Note to editors: Please find attached soundbite by Haseena Ismail MP.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille’s criticism of the Tourism Equity Fund’s (TEF) slow pace in supporting small, medium, and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) in the tourism sector.
The Tourism Equity Fund must prioritise supporting SMMEs with the potential to create and sustain jobs. We emphasise the need for efficient TEF processes, transparency, and accountability, particularly regarding job creation.
While the TEF’s approval of R301 million for 20 businesses across South Africa is a significant investment, the real measure of success lies in the number of jobs created. The DA believes that the TEF must prioritise transparency and accountability in its processes to ensure that funds are utilised effectively and efficiently.
Some of our concerns include:
- Lack of Transparency: The TEF’s processes and decision-making criteria must be transparent to ensure that funding is allocated fairly and effectively.
- Inefficient Processes: The TEF’s application and approval processes must be streamlined to reduce delays and ensure that SMMEs receive the support they need in a timely manner.
- Accountability: The TEF must be held accountable for the outcomes of its funding, particularly regarding job creation. Regular progress reports and evaluations must be conducted to assess the impact of TEF funding.
The DA calls on the Minister of Tourism to ensure that the TEF’s processes are transparent, efficient, and accountable. We demand that the Minister provides regular progress reports on the TEF’s funding and its impact on job creation.