The recently dissolved board of South African Tourism is exploring various options, including potential legal action, in response to the unexpected decision made by Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille. The Minister announced the dissolution on Wednesday, citing an irregular meeting purported to have occurred on August 1 as the basis for her decision.
However, the board members were taken aback by this announcement, vigorously asserting that no such meeting took place.In a statement issued following the dissolution, the board clarified that what transpired was merely a resolution passed through electronic communication, a common practice that stipulates that board decisions can be made outside conventional meetings.
“There was no meeting of the board, whether regular or irregular; there was simply no meeting on the 1st of August. We are investigating the allegations,” the statement read.
Patricia de Lille has indicated plans to appoint one or more individuals to manage the affairs of the South African Tourism board until a new board can be assembled. In her rationale for the dissolution, De Lille stressed the board’s failure to address the legality of convening a special meeting. She noted that only the board chairperson holds the authority to call such gatherings, and the board had overstepped its bounds by appointing a member to fulfil the responsibilities of the former chair, Professor Gregory Davids, who resigned in July.
Compounding the board’s troubles, De Lille declared their precautionary suspension of CEO Nombulelo Guliwe as unlawful, adding another layer of controversy to the unfolding drama. This string of events has not gone unnoticed by the Portfolio Committee on Tourism, whose Chairperson, Ronalda Nalumango, expressed profound concern regarding the Board’s sudden dismissal.
“We, like yourselves, have heard through a statement that was released in the public domain on the dissolution of the board,” she said. “We have not had an opportunity to interrogate either the South African Tourism Board or the Minister in regards to what led to her taking such a decision.”
This tumultuous affair raises serious questions not only about the governance within South African Tourism but also about the Minister’s approach to accountability and oversight within the sector. As the board grapples with the implications of the Minister’s actions, the future of South African Tourism lies in a precarious balance, teetering between legal battles and the hope for a renewed leadership.