Tourism Board axing risks damaging South Africa's global image - Hlumelo Xaba, governance expert

Zain Johnson (standing in for Cape Talk and 702's Africa Melane) chats to public policy and governance analyst, Hlumelo Xaba.

Listen to their conversation in the audio clip below:

Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has dissolved the SA Tourism Board with immediate effect, citing unlawful decision-making and governance failures. 

The move follows a disputed board meeting and the suspension of CEO Nombulelo Guliwe, allegedly without proper ministerial approval.

ALSO READ: De Lille dissolves SA Tourism board: 'This is political interference on steroids' - OUTA 

Xaba says the Tourism Act permits the board to convene in the chairperson’s absence under certain conditions. 

However, he explains, a dispute arose over whether due process was followed when the board appointed a temporary chair and took major decisions without ministerial oversight. 

Xaba adds that allegations of maladministration and a multimillion-rand tender scandal involving the CEO have further cast doubt on the board’s legitimacy.

He notes that persistent structural challenges, including leadership instability and past financial mismanagement, have weakened the board's credibility. 

With Tourism Month approaching, Xaba warns that such turmoil risks damaging South Africa’s global tourism image. 

"There seems to be a lot of structural challenges... There seems to be a lot that is missing in the SA Tourism Board... this doesn't look good for the image of this board that is entrusted with promoting tourism and sustainability." 

- Hlumelo Xaba, public policy and governance analyst

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