Dr Shamilla Chettiar has been named Acting CEO of South African Tourism, effective immediately. Her two-month tenure depends on the outcome of disciplinary proceedings following the suspension of CEO Nombulelo Guliwe..
Dr Chettiar currently serves as Deputy Director General for Destination Development at the Department of Tourism and was a member of SA Tourism’s interim Board appointed in August last year. She has since resigned from the Board following her appointment. This annoucement follows the recent filling of several key executive positions, including Chief Financial Officer, Chief Audit Executive and Chief Convention Bureau roles, as part of efforts to maintain organizational continuity.
In an exclusive interview with VoyagesAfriq, Dr Chettiar described the moment as a period of responsibility and continuity for the organization. “It is my privilege and honour to join the South African Tourism team during this important period of transition. Our focus remains serving South Africans through delivery on our mandate to grow tourism’s contribution to the economy,” she said. “My focus is continued stability and good governance through high performance team delivery. Our South African Tourism team will continue working closely with all stakeholders to ensure organizational continuity and sustained progress.”
Dr Chettiar brings extensive public sector and destination development experience to the role. Her current portfolio at the Department of Tourism includes planning, investment facilitation, tourism space enhancement, route and experience development, and oversight of the Expanded Public Works Programme. Her career spans strategy and policy development, spatial planning, infrastructure delivery, organizational development, public participation and public private partnerships.
She has previously been involved at senior level in landmark projects such as the Dinokeng Game Reserve, the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site in Gauteng and the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre. Dr Chettiar holds academic qualifications up to PhD level and is recognized within government for her focus on performance driven teams and development outcomes.
