Michael Madyira
Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has distanced herself from
the reported R1 billion deal amid widespread outrage.
A report by Daily Maverick revealing that South Africa was
planning to sign a R1 billion sponsorship package for Spurs triggered a wave of
outrage on social media as well as from opposition political parties.
Citing documents seen by the publication, the report claimed
the government, via its marketing agency SA Tourism, was preparing a proposal
to sponsor the Premier League outfit for three years.
Daily Maverick cited sources as informing them Sisulu was
keen for the deal to sail through before President Cyril Ramaphosa reshuffles
the cabinet.
Plans were that the sponsorship was set to be announced by
Ramaphosa during the State of the Nation Address on 10 February.
The deal with Spurs was earmarked to promote South Africa as
a leading tourist destination the way Rwanda partnered with Arsenal and Paris
Saint-Germain or Abu Dhabi's sponsorship of Manchester City.
But the tourism ministry disputed everything, saying Sisulu
is yet to be furnished by SA Tourism, with details about the proposed
sponsorship deal.
"This reported deal is purely an SAT [SA Tourism] board
matter on which Minister Sisulu has not been formally briefed by the
board," the tourism ministry said in a statement.
"Like any other board, the SAT board is independent and
Minister Sisulu does not interfere with its decisions. Essentially, the SAT
proposal is to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Tottenham
Hotspur Football Club."
South Africans are irked by the proposed sponsorship of
Spurs, some saying it was a misplaced priority for a country facing a myriad of
economic and social challenges.
Opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, described the
plan as "lunacy" and "a slap in the face of every South African
whose hard-earned tax will be used to sponsor a first-world football
team".
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