Latest news with #SonjaBoshoff
Zawya
24-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: De Lille outlines tourism budget priorities, reforms and growth plans
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has outlined how the Department of Tourism's R2.434bn budget for the 2025/26 financial year will be directed towards destination development, tourism support services, legislative reforms, and job creation, with a strong emphasis on rural and township economies. "This budget is based on the Government of National Unity's Programme of Action for the next five years," said De Lille, addressing the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Tuesday, 22 July. "Our mission is clear: to elevate the profile of tourism as a key driver of economic growth and job creation, as it is identified in the National Development Plan and the Tourism Sector Master Plan." Budget allocation breakdown According to De Lille, the primary allocations from the R2.434bn budget include: • R1.3bn to South African Tourism • R331m to Destination Development, primarily directed to the Working for Tourism programme • R331m to Tourism Sector Support Services, which fund initiatives such as the Green Tourism Incentive Programme (GTIP), Tourism Grading, Market Access, and the Tourism Transformation Fund (TTF) Response to Select Committee concerns De Lille welcomed the recommendations from the Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade, chaired by Sonja Boshoff, stating: "The Select Committee has identified key aspects where I, too, think the Department of Tourism and South African Tourism can sharpen their focus to deliver on our mandate." "These matters the Department is trying to address in its work, and the current Budget Policy is before the NCOP today for debate," she said. Focus on legislative reforms and governance The department will finalise and table the Tourism Amendment Bill, which aims to address short-term rentals, grading enforcement, and governance. De Lille also committed to: • Reviewing legacy strategies, including those on Heritage & Cultural Tourism, Rural Tourism, and Service Excellence • Implementing 60-day fund approval targets for GTIP, TEF and TTF, with consequence management • Enhancing oversight and governance through quarterly public dashboards tracking EPWP placements, fund disbursements, and risk metrics She said: 'We will strengthen internal controls, audit committees and contract and consequence-management frameworks.' New five-pillar sector plan launched De Lille unveiled the Tourism Growth Partnership Plan, a sector-wide action framework built on five pillars: 1. Ease of access – including visa reform, air connectivity and road transport 2. Coordinated destination marketing 3. Tourist safety and security 4. Tourism product development 5. Job creation – with a focus on youth employment and skills pathways She announced that an Execution Lab will be held next week with sector leaders to develop implementation strategies and timelines to meet 2030 growth targets. Destination development projects in nine provinces De Lille detailed 17 community tourism infrastructure projects scheduled for completion this financial year. Highlights include: • Mthonsi and Qatywa Lodges (Eastern Cape) • Qwa Qwa Guest House (Free State) • Muzi Pan Project (KwaZulu-Natal) • 10 Limpopo projects, including Mapate Recreational Tourism, Nandoni Dam and Phiphidi Waterfall • Mdluli Cultural Centre (Mpumalanga) and Manyane Lodge (North West) At the Tisane Project in Limpopo, upgrades to accommodation and a restaurant have already enabled the hosting of several community functions. "We are also working to finalise condition assessments for five World Heritage Sites," she added. Nearly 18,000 visit new dinosaur centre in a month Since launching on 22 June 2025, the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre at Golden Gate Highlands National Park has already attracted nearly 18,000 tourists in its first month. "This demonstrates the power of partnerships. The project was funded by the European Union, with the Department of Tourism working in close collaboration with the Department of Environment, Forestry, and Fisheries," said De Lille. Investment and marketing initiatives In September 2025, the department will host the first Tourism Investment Conference in Cape Town to attract anchor investors for tourism infrastructure. "We will launch our Tourism Investment Booklet in collaboration with the UN Tourism," De Lille said. South African Tourism will also sharpen its marketing efforts, particularly in India, China, and Brics+ countries, supported by the improved air access and direct flights expected to resume through SAA. At the recent China mission with Deputy President Paul Mashatile, De Lille noted: "It was encouraging to hear from 150 tour operators about the positive impact the Department of Tourism's Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) is having on sentiment." The department aims to support 105 MICE bid submissions, convert 25 into closed wins, and host 10 events in villages, townships and small towns, with a targeted economic impact of R120m. Youth innovation and risk management To address digital and climate-related challenges, the department is developing a Digital Maturity Roadmap, a real-time tourism dashboard, and mobile tools. A G20 Hackathon will also be hosted, in partnership with 18 higher education institutions, inviting students to propose digital tourism solutions. The Sector Risk and Mitigation Plan will prioritise climate change, safety, health, and governance. In closing, De Lille reiterated the department's commitment to reform and inclusive growth: "Together, we will create a resilient and inclusive tourism sector that powers South Africa's future."
