South African Tourism has extended a heartfelt welcome to Patricia de Lille on her re-appointment as Minister of Tourism and to Maggie Sotyu on her appointment as Deputy Minister of Tourism, following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of the 7th Administration National Executive of South Africa.
“We eagerly anticipate continuing our collaboration with Minister de Lille to advance and expand the tourism sector, fulfilling our mission to increase travel to and within South Africa, thereby contributing to inclusive economic growth," said Nombulelo Guliwe, CEO of SA Tourism.
Guliwe emphasised that, with international tourism expected to fully recover in 2024, driven by strong demand, enhanced air connectivity, and the continued recovery of China and other major Asian markets, SA Tourism looks forward to working with Minister de Lille to create an enabling environment for the sector's growth through collaboration with various stakeholders.
"Our country boasts natural beauty, rich culture, stunning landscapes, an incredible array of tourism offerings, warm hospitality, and quality-assured facilities and establishments,” she said.
International tourist arrivals from January to April 2024 totalled 3.2 million, representing an 11.1% increase when compared with the same period in 2023.
Outgoing Deputy
Guliwe also expressed gratitude to the outgoing Deputy Minister of Tourism, Fish Mahlalela.
"I would like to extend my thanks to Ntate Mahlalela for his leadership during his term as Deputy Minister of Tourism. As a destination marketing organisation, we greatly benefited from his support in growing our Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector, also known as business events.
“Ntate Mahlalela also spearheaded the efforts of The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA), the custodians of our nation's quality assurance and service excellence,” Guliwe said.
Who is Maggie Sotyu?
While De Lille is well known and respected by the industry, particularly for efforts to work closely with the private sector and other government bodies to address barriers to tourism and stimulate tourism growth, Tourism Update provides a glimpse into the political career of South Africa’s newest Deputy Minister of Tourism, Makhotso Magdeline "Maggie" Sotyu.
Born May 28, 1957 Sotyu’s last Deputy Minister post (prior to her new role) was Deputy Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (from 2019).
She has been a deputy minister since 2010, formerly as Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture and Deputy Minister of Police, and has represented the African National Congress in the National Assembly since June 1999.
Sotyu was elected to the National Assembly in the 1999 general election, where she represented the Free State constituency until she was included on the national party list in 2019.
Sotyu matriculated at St Matthews High School in Keiskammahoek. She later earned tertiary certificates from the University of the Western Cape and University of Dar es Salaam.
She began her political career through the apartheid-era trade union movement while working in a factory in Bloemfontein. In the 1980s, living in Phelindaba, she was the regional secretary of the Bloemfontein branch of the South African National Civics Organisation.
After the African National Congress was unbanned in 1990, she joined the party, ultimately gaining election to the Provincial Executive Committees of the ANC and ANC Women's League in the Free State.
