The South African Tourism (SAT) will go ahead with a sponsorship deal of R1 billion with giants of English Football club Tottenham Spurs besides the news causing public outrage. SAT confirmed that the entity has conditionally approved the deal. 

NO SIGNED CONTRACT 

 At a press conference on Thursday, SAT acting CEO Mzilikazi Themba Khumalo told the media that thought he board had conditionally approved the deal, the contract has not been signed. He said a PowerPoint presentation was leaked to the press prematurely while they were still in the discussion phase. "Confidential information contained in documents was leaked to the press prematurely. Our legislative mandate is about persuading international travellers to spend their money in the country,' Khumalo said. 

POTHOLES AND LOADSHEDDING NOT SAT PROBLEM

Khumalo hit back at the public for suggesting that the money could have been used to fix the deteriorating roads and the country's energy problems. "The money that is invested in tourism is not the same money for energy or potholes, there are other departments responsible for that. We are not asking for" new money" or a fresh budget but we will be using money that was meant for smaller projects," he said. He added that SAT's mandate was to persuading international people to travel to the country and spend money in the country's economy. 

GOOD DEAL

Khumalo insisted the deal will positively influence South Africa's social landscape and has a potential of bringing in R88 billion over a period of three years.  "It's a solid business case that has got a direct impact in terms of foreign investment that comes into the country that is able to create jobs then sustain SMMEs and be able to return the dignity of a better life to our people around South Africa." Khumalo added. He also said that the deal was conditionally approved and will be presented to stakeholders such as Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and National Treasury.

A FOOLISH DECISION 

Opposition party leaders have described the deal as irrational and irresponsible. The Democratic Alliance's Manny de Freitas said the money should be used to improve SA's tourism sector to alleviate the pressure of unemployment, especially on the youth. "A delegation from the DA abroad in London will arrange to meet with representatives from Tottenham Hotspur to ascertain exactly what the status of this deal is and if any money has yet been exchanged," she said. Action SA's Herman Mashaba said he could not understand how anyone with a normal mind can think that they can get visitors and tourists into South Africa, a country where there is total lawlessness, and a total breakdown of Infrastructure. He said one can't go and spend a billion rand to promote a country that is dysfunctional and lawless. "It's foolish especially when our own sporting codes in this country are battling to really get the funding from the government, this does not really make any sense," said Mashaba.