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SA Tourism's three-year multimillion-pound deal to sponsor English Premier League team Tottenham Hotspur is being opposed by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said Ramaphosa had yet to be briefed about the proposal and had no plans to announce it during the State of the Nation Address in February.

"Even though the Presidency has not been briefed, we do not think spending so much money in the manner that is being suggested will be justified," Magwenya added.

SA Tourism proposed a three-year deal with the English Premier League side, worth £42.5-million (about R900-million), starting at the beginning of the 2023/24 season and ending at the end of the 2026/27 season.

In exchange for the whopping investment, SA Tourism will receive kit branding, interview backdrop branding, match-day advertising, partnership announcements, training camps in South Africa, and free access to tickets and stadium hospitality.

This was first reported by Daily Maverick.

During a media briefing on Thursday, acting chief executive officer Themba Khumalo defended the deal, saying they expected the backlash.

"When you do something new and innovative, heroes and villains are the same person," Khumalo said.

"The positive thing is that we're all engaged in terms of how to recover the tourism sector. We're of the view that when you do something innovative, this will happen.

"We were prepared for it, and we were sticking to our strategy, objective and mandate that's outlined in the Tourism Act," he added.

The Patriotic Alliance's Kenny Kunene will be sworn in to the Johannesburg council, executive mayor Thapelo Amad confirmed.

Amad is set to announce his executive on Thursday afternoon, and Kunene will be sworn in ahead of that announcement.

Amad became City of Joburg mayor after Friday's successful vote of no confidence in the Democratic Alliance's Dr Mpho Phalatse.

Former president Jacob Zuma's private prosecution of State advocate Billy Downer and News24 journalist Karyn Maughan has been postponed to 4 August.

It took the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg less than a minute to postpone the matter to accommodate Maughan's pending application to have the private prosecution set aside.

Zuma made his first appearance in court as the private prosecutor on 10 October, last year. He alleges that Downer and Maughan contravened a section of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Act that prohibits NPA employees from disclosing private documents to members of the public.

The document that's central to the private prosecution is a letter that his military doctor, Mcebisi Mdutywa, had written to the State ahead of his corruption trial, while he was in Estcourt Prison, to say that he had to be transported to Pretoria for urgent medical surgery for treatment for a "traumatic injury" he had suffered a year before.

The letter was attached to court papers the State and Zuma had filed ahead of the case. Maughan asked the State's counsel for a copy of the papers. After counsel electronically filed the papers with the court, Maughan received a copy.

She published a story on News24, quoting both sets of court papers and the Mdutywa letter, which also formed part of the papers filed by Zuma's own lawyer, which were public documents.

The letter is not a medical record. Instead, it is a doctor's note informing the court of Zuma's transportation to a Pretoria hospital for urgent surgery following a "traumatic injury" he suffered in the past.

Maughan wants the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg to scrap the private prosecution.

She outlined three core reasons, including the fact that Zuma did not obtain a nolle prosequi certificate against her.

A nolle prosequi certificate is a document that states the NPA does not intend to prosecute someone - a requirement for a private prosecution.

Maughan also contends that Zuma is abusing the court process to intimidate, harass and bully her to prevent her from reporting on Zuma's corruption case any further.

She says Zuma did not suffer any injury as a result of her published piece and therefore doesn't have legal standing.

SA Tourism acting CEO Themba Khumalo stressed on Thursday that while the controversial Tottenham Hotspurs deal has not been signed, it has been conditionally approved by the SA Tourism Board.

Khumalo was addressing the media following an outcry around the almost R1-billion sponsorship, which aims to attract more tourists to South Africa.

Khumalo stressed that the travel industry was one of the biggest economic drivers in the country and would continue to be the powerhouse of driving economic recovery.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) believes that the plan is “another glitz and glamour ploy” by Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu to leave a mark in tourism before her potential redeployment to another department in a soon-to-be announced Cabinet reshuffle.

Khumalo pointed out that the mandate of SA Tourism was to market South Africa both domestically and internationally.

SA Tourism believes that the Spurs deal will reach 616-million people who will watch the game live and yield billions for the country.

Khumalo said the deal would also give South Africa access to key policy makers such as the members of the UK Parliament and CEOs of London-listed companies.

“When you start to unpack the deal, you start to see that there is a lot of other underlying benefits in terms of how we will be able to drive the return on investment for this deal and how we drive advocacy back channelling in order for us to get this done,” he explained.

He added that the deal would also boost the aviation industry.

Despite the document being leaked to the media, Khumalo stressed that he could not discuss further details of the figures that had been made public.

Explaining where SA Tourism is in terms of the deal, he said that his organisation had had to halt discussions around the deal for now while addressing the issue of leaked documents.

