Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu says that the tourism sector recovery is well under way. She said this upon the appointment of the new tourism board.
“We are excited at the appointment of this new board, which comprises highly skilled individuals from various sectors. Our industry is critical to the South African economy as it contributes richly to the GDP and to the lives of the people of our country,” Sisulu said.
The minister said she was confident that the incoming board was poised to oversee the entity in fulfilling its mandate of marketing South Africa as an attractive tourism destination.
South African Tourism (SA Tourism) acting CEO Mzilikazi Themba Khumalo lauded the appointment of the board as it would advance the recovery of the tourism sector and impact positively on the ideals of the National Development Plan, including job creation, advancement of SMMEs and market access for women and youth in tourism.
Khumalo thanked the outgoing board for their diligent oversight of the entity and for ensuring governance, which is evidenced in SA Tourism receiving an unqualified audit in the previous financial year.
“Our efforts are geared towards restoring South African Tourism to its rightful position of sector leadership from both a domestic and international tourism perspective, and the appointment of this new board will only advance these efforts,” said Khumalo.
Khumalo added that as the SA Tourism executive team, they looked forward to working with the incoming board and they were confident that they have the requisite skills to propel not only South African tourism, but also contribute towards the acceleration of the sector’s recovery.
Chaired by Dr Nondumiso Maphazi, the incoming board is representative of South Africa’s demographics and comprises highly skilled individuals from various professional backgrounds, including governance, marketing, financial services, strategic business leadership, tourism and the medical field.
The board is comprised of the following members:
- Dr Nondumiso Maphazi (chairperson)
- Dr Aubrey Mhlongo (deputy chairperson)
- Pretty Ntombela
- Nomahlubi Mazwai
- Odwa Mtati
- Ravi Nadesen
- Enver Duminy
- Nandipha Mzileni Mbulawa
- Mduduzi Zakwe
- Rosemary Anderson
- Lehlohonolo Rapodile
- Nonkqubela Silulwane.
The Star