The most controversial CEO in tourism history

Dear Editor

For the first time ever, I received a response to correspondence sent to South African Tourism (SAT). The recently-appointed Chair of the SAT Interim Board, Tim Harris, replied to my correspondence where I queried the SAT Interim Board’s supportive stance for their recently-appointed Acting CEO, Nomasonto Ndlovu, despite the allegations of corruption against her.

Harris’ correspondence claims that “The interim board was not aware of the allegations at that stage” [when allegations were made public] and that the SAT Board had agreed to keep Ndlovu on as SAT Acting CEO anyway.

A simple online search will reveal that Ndlovu, who was the Tshwane strategic director of communications, marketing and events in 2014, was involved in the ill-fated Dinokeng TribeOne three-day music Festival which was scheduled to take place in Cullinan in September 2014. The festival was cancelled at the last minute, despite millions having been spent. Ndlovu left the City of Tshwane in 2017 amid investigations into allegations that over R40 million had been misused in preparation for the music concert and joined Limpopo Tourism as its CEO.

When the Limpopo appointment was made public, former mayoral spokesperson under ANC rule, Blessing Manale, wrote that “Limpopo Tourism appointed the most controversial CEO in its history. She was the chief organiser of the aborted Nicki Minaj Dinokeng Festival in Tshwane.”

Given all the controversy surrounding Nomasonto Ndlovu, I call on The Tourism Minister, Patricia de Lille, to step in and appoint a new Acting CEO. Under the circumstances, it is crucial that any appointments to SAT be completely above suspicion. After the recent Tottenham scandal, this entity cannot afford to have a CEO over whose head hangs a cloud of mismanagement and allegations of corruption.

Regards

Manny de Freitas MP
DA Shadow Minister of Tourism

BACKGROUND:

ON 9 MAY 2023 IOL reported:

The newly appointed SA Tourism acting chief executive Nomasonto Ndlovu has been implicated in bribery.

This comes after a whistle-blower called the SA Tourism hotline to report that Ndlovu had allegedly accepted a R100 000 bribe from Qatar Airlines for flights in business class, accommodation, and World Cup tickets.

According to the caller, the alleged incident happened on December 6 and 7, 2022.

On 23 November 2017 IOL reported:

Certain former colleagues of Nomasonto Ndlovu in the City of Tshwane are outraged at her appointment as the new head of Limpopo Tourism Agency.

They have pointed to her alleged role in the City’s multimillion-rand flop, the TribeOne Dinokeng Music Festival in 2014. Ndlovu was strategic director of communications, marketing and events in Tshwane.

She left the City this year amid ongoing investigations into allegations that millions misused in preparation for the three-day music concert, which had to be cancelled at the 11th hour. It was due to take place in an open land outside Cullinan.

The City had already paid a non-refundable R10 million to US hip-hop artist Nicki Minaj to perform at the event. Another R40m had already been spent on infrastructure at the 440ha of land.

Other controversial projects which flopped dismally and believed to have been undertaken under her watch included the black and green litter bins on street light poles. They were intended for cigarette butts and chewing gum and expected to generate money for the City through advertising.

In addition, ahead of the municipal elections last year, her department was accused of making City-owned billboards available for ANC advertisements free of charge. The EFF laid charges against the department and mayor at the time, Kgosientso Ramokgopa.

On her LinkedIn Profile Nomasonto (Sonto) Ndlovu says:

I have a passion for brands.

With more than ten years of classical brand marketing experience gained within the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry, specifically at Unilever South Africa, I had the honour to work on various local and global brands in various positions over the years.

I have a mixture of private and public sector experience, including working at Standard Bank, SA Tourism, City of Tswane and Limpopo Tourism. I have just joined Transnet, SA largest logistics company.