By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Tourism minister Patricia de Lille has appointed three people to manage the affairs of the SA Tourism board until the appointment of a new board.
De Lille’s announcement follows the disbandment of the board after the controversial sponsorship deal with English football club Tottenham Hotspur.
The three-year sponsorship deal to the tune of R900 million was scrapped after widespread criticism.
The three members are Kholeka Zama, Tim Harris and Vincent Mntambo former Director General in the Gauteng Government.
“Chartered Accountant Zama has a vast array of experience in the finance, auditing and governance fields at various entities including the Digital Frontiers NPC, British American Tobacco SA and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, a conservation agency with a considerable tourism portfolio.
“Harris is a tourism and economic promotion specialist, with twenty years global experience in destination marketing, economic policy, investment promotion and governance. He was previously the CEO of Wesgro, a Tourism, Trade & InvestmentPromotion agency,” said de Lille
“Mntambo also served as the Director of the Independent Mediation Service of South Africa (IMSSA), an NGO which specialised in the resolution of industrial conflict.
“I wish the appointed members well in their work and look forward to working with them and the SA Tourism Executive to stabilize the entity and pursue our objective growing inclusive tourism in South Africa.”
She added the process would begin to advertise for and appoint a new board.