Madam Chairperson, in support of my chairperson, and also on behalf of the Northern Cape, I would just like to make a brief input.
The Northern Cape supports the amending Bill and also understands the significant role the Tourism Act plays with regard to job creation among our people. The issues addressed are straightforward, as described in the memorandum. The Bill gives the Minister the right to choose the members of the board once he or she has advertised for nominations.
I want to make mention of this because there has been quite a heated debate on some of the issues regarding the amending Bill. Provinces should note the provision of the proposed new section 13B, which requires the minutes of the board meetings to be sent to the provincial tourism MECs and emphasises the procedures and programmes for co-operative relations within the provinces. There is no need for us to fear that the provinces are left out of the board.
The Bill seeks to amend the Tourism Act of 1993, Act 72 of 1993, in order to change the composition of the SA Tourism Board. It proposes that the maximum number of members be reduced from 20 to 15 and the minimum number from 15 to 9.
This means that the provision requiring representation by the business, community and labour sectors and by provinces are removed to make allowance for appointments to the board. The Minister will then have a free hand in finding the very best talent from whatever walk of life to appoint to the board. Alternative arrangements were made to liaise with the provincial governments.
The provinces support the amending Bill. [Applause.]