IOL News
15-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
How US tariffs will impact South Africa's agriculture and automotive sectors
Several sectors are set to be affected by the tariffs. Image: IOL South Africa's export-dependent industries are bracing for an unprecedented disruption as a 30% tariff on exports to the United States is set to take effect on August 1, 2025. This policy shift is expected to impact the country's vital sectors, especially agriculture, automotive manufacturing, and metals. Citrus, wine, and macadamia Among the most severely exposed is South Africa's citrus industry, which is the second-largest in the world. The US currently imports about R1.8 billion worth of South African citrus annually, sustaining approximately 140,000 jobs across the value chain. A 30% tariff could effectively price South African produce out of the US market, despite strong demand driven by declining local production in Florida. Wine and macadamia exporters can also expect to experience major setbacks. The US has been a key growth market for South African wines and tariff-induced price hikes could erase margins entirely. Macadamia exporters, already suffering from a global oversupply, will see competitiveness vanish, especially for smallholder farmers in Limpopo and Mpumalanga. Auto industry The Eastern Cape's automotive sector, already dealing with a 25% tariff since April, will be further hamstrung by the broader 30% import tax. In 2024, the US bought R35 billion in luxury vehicles and components from South Africa — a third of which consisted of auto parts manufactured by smaller suppliers. Steel and aluminium Heavy industry isn't spared either. According to early projections, steel and aluminium exporters could be hit with tariffs as high as 50%. These sectors are crucial not only for direct exports but also as suppliers to automotive, construction, and energy projects. The effect across supply chains — from mines to fabrication plants to shipping — could result in job losses, factory closures, and significant GDP contraction. Agriculture The agricultural sector, which contributes over 10% of South Africa's export revenue, now finds itself exposed in multiple areas. Beef, wine, and niche exports such as cold-pressed oils and processed fruits are all facing sudden erosion of competitiveness. A recent analysis by the National Agricultural Marketing Council highlights the larger context: a global rise in protectionism, with the WTO recording record numbers of restrictive trade measures in 2025. South Africa is among the worst-hit, especially given its high compliance with global trade norms but limited leverage in bilateral negotiations. Parliament weighs in The Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade has urged the government to act urgently. Chairperson Sonja Boshoff described the tariffs as 'a direct assault on our rural economy and industrial base,' warning that the impact would stretch far beyond exporters. 'Entire rural economies and towns — especially those dependent on citrus, wine, or macadamia farming — are in jeopardy,' said Boshoff. 'We cannot afford to wait for the axe to fall. Intervention is needed now.' She called on the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) to fast-track support packages for affected industries, including logistics relief, export financing, and rapid market reorientation. IOL
Zawya
08-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
30% US Tariff Will Be a Blow to Economic Growth, Jobs and Trade Certainty
The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade, Ms Sonja Boshoff, has expressed grave concern over the impending 30% tariff imposed by the United States government on key South African exports, as the tariffs will have far-reaching consequences for exporters and on the broader ailing South African economy. Ms Boshoff said the US tariff order, which was signed yesterday and is set to come into effect on 1 August 2025, undermines the historical US–SA trade cooperation and poses a serious threat to strategic sectors such as citrus, macadamia, automotive components, steel and aluminium. 'These industries are not abstract economic indicators; they are lifelines for tens of thousands of workers, particularly in rural and small-town South Africa,' emphasised Ms Boshoff. She said South Africa's citrus industry alone supports more than 35 000 jobs and contributes over R38 billion annually to the economy. 'A tariff of this magnitude threatens not only the profitability of our exporters, but the livelihoods of workers and the economic stability of entire agricultural regions,' stressed Ms Boshoff. She said the tariff order also casts a dark shadow over the future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which has long facilitated preferential access to US markets. With the new duty effectively neutralising those preferences, there is growing uncertainty for producers who depend on predictable market access to plan, invest and grow. 'It is critical that trade agreements are honoured in good faith. No country can plan its industrial or export strategy under a cloud of sudden and unilateral tariff hikes' said Ms Boshoff. The committee recognises that the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) is pursuing negotiations with its US counterparts, reportedly offering strategic Liquefied Natural Gas procurement in exchange for a more reasonable tariff ceiling. However, such engagements must be swift, transparent and rooted in the national interest. 'We cannot afford diplomatic dithering. Every delay will deepen the uncertainty in our export industries. The government must urgently finalise a sustainable trade path with the United States and, simultaneously, accelerate diversification into new markets across the EU, Asia and Africa,' stressed Ms Boshoff. The committee calls on the DTIC and the Department of Agriculture to provide support packages and market reorientation strategies for the most affected industries. This must include logistics relief, export finance support, and new market facilitation, particularly for emerging farmers and SMEs. 