When asked why SA Tourism chose to sponsor Tottenham Hotspur, Khumalo said that all other top teams already have tourism partners.

“This was the only team in the top performing tear that did not have a tourism destination partner,” he confirmed.

As instructed by the party's highest decision-making body, the Central Command Team (CCT), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) members in Parliament and provincial legislatures are expected to resign.

The resignations are to make way for party members who won during provincial elective conferences. Among those to have resigned is Mamsie Mofama, a Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) in Gauteng.

News24 has seen Mofama's letter of resignation, which was addressed to the Speaker, Ntombi Mekgwe, and is dated 31 January.

"I would like to inform you that I am resigning from my position as a Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature; my final day will be today, Tuesday, 31 January 2022. I apologise for the short notice," reads the letter.

News24 understands that at least six more EFF MPLs are set to resign from their positions.

The party has 10 members in the Gauteng legislature. Last month, Yazani Tetyana, who was the leader of the Eastern Cape legislature, resigned.

Tetyana lost out to Zilindile Vena for the position of provincial party chairperson. On Sunday, at a press briefing, EFF leader Julius Malema announced that the CCT had, among other things, considered the need to recompose the redeployment of public representatives to Parliament and legislatures following the provincial conferences that took place in 2022.

"Accordingly, several MPs and Members of Provincial Legislatures, who occupy those positions based on the political responsibilities they held in the EFF structures, will resign with immediate effect to ensure there is alignment between the leadership of our structures and the leadership of the EFF in governance," said Malema.

In 2019, the EFF forced MPLs to buy bakkies within three months after being sworn in - and News24 understands that some are reluctant to honour the request to resign because they are still paying off the cars.

The bakkies are used to do party work. The MPLs and MPs set to step aside are said to have received letters from EFF secretary-general, Marshall Dlamini, on Friday, which ordered them to resign from their jobs with immediate effect.

According to the party's constitution, the CCT has the power to recall any deployees of the organisation from any position of deployment, including deployment as public representatives.

Democratic Alliance (DA) Shadow Minister of Tourism Manny de Freitas said on Wednesday that South African Tourism's plan to sponsor English Premier League team Tottenham Hotspur is a slap in the face of tax-paying South Africans.

Government, through its marketing agency SA Tourism, plans to sign a nearly R1-billion deal with Tottenham Hotspur in the hopes of attracting tourists to the country.

The DA said the plan is “another glitz and glamour ploy” by Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, to leave a mark in tourism before the potential redeployment to another department in a soon-to-be announced Cabinet reshuffle.

De Freitas said the money could instead be spent locally to improve the tourism sector and create jobs which will contribute to the much-needed growth of South Africa’s economy.

He said the proposed sponsorship would also be a slap in the face of the local sports fraternity, particularly the soccer sector, which does not receive much-needed funds.

With R1-billion, De Freitas said the government could build a brand new soccer pitch in every town in the country.

A DA delegation abroad will this week go to the Tottenham Hotspur Football Club in London to ascertain the exact status of the deal and if any money has exchanged hands.

“The DA will do everything in our power to oppose this lunacy. This idea is even worse than the money allocated for the African National Congress’s (ANC’s) comrades in Cuba, an effort that was stopped by Solidarity in the courts. Our country is in a power crisis. Consumers are being crushed by inflation. There is no way the ANC will be able to condone such a decision in the 2024 election, not even among its staunchest supporters,” said De Freitas.

The DA will also table the matter at the next Tourism Portfolio Committee meeting.

The South African government, through the department of SA Tourism (SAT), is looking at sealing a deal worth almost R1-billion to sponsor one of England's elite soccer clubs, Tottenham Hotspur.

SA Tourism proposed a three-year deal worth £42.5-million (about R900-million) starting at the beginning of the 2023/24 English Premier League season and ending at the end of the 2026/27 season.

The presentation revealed that in exchange for the whopping investment, SA Tourism would receive kit branding, interview backdrop branding, match-day advertising, partnership announcements, training camps in South Africa, and free access to tickets and stadium hospitality.

However, it noted that a risk was raised at a board meeting on 27 January 2023, which was related to Tottenham being relegated to a lower division during the three-year agreement.

"While this is obviously unlikely, given the historic performance of Tottenham Hotspur, raising this will undoubtedly bring into consideration a possible bonus payment to be made by SA Tourism should Tottenham Hotspur perform better than expected," the proposal read.

A source close to the matter told News24 that the proposal was presented and voted for at a board meeting held at 20:00 on Tuesday.

According to the source, Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu met with Tourism SA acting CEO Themba Khumalo before the meeting.

The source said a delegation was expected to fly out on Thursday to sign off the deal.

