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October 5, 2025Starting now, Darryl Erasmus, the former chief operating officer at South Africa Tourism, will now fulfill the duties of CEO for the company. This seems to come from the decision made by the chief executive officer of the country, Pat De Lille, after dismissing the board of directors for the company due to extremely troubled waters. The new appointment certainly comes with a lot of expectations because there seems to be a lot of restructuring for the board.Erasmus, who was appointed COO in January 2025, replaces former CEO Nombulelo Guliwe, who was suspended by the previous board members. The dissolution of the board and the subsequent suspension of the CEO have raised questions within the tourism sector. Minister de Lille, in a statement from her spokesperson Aldrin Sampear, confirmed that Erasmus’ appointment as acting CEO follows recommendations made by the interim Board. This move is also seen as an effort to stabilize the leadership during ongoing legal proceedings concerning the board’s dissolution.Advertisement Minister’s Controversial DecisionThe dissolution of the previous board of SA Tourism has sparked significant controversy. Minister Patricia de Lille asserted that the board’s actions in suspending the former CEO were in violation of the Tourism Act and the Board Charter. As a result, the Minister took the step of disbanding the board, a decision that has faced strong resistance. Members of the dissolved board have since filed a legal challenge against Minister de Lille, seeking to have her decision overturned. The matter is set to be heard in the North Gauteng High Court on 14 October 2025.The legal dispute over the board’s dissolution reflects broader tensions within South Africa’s tourism leadership. However, despite the controversy, the appointment of Darryl Erasmus as acting CEO has been framed as a move to ensure continuity in leadership. His experience in the tourism sector, especially with SA Tourism’s Tourism Grading Council business unit, positions him as a steady hand during this period of transition.AdvertisementDarryl Erasmus: A Vision for South Africa TourismAs the acting CEO, Erasmus brings with him a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the tourism landscape in South Africa. Having worked as the Chief Quality Assurance Officer in SA Tourism’s Grading Council business unit, Erasmus has a track record of ensuring the quality standards of tourism establishments. His experience positions him to drive new opportunities for growth within South Africa’s tourism sector.Erasmus’ leadership comes at a crucial time for S …
