Axing Van Schalkwyk inexplicable

OPEN letter to the president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma:

I have now listened to and analysed your announcement of the new cabinet to serve South Africa.

My immediate response is that this must be a joke.

I fail to understand the logic regarding the various appointments. There appears to be no consideration for the economic wellbeing of our country and these appointments rather reflect some gratitude to those who support you.

I am particularly disgusted at the removal of Marthinus van Schalkwyk as minister of tourism. Why fix something that is not broken?

Is this also a case of cadre deployment?

It is worldwide accepted that tourism is one of the pillars of economic development and the creator of sustainable jobs which are so needed in our country. It is a well known fact that Van Schalkwyk and his highly qualified team have done an excellent job over the last years in promoting South Africa as the  tourism destination.

They have introduced many innovative initiatives. The latest South Africa Tourism advertisement, "Reconsider South Africa", that is widely acclaimed and the internationally benchmarked Tourism Grading Council of South Africa are but two examples.

It therefore goes without saying that continuity should have been observed in this critical ministry. Experience has shown that introduced tourism initiatives take about five years or longer actually to achieve the desired results.

Van Schalkwyk was highly respected nationally and internationally as the face of tourism in South Africa. His annual state of tourism address at the Tourism Indaba in Durban, which is attended by thousands of national and international tourism delegates, was always a highlight, not forgetting his annual visits to the remotest tourism destinations across South Africa during tourism month.

The tourism portfolio has not been involved in any corruption and there have not been any adverse audit comments.

A political move of this nature will no doubt create instability within the tourism industry and this does not augur well for South Africa.

Let me hasten to add this is not to be viewed as "political bashing", but a statement of fact and concern based on years of experience and a passion for the tourism industry.

Mr President, I know the appointment of cabinet ministers is the prerogative of you and your ruling party, but it is also my constitutional right to differ with you, especially when it comes to such an important pillar of the economy.

Cry my beloved country.

Ernest Bergins, tourism consultant, Port Elizabeth