SA Tourism's acting chief executive officer Themba Khumalo during a press briefing on 2 February 2023. Photo: Michel Bega/The Citizen
The Acting CEO of SA Tourism stepped down from the post amidst the uproar and eventual cancellation of the contentious R1 billion Tottenham Hotspur sponsorship deal.
Themba Khumalo had served the agency as chief marketing officer for four years and as acting CEO for 17 months.
According to SA Tourism spokesperson Zara Nicolson, tourism minister Patricia de Lille was informed of Khumalo’s resignation by the agency’s Board.
De Lille noted the resignation and wished Khumalo well in his future endeavours.
In February, three SA Tourism board members – Enver Duminy, Ravi Nadasen and Rosemary Anderson – resigned with immediate effect.
The board’s chairperson Dr Aubry Mhlongo didn’t provide any details for their sudden departure.
As of April, 11 board members including the chairperson at the time, Dr Thozamile Botha, had resigned.
The resignations followed after SA Tourism received criticism for the contentious Tottenham Hotspur deal, with the agency accused of being tone-deaf and out of touch with reality.
Khumalo initially countered by saying the R1 billion deal would see a good return on investment of nearly R88 billion (although he didn’t clarify how), and bring 21 million travellers to our shores by 2030.
De Lille declared the deal as ‘unlawful’ in March, citing South Africa’s unstable economy.
“We have to be much more careful and give consideration to everything that we do as government,” she said.
“Money must be spent wisely and prudently at all times as we are entrusted with public funds.”
READ: Here’s why 3 key SA Tourism board members resigned
This is a developing story, more to follow.