottenham Hotspur football club and is non-binding. Such a proposal must still pass muster within the Tourism Ministry and is subject to the concurrence of the National Treasury to conform to government prescripts.

"With regard to this matter, Sisulu is still waiting for a report and to be briefed by the SA Tourism board as they are independent and take their own decisions on various matters. It is mischievous to relate this to the imminent cabinet reshuffle."

Football club confirms sponsorship

The football club published an announcement on its website yesterday, confirming that a new three-year shirt sponsorship deal has been reached with the South African government, which is reported to be worth a total of £42.5 million (R896,593,600). "The new sponsor will appear on the lilywhite shirt sleeves and represents an increase from the club's current $10 million (R210,963,200) per year deal with online car dealer Cinch.

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