De Lille appoints interim panel after dissolving SA tourism board
image: The South African Travel News
by Kelebogile Matlou
Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille has appointed an interim panel of six members to oversee operations of South African Tourism (SA Tourism), effective Friday, until a new permanent board of directors is selected. The move follows her decision this week to dissolve the previous board after it suspended CEO Nombulelo Guliwe for misconduct.
De Lille argued that the board acted unlawfully and exceeded its authority by suspending Guliwe without following proper procedures. She said the suspension was resolved during an irregular meeting on 1 August, held without a chairperson after the resignation of Professor Gregory Davids in July.
In a statement, the Tourism Department said the interim panel members bring diverse expertise and extensive experience that will help strengthen SA Tourism’s mission to promote and grow the sector. De Lille expressed confidence that the team will ensure stability during the transitional phase.
The new leadership team includes:
- Dr. Mzamo Masito, appointed as chairperson, with over 25 years of brand-building experience and a strong background in education.
- Kholeka Zama, deputy chairperson, a Chartered Accountant with more than two decades of international corporate experience.
- Dr. Shakir Jeeva, a financial and investment specialist with extensive consulting expertise in tourism and hospitality.
- Khomotso Brian Mosehla, a Chartered Accountant with senior roles in corporate finance and organisational management.
- Siobhan Leyden, an attorney of the High Court experienced in both public and private sectors.
- Dr. Shamilla Chettiar, a veteran civil servant with 24 years in the public sector, including executive leadership roles.
De Lille also confirmed that the process to appoint permanent board members will be announced soon, with nominations open to all eligible individuals in terms of the Tourism Act.
Meanwhile, the dissolved SA Tourism Board has rejected De Lille’s claims, insisting the Minister was “mistaken” in saying they convened an irregular meeting on 1 August. The former members argued that they were addressing dysfunction within the entity, including procurement irregularities and leadership issues, and maintain that De Lille’s decision was based on factually inaccurate information.
