New ministers spark hope over industry issues

NHLANHLA Nene’s
reappointment as
Minister of Finance,
part of a Cabinet reshuffle by
President Cyril Ramaphosa,
has been welcomed by the
travel industry, who see
the move as positive for
SAA and the country as a
whole. It comes at a time
when the industry is trying
to resolve issues around
VAT on international travel
and government travel and
procurement.
SAA, SARS and Treasury
fall under Nene’s portfolio as
Finance Minister. It was widely
speculated in December 2015
that former President Jacob
Zuma had removed Nene
due to his resistance to the
proposed $100 billion nuclear
deal and his attempts to
stop the plundering of SAA by
politically connected cadres.
Former Finance Minister,
Malusi Gigaba, who was
widely viewed as a state
capture enabler, has been
moved out of the National
Treasury, but remains in the
Cabinet as Minister of Home
Affairs, a portfolio he held
when the much-criticised new
immigration regulations were
put in place.
“We are also encouraged
by Nhlanhla Nene’s
re-appointment as the
Minister of Finance and
are confident that, with his
experience and leadership, we
will continue our constructive
engagements with National
Treasury on matters relating
to government travel and
procurement and hopefully
assist us in our efforts to
engage with SARS on the
matter of zero-rating on
international transport,” said
Otto de Vries, ceo of Asata.
June Crawford, ceo of Barsa
said Nene’s reappointment
as Finance Minister was a
positive appointment for both
SAA and the country as a
whole.
Franz Von Wielligh, gm of
Flight Specials, said Nene’s
reappointment was wonderful
news for the country. He
said the Minister would
finally be able to conclude
the good work that he had
started a few years ago.
Franz said the rand would
continue to strengthen
based on the positive
sentiment surrounding Nene’s
appointment and that this in
turn would make outbound
travel cheaper, stimulating the
industry.
Both June and Otto
welcomed Derek Hanekom’s
re-appointment as Minister
of Tourism, citing his positive
relationship with the trade.
Regarding Malusi Gigaba’s
appointment, June said Barsa
would continue to work with
him on ways to reduce barriers
to entry for tourists and hoped
that South Africa would follow
the lead of other African
countries that were introducing
visas on arrivals to stimulate
tourism in their regions.
Franz was more hesitant
and reiterated that Gigaba
had been the instigator of the
unabridged birth certificate
requirements that had caused
havoc in the industry when
they were implemented. “A
strong rand also stifles the
inbound travel industry so we
will need to wait and see what
Gigaba can do to bring more
tourists to South Africa.”
Blade Nzimande is a new
appointment in the role of
Minister of Transport. June
said she hoped he would note
the major role that the airline
industry played in stimulating
South Africa’s economy.