First the facts: If you have never heard of new Tourism Minister Mmamoloko ‘Nkhensani’ Kubayi-Ngubane’s stellar performance in the field of tourism, you will not feel alone. Previously the Minister of Science and Technology, Kubayi-Ngubane succeeds Minister Derek Hanekom; and is deputised by Fish Mahlalela as Deputy Minister of Tourism.
The announcement was greeted by tourism insiders as follows on TourismUpdate.co.za:
Gravy Train Observer says: I know nothing about this person which, after 20 years in tourism, probably indicates that it’s another start up operation at the NDT with someone who knows little about travel and tourism.
Just like SA Tourism who time and again choose CEO’s who know nothing about tourism and travel as an industry. They don’t care for the industry, know nothing about it and then continually appoint politicians to positions that need in-depth knowledge of this very complex business that extends to over 30 other industries.
We will see what happens but it don’t look good from the tourism side.
Taipan says: What a shortsighted decision. As usual the ANC is showing its despotic and thirsty side for power.
South Africa is off the world tourism radar… has anyone noticed within the ANC?
Please do tell all the people in the tourism that whoever voted ANC should not to complain if tourism in decreasing
Chris Voets is of the opinion it is “unfortunately most those voters won’t notice or care much”.
H.-J. Henckert says: AFRICAN appointments are NEVER based on competence, especially not with the ruling ANC.
Nominations are for rewarding party comrades, however incompetent and dumb they are, with the opportunity of luxury housing, free luxury cars, huge salaries, and the possibility of looting ministry funds via tenders etc. There also is no cabinet discipline. Ramaphosa has got zero say on his cabinet members.
We better do not want to know what frustrations Hanekom had with clowns like Gigaba etc.
For the industry matters will certainly not become easier with the new face in the background.
Project Management Diploma from Damelin
Grumpy is indeed grumpy when he or she says: I’ve been in the South African travel industry for the past 35 years but had never heard of this Minister. However, I Googled her and here’s the result: Ms Mmamoloko “Nkhensani” Kubayi-Ngubane served as Minister of Science and Technology (2018 – 2019). She was also the Minister of Communications from 17 October 2017 to 26 February 2018. She is a member of the ANC Youth League and member of the Gauteng Provincial Executive Committee. Ms Kubayi-Ngubane holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Vista University (2000) and a Project Management Diploma from Damelin (2002). She served as the Whip of the Parliamentary Committee on Basic and Higher Education and Training, served on the Standing Committee on Appropriations and was Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Telecommunications and Postal Services. Ms Kubayi-Ngubane was the Minister of Energy of from 31 March to 16 October 2017. I didn’t see any reference to travel industry knowledge.
B Madondo feels “we are indeed very unlucky in tourism industry. The previous minister was a blunder and again we are given another blunder. What the hell have we done on this land?”
Sharon van Wyk has some thoughts on the previous minister who is now out in the cold. “So much for Derek Hannekom’s MAJOR sucking up to Ramaphosa at Indaba this year.”
Then Grumpy makes a comeback with this one: “The Gravy Train will leave the station in five minutes. All aboard!”
Let’s see how the minister deals with her new portfolio and revisit this I about a year’s time…
