Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and President Cyril Ramaphosa Expected to Discuss R1bn Tottenham Hotspur Deal

• Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and President Cyril Ramaphosa are expected to meet to discuss the Tottenham Hotspur deal
• Sisulu met with the South African Tourism (SAT) board members where she received clarity on the matter
• Citizens took to social media to call out SAT’s almost R1 billion deal, with many saying the money should be spent closer to home

JOHANNESBURG - Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu is expected to brief President Cyril Ramaphosa on the controversial Tottenham Hotspur deal soon.

The discussion with Ramaphosa comes after Sisulu met with the South African Tourism (SAT) board members on Saturday, 4 February. The minister was fully briefed on the almost R1 billion deal.

Sisulu’s spokesman, Steve Motale, told the Daily Sun that the minister will meet Ramaphosa in the coming days. However, he added that Sisulu is still awaiting a response from the Presidency.

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The nature of the deal has sparked much discussion, with some citizens blasting the SA Tourism deal. The huge uproar has also been the backdrop for the resignation of three board members.

Enver Duminy, Ravi Nadasen and Rosemary Anderson informed Sisulu of their decision to resign with immediate effect. According to EWN, the board members’ departures follow differences of opinion.

Should the proposed jersey sleeve deal be accepted, SAT will receive kit branding, interview background branding, match-day advertising and partnership announcements. The proposal will also see training camps being hosted in South Africa along with free access to tickets and stadium hospitality.

Mzansi fed up with Tottenham Hotspur deal

@ChrisScholtz4 said:

“The fact that Ramaphosa is even entertaining the discussion under the current circumstances in SA just shows how little he cares about the suffering of citizens - the very people he campaigns to help, apparently.”

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Ramaphosa slams SA tourism’s nearly R1bn deal as unjustified, SA unconvinced: “Mr hot air and no action”

@L1tl10ld48 commented:

“These ministers are milking the people for all they can, disgusting. President Ramaphosa should think carefully about his actions!”

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Briefly News also reported that the plot is thickening in SA Tourism’s bid to invest nearly R1 billion in 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.

According to EWN, Khumalo was adamant that there were no middlemen agencies involved in the deal. The investment would be to secure a spot on the soccer club’s jersey sleeve.

Source: Briefly News