Johannesburg – Members of South Africa’s recently dissolved Tourism Board are raising R1.2 million (around E1.2 million) to fund a legal challenge against Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille’s decision to disband the body.
The board filed papers in the Gauteng High Court earlier this month, arguing that the dissolution was unlawful. The case, which calls for the reinstatement of board members, is set for 14 October. The decision followed the board’s suspension of SA Tourism CEO Nombulelo Guliwe.
Speaking at the SATSA Conference on Wednesday, 10 September, SATSA Chairperson and former board member Oupa Pilane said the move threatened ethics, governance, and accountability in the tourism sector. He urged private sector stakeholders to support the board’s crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to cover urgent legal fees. 
Pilane described the dispute as a critical issue for South Africa’s tourism industry, warning that unchecked political interference could damage investor confidence and undermine the sector’s contribution to the regional economy, including neighbouring countries such as Eswatini.
The board stated on its campaign page that legal action was necessary to protect transparency, restore integrity, and safeguard the future of tourism in South Africa.
