Tokozile Xasa has been appointed South Africa’s new Minister of Tourism following a recent Cabinet reshuffle that saw former Minister Derek Hanekom being fired. Tourism Update has compiled a few key facts about Xasa to help the industry get acquainted with the new minister.

Xasa was previously Deputy Minister of Tourism for nine years from 2008 to 2017. A teacher by profession, she holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration and Psychology, a BA Honours in Public Administration, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration.

The new minister’s political career spans many years during which she held key provincial roles in the Eastern Cape.

Xasa was the first female mayor of a district municipality in the transitional period of local government in the Eastern Cape; from 2001 she served as the African National Congress Member of the Provincial Legislature in Local, Traditional Affairs, Premier’s Office, and Economic Affairs portfolio committee.

She also served two terms as provincial treasurer for the ANC Eastern Cape. She is a former Member of the Executive Council (MEC) of the Eastern Cape Provincial Government and served as MEC in a variety of portfolios including Social Development, Housing and Local Government and Traditional Affairs.

Xasa was born in Libode, a small town in the Eastern Cape and is one of seven children. She has three children – a son and two daughters.

Xasa is South Africa’s first female Minister of Tourism.