President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended his condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Tourism, Beatrice Thembekile Ngcobo.
“Ms Ngcobo’s passing away represented a great loss to Parliament and the tourism sector at a time when government is preparing to work with all role players in the industry to aggressively increase the number of visitors to South Africa and employment in the sector,” said President Ramaphosa.
Ngcobo passed away on Sunday at the age of 74 after a short illness.
President Ramaphosa said Ngcobo’s resolute and collaborative leadership with which she had guided the portfolio committee and the tourism sector at large was itself a manifestation of the positive nation brand which South Africa presented to the world with integrity and innovation.
“The ultimate honour we can pay to this great ambassador for tourism to South Africa and within South Africa is to sustain the gains and strides tourism we witnessed during Ms Ngcobo’s tenure at the helm of the portfolio committee,” said President Ramaphosa.
Ngcobo held an MA in Social Sciences and a Diploma in Advanced Nursing Education from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She was a respected activist across various sectors, including for Disabled People South Africa.
“Her invaluable contribution and especially her passion for the wellbeing of travellers to and in our country will be sorely missed,” said President Ramaphosa. – SAnews.gov.za
