‘We didn’t spend R3 000 for a bo le’

City Power has denied any wrongdoing in its procurement processes of Covid-19 personal protective equipment (PPE).

“If we delay our response any further, the lies that we, among others, spent over R3 000 for a single bottle of sanitiser, may be regarded as truthful in the eyes of some people,” City Power spokesman Isaac Mangena said. –

South Africa’s tourism industry has lost billions of rands and more than 300 000 jobs due to the hard lockdown since the outbreak of Covid-19.

Deputy Tourism Minister Fish Mahlalela said the impact of Covid-19, accompanied by the hard lockdown, severely affected the tourism sector, both locally and internationally.

Visiting North West on Tuesday, Mahlalela said among the areas hardest hit was the Bojanala district, which encompasses tourist destinations such as Hartbeespoort Dam, Sun City, Pilanesberg National Park and the Royal Madikwe Game Lodge.

“In Bojanala, they have lost over R600 million alone,” said Mahlalela.

“In other areas of the country, there are businesses that have lost more than what Bojanala has lost. We have lost more than 300 000 jobs thus far. Some establishments have closed completely, others have not opened and some are gradually opening.”

Mahlalela said the department was assessing the impact of Covid-19 in Bojanala and encouraged South Africans to explore their own country in order to save jobs. “The bedrock for tourism should be domestic tourism,” he said.

“Bojanala is a concern as tourism is affected. However, there is enthusiasm to travel by our domestic tourists. More people must come and explore tourism products offered by the North West province.”

Mahlalela said soon after the roll-out of the vaccine nationally, they would mobilise the international market. “We hope that when things stabilise in the country, we will be opening land borders.

“We have developed a recovery plan that will be submitted to Cabinet for adoption. As part of broadening the business, President Cyril Ramaphosa has launched the R1.5 billion Tourism Equity Fund to enable new entrants into the market,” Mahlalela said.

North West economic development, environment, conservation and tourism MEC Kenetswe Mosenogi said tourism in the province contributed R8 billion to the country’s economy. “As adjusted levels are being introduced, based on the infection rate, we have seen a number of improvements [in the] arrival of tourists,” she said.