News24 understands that the finalisation of the proposal has to be settled before the imminent Cabinet reshuffle by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The documents read, "For SA Tourism to break through the noise and reclaim our position in the global travel community, we will need a step-change growth strategy and a series of BIG strategic and specific actions to re-assert our position above pre-[Covid-19] pandemic performance measures."

The documents also revealed that SA Tourism engaged with the club to be a tier-one partner of "London's most valuable football brand and the 8th most valuable football brand worldwide".

The documents further revealed that some board members, including South Africa's High Commissioner in the UK, had already been to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to assess and verify the "feasibility of this proposed venture".

It noted that the football club had strong links to SA, with Manchester United's Benni McCarthy, Mbulelo Mabizela, Steven Pienaar, and another local, Bongani Khumalo, having donned the team's colours.

Under the Q&A regarding the financial obligation to be incurred by SA Tourism in terms of the partnership proportionate to Return on Investment (ROI) it would obtain as a result, the proposal stated: "As entering into a sponsorship partnership with Tottenham Hotspur will likely result in a disproportional contribution (of more than 36%) towards the achievement of primary objective (21-million tourist arrivals), it would therefore be completely justifiable for SA Tourism spending a disproportional percentage of its annual marketing budget (36%) on the proposed Tottenham Hotspur partnership while having in place a risk management strategy to properly manage all risks associated with that.

"This can in no way be construed to a scenario of 'putting all your eggs in one basket'."

In a statement on Wednesday, Sisulu's spokesperson, Mpumzi Zuzile, said proposals were received by SA Tourism and processed by a project team before they were sent through to the executive committee and presented to the SAT board.

"Essentially, the SAT proposal is to conclude a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. It is non-binding. Such a proposal must still pass muster within the tourism ministry and is subject to the concurrence of National Treasury, to conform to government prescripts.

"With regard to this matter, Minister Sisulu is still awaiting a report and to be briefed by the SAT board as they are independent and take their own decisions on various matters. ...

Petrol and diesel prices will be hiked on Wednesday, with oil having become more expensive due to stronger Chinese demand.

Unleaded petrol (both 93 and 95) will increase by 28c a litre, while diesel will be hiked by between less than a cent and around 9c a litre.

Paraffin will increase by 58c a litre, and the maximum retail price of LP gas will fall by R1.40 a kilogram.

The latest price hikes will push Gauteng petrol to R21.68 a litre, from R20.14 a year ago. Petrol peaked at R26.74 in July this year.

Gauteng diesel will climb to as much as R21.32 a litre, from R18.04 in February 2022. Diesel was close to R25.50 in November last year.

The fuel prices are usually adjusted on the first Wednesday of a month and determined by the price of international oil and fuel prices and the rand-dollar exchange rate.

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy said the average Brent oil price increased from $85.08 per barrel to $86.16 over the past month due to the re-opening of the Chinese economy following strict lockdowns. A stronger rand could not prevent fuel price hikes.

"The movement in international refined petroleum product prices, diesel, petrol and illuminating paraffin in particular followed the increasing trend in crude oil prices, while the prices of LP Gas decreased due to lower propane and butane prices during the period under review," the department said.

Earlier this month, the Automobile Association (AA) warned government against hiking fuel levies in Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's Budget Speech in Parliament next month.

"Consumers can simply not afford any more price shocks, and considering the impending 18.65% increase to electricity rates [which will take effect in April], an increase to the levies will deal a massive blow to personal finances," says the AA.

"[Increases] to the two fuel levies will be counter-productive, are ill-timed, and have disastrous outcomes for millions of people already struggling to make ends meet."

The African National Congress (ANC) says it will strengthen its deployment strategy to include the introduction of succession planning.

ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula briefed the media on the outcomes from the recent ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and lekgotla.

“The NEC also noted that any organisation worthy of a future should plan generational succession ensuring that there is transfer of experience and intergeneration exchange of innovative solutions to intractable challenges,” Mbalula explained.

The ANC is seeking another term as the ruling party, as South Africans gear up to cast what could be a defining vote in 2024.

The ANC says it will strengthen and intensify its political education and make it compulsory for all ANC public representatives.

Through the OR Tambo School of Leadership, the ANC would also implement a programme to improve the quality of leadership. To complement this training, induction manuals of the ANC would be improved, Mbalula stated.

Further, to represent more minorities in its NEC, the party has co-opted four people into its 87-member, highest decision-making body: Mapaseka “Steve” Letsike, Gerhard Koornhof, Fawzia Peer and Alvin Botes.

