South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, has dissolved the board of South African Tourism (SA Tourism) with immediate effect, citing unlawful conduct and governance failures linked to the recent suspension of the entity’s CEO, Nombulelo Guliwe.
This bold move follows the board’s controversial resolution on 1 August 2025 to place Guliwe on precautionary suspension – a decision De Lille has ruled as procedurally invalid and ultra vires (beyond their legal powers).
BACKGROUND: TENDER SCANDAL & CEO SUSPENSION
SA Tourism has recently been embroiled in scandal after allegations surfaced around a R100 million tender irregularly awarded to Pomme Express, a company accused of lacking credentials and providing misleading information to secure contracts for Meetings Africa 2025 and Africa’s Travel Indaba 2025.
The board’s decision to suspend Guliwe – appointed in February 2024 following a rigorous recruitment process – came just days after these allegations gained public traction.
MINISTER’S REASONS FOR DISSOLUTION
In a formal letter sent to all board members on Tuesday night, De Lille cited key legal failings:
- The board lacked a chairperson (after Prof. Gregory Davids’ resignation) and was not lawfully constituted to pass such a resolution.
- The special board meeting where Guliwe was suspended was not properly convened in line with Section 18(2) and 18(3) of the Tourism Act No. 3 of 2014.
- Only a board chairperson is legally empowered to call a special meeting, and no clarity was provided on who called the 1 August meeting.
- The board, created under Section 13 of the Tourism Act, failed to operate within its statutory limits and violated the principle of legality under the Constitution.
“The board acted prematurely, unlawfully and outside the scope of its powers,” said De Lille, confirming her decision under Section 16(1) and 16(3) of the Tourism Act.
WHO WAS ON THE BOARD?
The now-dissolved board included:
- Judi Nwokedi
- Miller Matola
- Ikaneng Pilane
- Maija de Rijk-Uys
- Tumelo Selikane
- Ayanda Mazibuko
- Jonathan Gadiah
- Lawson Naidoo
- Rachel Nxele
CEO ACCOUNTABILITY OR MINISTERIAL OVERREACH?
The Institute of Directors in South Africa (IoDSA) has expressed concern, noting the governance implications of De Lille’s move.
“It is concerning if boards fear that fulfilling their duties could lead to their own dissolution,” said IoDSA CEO Parmi Natesan, who added that King IV guidelines affirm a board’s right to appoint and, if necessary, suspend or remove a CEO – if done lawfully.
Natesan emphasised that board charters do not override legislative statutes, but warned that political intervention could undermine effective governance if not handled carefully.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
De Lille confirmed that she will:
- Appoint an interim structure in accordance with Section 16(3)(b) of the Act
- Initiate a new board recruitment process under Section 12(2)
Meanwhile, the suspended CEO, Guliwe, remains in limbo as investigations into the tender scandal and board actions continue.
This saga marks a major governance shakeup in a critical sector tasked with reviving tourism in the wake of economic downturn.
Whether De Lille’s decision is seen as accountability in action – or ministerial overreach – remains to be tested in both public opinion and legal forums.
Surely the SA Tourism board has the easiest job in the world? Why all the controversy?
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