Minister of Tourism, Patricia De Lille announced on Thursday that the Tottenham Hotspur FC sponsorship proposal worth a billion rand has officially been closed. This follows her update to the media on 24 March 2023that she had requested for the discontinuation of the dead be stopped with immediate effect.
On Wednesday, the SA Tourism Board Chairperson board finally responded to the minister, declaring a complete closure of the sponsorship; the SA Tourism Board will no longer proceed with the transaction, nor will it seek the concomitant requisite approvals for the proposed transaction.
According to Minister De Lille, the department’s justification for any significant spending must still make sense in terms of the broader economic climate that South Africa as a country finds itself.
“In a letter from the SA Tourism Board Chairperson, based on the advice I have given to the board and which I had publicly stated, that the deal should not proceed, the SA Tourism Board has agreed not to proceed with the proposal.”
“As stated before, in the current economic climate, the use of public funds must be carefully considered and for any department to fulfil its mandate, it must be done in a cost effective way, exploring multiple options and with due consideration for all priorities.” said the Minister.
Minister De Lille looks forward to continual engagement with SA Tourism’s board and executive management and the Department of Tourism on strategic actions to be taken, to enhance South Africa’s position globally as a top tourist destination.
“It is my hope that all proposals going forward will be discussed at the earliest time to ensure that myself and the department, together with our main entity SA Tourism, works together from the onset and seeks advice and support from one another while following all due processes and legislative requirements.”
‘This matter is now concluded and we will continue working together to explore all avenues, create the environment conducive for the private sector to invest and crowd in on government initiatives within the legislative framework to grow tourism, welcome more visitors to our beautiful country and create more jobs for people in this sector.” she said.
