The Department of Tourism’s intention to shell out R33 million for a five-minute promotional video in which the comedian and presenter Trevor Noah appears is drawing heavy criticism.
The parliamentary portfolio committee on tourism appealed to the department to abandon the idea.
However, Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille defended the project and argued that the Tourism Board of South Africa would finance it.
Tandi Mahambehlala, chairman of the committee, compared the proposal to the recent controversial Tottenham Hotspur marketing strategy and appealed to the department to abandon it. She also warned SA Tourism that the Tourism Affairs Council’s tourism marketing levies should not be used as a slush fund to commit financial evil.
The committee also learned that no discussions are being held with Springbok captain Siya Kolisi with a view to promoting tourism on international platforms, although he is currently the brand ambassador for SA Tourism.
