2025 Message from SATSA Chair, Oupa Pilane

As we embrace the new year, South Africa continues to enjoy its peak summer season. With the exciting news that Cape Town has claimed the top spot on Time Out's annual list of the 'Best Cities in the World,' we remain optimistic about a promising year ahead.

In my capacity as SATSA Chairperson and South African Tourism Board member, I am privileged to work with an incredible mix of people across our industry. Over the past year, we have witnessed significant shifts in government portfolios that impact our sector, and I am particularly encouraged by the positive working relationships established following these changes.

At the heart of everything SATSA does is our commitment to building strong bridges between the public and private sectors. We firmly believe that when these partnerships function effectively, they create the perfect environment for tourism to thrive and contribute meaningfully to our economy.

We commend South African Tourism's transparency regarding procurement processes and performance metrics. Despite recent media scrutiny, South African Tourism reported record-breaking performance levels of 92% at the close of December 2024, with 72% of its budget effectively utilised. An independent forensic investigation into a strategic events tender initiated in December 2024 is currently underway, underscoring our industry's commitment to accountability.

I am constantly inspired by the calibre of people I have the privilege to work with across every corner of our industry. We are united in our pursuit of shared goals that benefit everyone. The path forward is clear—we must continue fostering open dialogue, collaboration, transparency, and accountability. This is how we will elevate tourism to the next level.

I eagerly look forward to engaging with you throughout the year, whether virtually or at our various events, as we work together to make 2025 an outstanding year for tourism.