Tourism Minister Patricia De Lille Dissolves SA Tourism Board, South Africans Displeased
- The Minister of Tourism, Patricia De Lille, dissolved the SA Tourism Board with immediate effect and informed them on 19 August 2025
- In a statement she released, de Lille explained that the board convened an illegal special board meeting in August
- The board then placed SA Tourism CEO Nombulelo Guliwe on suspension, and South Africans weighed in
With 10 years of experience, Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist, has provided insights into infrastructure challenges and state-owned enterprises in South Africa, having worked at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News.
Source: Getty Images
PRETORIA, GAUTENG — The Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, announced on 20 August 2025 that she dissolved the SA Tourism Board on 19 August.
In a statement the department released, De Lille explained that the decision was taken after the board failed to follow due process when it placed SA Tourism CEO Nombulelo Guliwee on suspension following the resignation of Professor Gregory Davids as the chairperson in July.
De Lille said that the board did not follow procedure after it convened a special meeting. She added that only a board chairperson has the power to convene a special meeting, and since Davids resigned as the chairperson, the board acted unlawfully. She added that she will appoint a small group of people to sit on the board until the expelled members are replaced.
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SOE boards that were dissolved
The former Minister of Higher Education, Dr Blade Nzimande, dissolved the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) board on 11 April 2024 after its chairman, Ernest Khoza, resigned. He also announced that he placed it under administration as it faced a myriad of issues, including governance issues and allegations of corruption.
The Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, dissolved the Road Accident Fund board on 15 July 2025. Creecy said her decision was prompted by the various challenges the board faced, including operational and governance challenges. She also said the reckless handling of the suspension of its CEO, Collins Lestoalo, was another factor that influenced her decision.
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What did South Africans say?
Netiens discussed the board's dissolution.
Cbisa Shabangu said:
"Ramaphosa must also dissolve the dysfunctional parliament, please, and call for fresh elections."
Rodger French said:
"The damage was done long ago, Patricia."
Gregoire Eric Snyman asked:
"Wasn't it this lot that paid that idiot Trevor Noah R35 million for an advertisement where he said a couple of words?"
Camanga Kubayi said:
"Yet the money is still gone, and no one to answer the questions. This may sound like good news, but it's a cover-up by her actions, too."
Desire van der Merwe said:
"So they fall one by one. The gravy train has its limits."
DA calls for Joburg Water Board to be dissolved
In a felated article, Briefly News reported that the Democratic Alliance called for the Johannesburg Water board to be dissolved. The DA spoke to Briefly News in an interview on 20 November 2024.
The DA's Nicole Van Dyk said that the Johannesburg Water board only has one engineer and no accountants, risk managers, or asset managers. She also said that poor governance has exacerbated the city's water crisis.
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Source: Briefly News
