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SA Government Make Statement On Proposed R1bn Tottenham Sponsor

The proposed R1-billion sponsorship from South African Tourism for Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur has been called off.

New surfaced via the Daily Maverick in January that SA tourism were close to securing a sponsorship agreement with the English top-flight side which was met which widespread uproar from the general public.

With South Africa in a deprecating economy, energy crisis and rising unemployment year on year, there’s been suggestions that state funds would be better spent in other areas from the government, to which acting CEO Temba Khumalo hit back with a fiery press conference from the SA tourism head coach a week later.

He defended their stance on the matter by claiming the Tourism Budget is meant to improve tourism as a separate entity to other avenues which the public outcry suggested from potholes, and crime, to job creation.

However, the Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille released a statement on Thursday confirming that no deal will proceed.

“Following my update to the media on 24 March 2023 on the SA Tourism and Tottenham Hotspur FC sponsorship proposal, as requested, on Wednesday 29 March 2023, I received a response from the SA Tourism Board Chairperson regarding the proposed sponsorship deal,” read part of the official statement.

“In a letter from the SA Tourism Board Chairperson, based on the advice I have given to the board and which I had publicly stated, that the deal should not proceed, the SA Tourism Board has agreed not to proceed with the proposal. The SA Tourism Board will no longer proceed with the transaction, nor will it seek the concomitant requisite approvals for the proposed transaction. 

“As stated before, in the current economic climate, the use of public funds must be carefully considered and for any department to fulfil its mandate, it must be done in a cost effective way, exploring multiple options and with due consideration for all priorities. 

“Our justification for any significant spending must still make sense in terms of the broader economic climate we find ourselves in as a country. In this regard, I look forward to continuing to engage SA Tourism’s board and executive management, as I have done in my first two weeks in office, and working with them and the Department of Tourism on strategic actions we can take to enhance South Africa’s position globally as a top tourist destination.”

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