Dissolved SA Tourism Board Crowdfunds R1.2 Million For Court Battle

The fight for the future of South Africa’s tourism leadership has spilled into the courts, with the dissolved SA Tourism Board calling on the public to help fund their legal challenge.

The Call For Support

At the SATSA Conference 2025, former board members revealed they are turning to crowdfunding platform BackaBuddy to raise R1.2 million for urgent legal fees. They hope the funds will bolster their case in the Gauteng High Court, where they are challenging Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille’s controversial decision to dissolve the board.

Oupa Pilane, SATSA Chairperson and former board member, told delegates that the case is about more than personal positions. “This is about ethics, accountability and the future of South Africa’s tourism industry,” he said, urging the private sector to rally behind the cause.

Why It Matters

Tourism is one of South Africa’s economic lifelines, employing thousands and drawing international visitors who contribute billions to the economy. The former board argues that Minister De Lille’s intervention undermines governance and transparency at a critical time. Their removal followed the board’s suspension of SA Tourism CEO Nombulelo Guliwe, a decision that sparked political friction.

If unchallenged, the board claims, this precedent could damage investor confidence and cripple an industry already under pressure. The case will be heard on October 14.

Social Media And Public Reaction

The crowdfunding campaign has sparked a lively debate online. Some South Africans are sympathetic, viewing the fight as a stand for good governance. Others question why ordinary citizens should foot the bill for a boardroom battle, when public funds and jobs in tourism are already stretched.

On X , one user posted: “We can’t let politics destroy tourism, but why must citizens bail out board members?” Another wrote: “Tourism is everyone’s business – if accountability falls, so does our economy.”

The Bigger Picture

This dispute highlights deeper tensions between political authority and institutional independence in South Africa. It also raises questions about how governance decisions can ripple into sectors like tourism, which rely heavily on stability, credibility and international confidence.

As the October court date approaches, the outcome of this case will not just decide the fate of a dissolved board. It could set the tone for how government and industry balance power, accountability and the country’s global image.

Source:Tourism Update 

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com