The elected members of the National Working Committee, meanwhile, exceeds by 5% the party’s 50:50 Gender Parity Principle and includes Mmamoloko Kubayi, Barbara Creecy, Enoch Godongwana, Tina Joemat Petterson, Zizi Kodwa, Ronald Lamola, David Mahlobo, Pemmy Majodina, Thandi Modise, Sibongile Besani, Stella Ndabeni Abrahams, Mdumiseni Ntuli, Angie Motshekga, Senzo Mchunu, Mondli Gungubele, Mduduzi Manana, Peggy Nkonyeni, Thembi Nkadimeng, Nonceba Mhauli and Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.

ENERGY

Meanwhile, Mbalula said the NEC wanted President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare a National State of Disaster in the face of the country’s crippling energy crisis.

He said this would require that the party reconnect with communities and society, as the ANC did not have a monopoly on ideas.

He urged society to work with the ANC to resolve the energy challenge.

Mbalula noted that in trying to build and maintain infrastructure capacity, the key concern was vandalism, which had posed a risk to resolving the energy crisis, and which was further compounded by the fact that at present six power stations were not in operation.

He noted that ANC national chairperson and Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe had advocated for the improved performance of Eskom at existing power stations, while current capacity was upgraded and expanded in the context of the Energy Action Plan and the Just Energy Transition as proposed by the National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM).

The lekgotla also called for acceleration of the work of the NECOM, by using the State of Disaster legislation to bring about a multi-sphere command centre to better manage the crisis.

Mbulala said there were billions of rands which were projected to be underspent and called for the reprioritisation of the funds to address the energy crisis.

This can be complemented by the redesign of existing grants to optimise and aggregate infrastructure financing and capacities, he added.

He said in facilitating vibrant economic growth and resilient infrastructure, the government will implement mega and catalytic infrastructure projects that will include new cities, the construction of government buildings, maintenance, as well as integrated transport and corridors.

As economically-crippling loadshedding continues unabated across the country, President Cyril Ramaphosa has revealed that government is going through the motions to establish whether a National State of Disaster could be declared to alleviate power cuts.

Speaking at the African National Congress’s (ANC’s) National Executive Committee lekgotla in Johannesburg on Monday, Ramaphosa acknowledged widespread calls for a State of Disaster from various sectors.

“There was talk about a National State of Disaster, like what we did when we faced Covid-19, and there is broad agreement that we should proceed in that direction. Work is already underway within government to establish whether the legal requirements for the declaration of a National State of Disaster are met and what specific actions we would be empowered to undertake to urgently resolve loadshedding within the framework of a National State of Disaster. This matter will receive attention, including at the Cabinet Lekgotla, and must be resolved without delay,” he said.

Also in attendance at the lekgotla was under-fire Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe. Calls for his dismissal have grown as loadshedding further strains the economy, businesses and society.

Ramaphosa assured that the response to the energy crisis would be escalated to higher levels of government and that there will be a clearer and singular message from government so as to not create confusion.

“We should welcome the perspective from commissions that ending the energy crisis must be a government-wide and society-wide effort. As the ANC, we have undertaken to playing an active role in mobilising all sections of society behind an urgent Energy Action Plan,” he said and added that the lekgotla resolved to have the Presidency coordinate the processes to address the energy crisis.

ECONOMY AND EMPLOYMENT

The ANC highlighted the urgent need for massive investment for job creation and economic transformation through the mobilisation of government's social partners business, labour and community organisations.

Ramaphosa said it was resolved that the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP) be intensely implemented, particularly in the areas of localisation and re-industrialisation.

“We should deepen a developmental mindset in all that we do, and show deliberate leadership through articulating a clear programme for economic development through the ERRP,” he said.

The ANC has identified the need to improve State capacity and utilise private sector resources for greater infrastructure investment and maintenance, especially in the areas of electricity, water and roads.

An ANC Delivery Command Center was touted at the lekgotla to tackle issues relating to service delivery.

Ramaphosa explained that all ANC branches would need to report on the state of service delivery and infrastructure maintenance in their respective branches.

The ANC has also resolved to carry out a skills audit for government employees to ensure the right skills are assigned to the necessary areas.

The need for finance to carry out the plan to municipalities will be necessary, and Ramaphosa pointed to budgetary processes to implement the programme.

“We also reflected on the phenomenon of the underspending of budgets and agreed that this must come to an end. If there is money it must be spent to good effect, funding the services that people need,” he added.

CORRUPTION AND WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION

The lekgotla discussed the need to bring together society to fight corruption and resolved that ANC branches should be active in addressing concerns with its communities.

Ramaphosa said anti-corruption architecture would be reviewed as a new anti-corruption agency is considered.

Protection for whistleblowers by capacitating the Witness Protection Unit was suggested.

“Whistleblowers continue to face huge challenges in our country and they need to be protected because those who blow the whistle on corruption and fraud are doing a great serv...