'At a time when South Africa is battling record unemployment and low growth, punitive tariffs by our biggest trading partners are not just economic risks, they are catalysts for deeper inequality. We must respond with urgency, precision and policy agility,' Ms Boshoff noted. This unprecedent development cannot be approached with a 'let it go' attitude, Ms Boshoff said. She called on the South African government to urgently send a high-level delegation to Washington to undertake repair of diplomatic ties and to reaffirm South Africa's commitment to constructive engagement. President Trump signed the tariff order on Monday, 7 July, after the withdrawal of US grant funding for critical programmes in South Africa. The tariff order, which will apply to all South African products entering the US market, will come into effect from 1 August 2025. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Zawya
01-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Economic Development and Trade Committee Chairperson Welcomes Launch of Proudly SA E-commerce Platform to Boost Local Industry
The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade, Ms Sonja Boshoff, has welcomed the launch of Proudly SA's new online platform for locally produced consumer goods. Ms Boshoff characterised the platform as a significant step towards reindustrialisation of the South African economy, which will protect local jobs. 'This digital marketplace will serve as a vital conduit for South African businesses – particularly manufacturers and small-scale producers – to reach consumers across the country. In time, the platform is also expected to open international avenues for local exporters, contributing meaningfully to market diversification and economic resilience,' Ms Boshoff said. 'This initiative could not have come at a more important time. South Africa continues to face the triple threat of high unemployment, sluggish economic growth and deindustrialisation. Platforms such as this are essential to reversing the tide. By creating accessible digital channels for local producers, Proudly SA is directly contributing to inclusive economic growth and supporting job retention in vulnerable sectors like manufacturing and agro processing. 'While we commend this important intervention, it must form part of a broader localisation strategy, supported by clear procurement policies, incentives for domestic production and infrastructure support for township and rural enterprises. This is how industrialised nations have built resilient economies, and South Africa must be no different,' Ms Boshoff said. She added that the committee encourages businesses, big and small, to register on the Proudly SA platform and commit to local procurement wherever possible. 'Consumers, too, have a critical role to play in supporting this ecosystem. Buying local is no longer just patriotic; it is an economic imperative.' 'The committee will continue to exercise rigorous oversight over the departments and entities tasked with economic development, ensuring that such platforms receive the institutional backing, marketing exposure, and policy alignment they need to succeed,' added Ms Boshoff. 'South Africa has the capacity to produce its own goods – from furniture to fashion, food to film – and we must prioritise these industries if we are serious about reaching our growth targets and reducing the unemployment rate, which currently sits at an unsustainable 43.1%. It is time to back South African producers, not in words, but in procurement decisions, public policy, and consumer behaviour,' she said. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Zawya
25-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Any Review of Labour Legislation Must Be Clear About Its Intentions, says Select Committee Chair
The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade, Ms Sonja Boshoff, has called on the Department of Employment and Labour to give careful thought to what it aims to achieve through the review of South Africa's labour legislation. The department informed the committee that it intends to review and amend approximately six pieces of labour legislation – a process that has already commenced at Cabinet level. On Wednesday, the department presented its strategic plan and annual performance plan to the committee. Ms Boshoff emphasised that the review of labour legislation must take into account the country's stagnant economy and soaring unemployment rate. 'Any review or future amendment to labour legislation must be practical and responsive to the realities faced by small players in the economy. Legislation must serve as an enabler for job creation and economic growth,' she said. 'In today's South Africa, we should be preoccupied with reducing red tape and moving away from race-based policy positions. This is not to suggest that the economic empowerment of the previously disadvantaged should be abandoned, but rather that we must rethink our priorities and focus on the broader population – not just the politically connected.' Ms Boshoff added that the legislative review process must unlock economic participation, particularly for emerging and marginalised market players. 'As a committee, we will not tire in advocating for conditions that make it easier to do business and that create opportunities for deserving and competent individuals. It is truly ironic that labour legislation, which should be designed to protect and promote employment, is in some cases the very reason job creation is being stifled. We still owe it to South Africans to empower both job seekers and potential employers alike,' Ms Boshoff said. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
