Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu Says She’s Yet to Be Briefed on SA Tourism R1bn Deal With UK Football Club

• Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu claims she's in the dark about a sponsorship deal with English football club, Tottenham Hotspur
• The almost R1 billion proposal suggests securing a spot on the soccer team’s jersey sleeve for the next three years
• South Africans took to social media to air out their frustrations regarding the secretive and expensive proposal with the international club

JOHANNESBURG - South African tourism may soon be a sponsor of English football club, Tottenham Hotspur, leaving citizens scratching their heads and angered.

The almost R1 billion proposal may see a 36-month-long deal being signed that would secure a spot on the team’s jersey sleeve. However, Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu is in the dark about the possible deal.

Despite claims that suggested the minister’s involvement in the sponsor deal, Sisulu’s spokesperson said she was not involved in the proposal, which would need to be passed within the ministry. The agreement would also have to be subject to National Treasury’s concurrence, TimesLIVE reported.

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The possible deal has caused an uproar on social media, with many saying the money could be put to much better use given the country’s energy crisis and other ongoing challenges.

Mzansi reacts to SA’s tourism Tottenham Hotspur sponsor

@bonganim1989 said:

“Lol... it's the timing of the deal that worries me. I mean, can't we deal with potholes that lead to tourist destinations first? Can we reprioritise before we go rogue? Why is the deal kept secret?”

@ModiselleLl commented:

“You have no lights, food and non-existent security then you want to go pay Tottenham Hotspur FC a billion rand to coerce people to come visit you. Haaai South Africa.”

@pete_carswell posted:

“First, we were going to have a REALLY big flag. Now this.”

@mikeroscoe101 added:

“Lindiwe must be getting a huge kickback and a few soccer shirts to boot for that.”

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Minister Lindiwe Sisulu distances herself from Tottenham Hotspur deal

Sisulu’s spokesperson claimed that the media report detailing the R1 billion proposal to sponsor is “riddled with inaccuracies and untruths”. eNCA reported that the deal is believed to be with the Tourism Board and the football club.

The spokesperson also claimed that the board is independent and operates without Sisulu’s interference. Sisulu is expected to be briefed on the matter.

Sisulu rubbishes claims of supporting Niehaus’ RET movement, says she won’t be used “to spread rumours”

Briefly News also reported that the Minster of Tourism Lindiwe Sisulu is not impressed with claims that expelled ANC member Carl Niehaus was recruiting the tourism minister to join his NPO, the Radical Economic Transformation Movement (Retmo).

Sisulu did not mince her words when she made her dissatisfaction clear in a spicy tweet. The tourism minister wrote:

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"Agenda-driven reporting of this nature must never be allowed to flourish. I will not allow my name to be used to spread [rumours] and untruths."

Source: Briefly News