Marthinus van Schalkwyk, South Africa minister of tourism, has announced the appointment of Thulani Nzima as chief executive officer of South African Tourism. Minister Van Schalkwyk has expressed his delight with the appointment of the new chief executive: “I am very pleased with Nzima’s appointment. He not only has a wealth of knowledge and experience of the tourism industry, but his management skills will certainly steer SAT to greater heights.”

The Seychelles Tourism Board has hosted some fifty top press delegates who are in Seychelles attending the 19th annual general meeting of the Southern African Broadcasting Association (SABA) to a fabulous Creole soirée.

Mayende Noluthanda, South Africa Ambassador, Africa’s Leading Tourist Board

South Africa showed solid signs of growth in 2011, with a near ten per cent rise in international visitor numbers during the first quarter. New markets - including India, China and Brazil - are emerging, while traditional feeder markets hold steady – with loyal guests wanting to return to the world class destination again and again. Here South Africa’s tourism minister, Marthinus Van Schalkwyk, gives an exclusive update to BTN.

Brand and communications specialist Lungi Morrison has joined the South African Tourism team, as UK country manager. Morrison will initially be based at the organisation’s Johannesburg Head Office before relocating to London at the beginning of September.

In the past few years, South Africa has considerably raised its profile as a world-class host of international sports events, from the 2003 Cricket World Cup to the 2010 Confederations Cup and, of course, the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Still riding the crest of the 2010 wave, South Africa now hopes to become a first-choice destination for sports events - hosting Sports & Events Tourism Exchange as an important first step in ensuring it continue its hosting successes.