In a significant leadership reshuffle, the South African Tourism Board’s Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson were ousted by Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille.
This marks another major change within the organization as the government looks to revamp the country’s tourism strategy.
According to travelnews.co, the move follows concerns regarding an “excessive amount of meetings” held by the board in the 2024/25 financial year, which has already chewed up 63% of the R1,44 million budget allocated for board fees.
In a statement, De Lille said she had written to SA Tourism Board Chairperson Makhosazana Khanyile asking for reasons why 27 meetings had been held in the first quarter of the financial year (March to June 2024).
READ: Africa: South African Tourism Congratulates Minister Patricia De Lille On her re-appointment by President Ramaphosa
De Lille said a total of 54 meetings had been held up to the first week of September, accruing R900 000 in board fees. Â
She subsequently wrote to Khanyile and Deputy Chairperson Lizelle Jordaan on September 3, asking them to make representations before deciding on their future roles on the board.
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“I had requested in my letter that they provide information on why so many meetings were necessary. I had requested this information as these meetings have a direct impact on budget allocation and because the meeting frequencies were excessive. The SAT Board Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson did not respond to me on these questions in their reply,” said De Lille. Â
On September 9, Khanyile and Jordaan were removed from their positions with immediate effect, but will retain their status as ordinary board members.
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De Lille has appointed Dr Gregory Davids as the new Chairperson. The Department of Tourism has yet to announce a new Deputy Chairperson.   Khanyile and Jordaan have been in their positions since February, when a full SA Tourism board was appointed
