On Wednesday, 1 February, Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu refuted a reported sponsorship arrangement with Tottenham Hotspur (Spurs).
SISULU REFUTES SPURS DEAL
On 31 January, Daily Maverick published From Lindiwe Sisulu, With Love: Inside SA Tourism’s R1bn bid to sponsor Tottenham Hotspur.
The South African Tourism Board offered a three-year sponsorship contract with Spurs for roughly R1 billion (£42.5 million).
Many criticized the announcement, saying the money would be better spent elsewhere.
On Wednesday, Sisulu called the piece erroneous. Despite the claim, the Tourism Minister said the SA Tourism Board has not briefed her.
The reporter incorrectly alleges Minister Sisulu is pressuring SA Tourism to hurry through the deal before she leaves the Tourism portfolio.
“Lies. Sisulu stated the SAT board has not briefed her on this supposed transaction.
The tourism department stated that Sisulu does not influence the SAT board. The department suggested a non-binding MOU with Spurs for the SAT idea.
The Tourism Ministry would review the idea before presenting it to the National Treasury.
“Minister Sisulu is awaiting a report and will be briefed by the SAT board, which is independent and makes its own decisions. This is a prank related to the government reshuffle.
“Minister Sisulu is in consultation with her legal team and will communicate the way forward in due course,” the statement added.
After sponsorship presentations were leaked, sources said the transaction was nearly finalized.
News24 stated that SA Tourism wanted the contract done before President Cyril Ramaphosa’s cabinet reshuffle, while Daily Maverick said it was anticipated the President will announce the sponsorship in his SONA on 9 February.
On Wednesday, the Democratic Alliance (DA) said it will send a delegation to Spurs to investigate the deal.
We’ll ask how this choice was made and what studies supported it. The opposition party said it would raise this issue at the next Tourism Portfolio Committee meeting.
The DA suggested using the funds to boost tourism, jobs, and the economy in South Africa.
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