Politics

Ramaphosa Slams SA Tourism’s Nearly R1bn Deal As Unjustified, SA Unconvinced: “Mr Hot Air and No Action”

Saturday, February 04, 2023 at 9:48 AM by Lerato Mutsila

President Cyril Ramaphosa has spoken out about the R1bn sponsorship deal between SA tourism and Tottenham Hotspur
The president said that spending that much money on a deal with a foreign football deal was unjustified
A tourism expert added that the money would be better spent boosting the local tourism sector

PAY ATTENTION: Celebrate South African innovators, leaders and trailblazers with us! Click to check out Women of Wonder 2022 by Briefly News!

PRETORIA - The controversial sponsorship deal between SA Tourism and Tottenham Hotspur has South Africa in a chokehold, and President Cyril Ramaphosa is the latest person to express his displeasure.

President Ramaphosa speaks out about SA Tourism's football deal — President Ramaphosa slams SA Tourism's sponsorship deal with Tottenham Hotspur. Image: Brenton Geach & Naomi Baker
Source: Getty Images

In addition to claiming he was in the dark on the whole deal, President Ramaphosa said he didn't believe spending almost R1 billion was justified.

The spokesperson for the Presidency, Vincent Magwenya, added that the claim that Ramaphosa was going to announce the deal during the State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Thursday, 9 February were unfounded, EWN reported.

Tourism expert says the money would be better used to bolster local tourism industry

Meanwhile, a tourism expert, professor Peet Van Der Merwe from the NWU School of Tourism, told eNCA that the money from the deal could be better used in the country's local tourism industry.

PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Briefly News on your News Feed!

Van Der Merwe pointed to the South African entrepreneurs struggling to break through the tourism sector who could use the money to grow their businesses.

South Africans aren't buying Ramaphosa's claims that he didn't know about the sponsorship deal

Citizens are tired of the fact that whenever a scandal rocks South Africa, Ramaphosa claims ignorance.

Below are some comments:

@DocUnited complained:

"Mr Hot Air and No Action. FFS he’s the bloody boss. . . . or is he??"

SA Tourism saga: Another twist emerges – CFO linked to agency in Tottenham Hotspur deal to gain millions

In another story, Briefly News reported that the plot is thickening in SA Tourism’s bid to invest nearly R1 billion in the English football club Tottenham Hotspur.

The controversial move has sparked fury within the country, with many saying the large sum of money could be put to better use in South Africa. SA Tourism acting CEO Themba Khumalo addressed the media about the move on Thursday, 2 February.