Minister de Lille's abrupt dissolution of tourism board raises eyebrows

The sudden dissolution of the South African Tourism Board by Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille has stirred a wave of concern and questions within the tourism sector and among government officials.

Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Tourism, Ronalda Nalumango, has voiced her apprehensions regarding the minister's abrupt decision which takes effect immediately.

Reports circulating through various media outlets indicate that the minister rendered the board null and void after it allegedly overstepped its mandates.

A point of contention appears to be the board’s recent decision to appoint one of its members to perform some functions previously held by Professor Gregory Davids, who stepped down in July.

Further complicating matters, it has been reported that the board convened a special meeting without the chairperson’s invitation, purportedly contravening its own established charter.

Nalumango announced that the committee will extend an invitation to Minister de Lille for a briefing on her rationale behind the board's dissolution.

“We look forward to hearing from her about this development, particularly in light of the committee’s earlier engagement on her commitments to take South African Tourism to new heights when she marked 100 days since her appointment as minister,” she said. 

IOL