Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane is pleased to announce the reappointment of Mr Nkhumeleni Victor Tharage, who will continue to serve in his role as Director General of the Department of Tourism. Mr Tharage’s new five-year contract will resume with effect from 1 September 2020.

His reappointment comes at a time when our country is engulfed with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has rendered the tourism sector totally inactive.  The sector is faced with possible business closures and a massive loss of jobs. Government together with the sector is working tirelessly to lessen the impact of the pandemic and more importantly to develop a tourism recovery plan for the post-Covid-19 period. These efforts require the Department of Tourism to have a sturdy hand at the helm and Mr Tharage is the ideal fit.

Mr Tharage has more than 16 years at senior management level in government, most of which he spent in the tourism sector and the broader public sector. Over the years, he has demonstrated an abundance of strategic and operational knowledge of the needs of the tourism sector, making him best suited for steering the sector out of the current crisis.

“I am personally very pleased that government and the sector have been able to retain a dedicated civil servant with his calibre, track record and further potential. With his deep knowledge of tourism and experience, I believe that Mr Tharage is the best person to lead the department and the sector through the Covid-19 crisis and in the post-Covid-19 recovery period,” said Minster Kubayi-Ngubane.

Mr Tharage is a respected senior civil servant with many achievements, including the Best Director General award. The combination of his experience as a public servant, drive and commitment to the Batho Pele principle will serve him well in helping the sector to get to the next level of growth and development.

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