Hon Chair, we are less than four months away from one of the biggest sporting and tourism events in the world, the Fifa 2010 Soccer World Cup. One of the main tourism attractions is Robben Island. Not only is it a popular tourism attraction, but it is also one of South Africa's most important cultural institutions. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1999.
However, all of the wonderful tourism opportunities that Robben Island has to offer may be seriously jeopardised if urgent and serious action is not taken now by the Minister of Arts and Culture to repair the tarnished image of the island.
This relates to a long list of problems, including mismanagement and the continuous breakdown of the main ferry. The forensic report which led to the suspension of the chief executive officer, chief operating officer and chief financial officer at the museum in 2009, has not been released for almost a year, whilst management problems remain. The Minister should be open and reveal the root of the problems. Added to this, Robben Island has now been without a proper board or permanent chief executive for nine months; this on the eve of the World Cup. According to a reply to a question posed to the Minister last year, this board would have been appointed by the end of July 2009. Acting chief executive Henry Bredekamp's contract ends on 31 March 2010, but still no action or plans have been revealed on who will take over management of the Robben Island Museum.
We cannot allow the present situation to continue. Further delay in taking action and management problems could create a tourism embarrassment and cost Robben Island its World Heritage status. Thank you. [Applause.]