R1 billion to partner with Tottenham Hotspur? Almost the total marketing and operations budget of SA Tourism. What an irresponsible consideration of taxpayer funds. We’re already a well-known and leading destination in Africa.
Triumph over apartheid, Nelson Mandela, Rugby World Cup 1995 and R50bn investment in FIFA 2020 South Africa did a better job for raising visibility and credibility of brand SA and making SA no. 1 tourism destination in Africa.
We don’t need visibility or a reminder of the destination. Rather we need to invest in safety for travelers, consistent electricity, upkeep of infrastructure and digital innovation across all services. This is just a ‘’me too” strategy that Rwanda did well with Arsenal for $25m, Mauritius with Liverpool for £2m and Malawi with Leganes in Spain last week for $0.
We used to be THE leading and not copycat or follower nation in Africa. A R1bn for a premiership team that’s not even won league or anything substantial in 30 yrs? The implied parallels with the state of our nation leave no imagination.
It’s a vanity investment that shows we’re now truly out of touch with the reality of SAns battling crime, unemployment, inequality and under-education. Mxm. Let’s hope this is a mischievous political, media or other stunt. Not a reality. Irrespective, if it’s even in anyone’s consciousness, these are my views as a (hopefully) informed and concerned South African.
Writes Thebe Ikalafeng
