South Africa
De Lille dissolves SA Tourism Board─── 06:06 Thu, 20 Apr 2023
Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille has decided to dissolve the SA Tourism Board.
She says on 6 April, she wrote a letter to the then-chairperson of the SA Tourism Board, Dr Thozamile Botha, asking for a representation on why she should not dissolve the Board in terms of her powers under the Tourism Act.
"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."
