The board of South African Tourism has been shaken up again following removal of its Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson by Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille.

The move follows concerns about an “excessive amount of meetings” held by the board in the 2024/25 financial year, which has already chewed up 63% of the R1.44 million (€72 800) budget allocated for board fees.

In a statement, De Lille said she wrote to South African Tourism Board Chairperson Makhosazana Khanyile requesting reasons for 27 meetings in the first quarter of the financial year (March-June 2024).

De Lille said a total of 54 meetings were held up to the first week of September, accruing R900 000 (€45 500) in board fees.

She also wrote to Deputy Chairperson Lizelle Jordaan on September 3, requesting representations before deciding on their future roles on the board.

“I requested, in my letter, information on why so many meetings were necessary. I requested this information as these meetings have a direct impact on budget allocation and the meeting frequencies were excessive. The South African Tourism board Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson did not respond to my questions in their reply,” De Lille said.

On September 9, Khanyile and Jordaan were removed from their positions with immediate effect but will retain their status as ordinary board members.

De Lille has appointed Dr Gregory Davids as the new Chairperson. The Department of Tourism has yet to announce a new Deputy Chairperson.

Khanyile and Jordaan have been in their positions since February when the South African Tourism board was appointed.