Moeketsi Mosola has been appointed the new chief executive officer for South African Tourism from November, Environmental Affairs and Tourism minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said on Wednesday.
SA Tourism’s outgoing CEO Cheryl Carolus will take over as chairperson of the Board of the South African National Parks (SANParks), said Van Schalkwyk.
”South Africa has a wealth of talent and leadership that continues to enrich environmental management and tourism in our country,” said Van Schalkwyk about the new senior appointments within the portfolio that were approved by the Cabinet on Wednesday.
Van Schalkwyk said Carolus’s decision to continue contributing her ”unmatched experience and enthusiasm to the broader environmental and tourism sector speaks volumes about her commitment to our country and its future”.
He said her dynamic leadership would be particularly valuable as ”we address the need to upgrade and improve our tourism and hospitality products within our national parks”.
Carolus said: ”My time at SA Tourism has been wonderfully rewarding, and I am truly looking forward to confronting new challenges.”
Speaking on Wednesday about his appointment, Mosola said: ”Our third national tourism conference held last week confirmed the achievements of our tourism industry over the last ten years, but also brought the challenges leading up to 2010 into sharp relief.
”I am honoured to step into this key position and will ensure that South Africa makes use of every opportunity to unlock our tourism growth.”
Mosola started his career in public service in 1994 in the Free State premier’s office.
He then managed the reconstruction and development programme (RDP) within the presidency in 1995. – Sapa