The Institute of Directors in South Africa (IoDSA), while commending the Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille for taking the governance of board meetings seriously, has noted several nuances around this move.
Earlier this month, De Lille suspended the Chairperson, Makhosazana Khanyile , and Deputy Chairperson, Lizelle Haskins from the leadership of the South African Tourism board following concerns about an excessive number of meetings held by the board in the 2024/25 financial year, which has already chewed up 63% of the R1.44 million (72800) budget allocated for board fees.
De Lille said at the time that a total of 54 meetings had been held up to the first week of September, accruing R900000 (45500) in board fees.
Khanyile and Haskins, who have since resigned from the board, have announced their intention to sue De Lille for defamation.
The two said in a joint statement that the meetings included board induction sessions, ordinary board meetings, meetings with the Minister, portfolio committee meetings, special board meetings and ordinary committee meetings for the four committees: marketing, audit and risk, human capital, and remuneration and awards.
