I have been advised by a whistleblower that the chairperson of the South African Tourism (SAT) Board, Dr. Thozamile Botha, wrote to the Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, complaining that she cancelled the proposed Tottenham Hotspur sponsorship deal. This complaint comes despite a public outcry against the deal, the unanimous opposition of the multi‑party Tourism Portfolio Committee, and a plethora of unanswered questions.
In his letter, Botha insisted that the SAT Board had approved the deal at its meeting at the end of January. He further claimed that the Minister had “pre‑empted the response to the required approval” by Treasury. Setting aside the arrogant stance displayed by Botha, it is clear that he and the rest of the SAT Board remain tone‑deaf on this matter. R1 billion cannot be justified when the money would be better spent repairing the many dilapidated and unmaintained tourism sites that, once restored, would attract visitors interested in those attractions, create jobs, and boost the economy.
Ironically, Botha complained about the Minister’s lack of “consultative processes” while the SAT Board itself undertook no consultation on the issue. Since Patricia de Lille’s appointment as Tourism Minister, the SAT Board has not communicated with her or requested a meeting. Botha bemoaned the fact that de Lille went public with her decision to cancel the deal, displaying another instance of arrogance given that the SAT falls under the National Department of Tourism, the sole shareholder.
These circumstances underscore the need for a Parliamentary Inquiry, especially in light of the SAT Board’s blatant insistence that the deal proceed despite united opposition across South Africa. Why do Botha and his board persist in pushing this deal forward, and what other unanswered questions remain? These matters must be addressed.
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