By Nangamso Mabindla
7 September 2005

TOURISM Month kicked off on a high note, when Buffalo City Municipality appointed a new chief executive for its Tourism Buffalo City (TBC) unit.

TBC officially launched Tourism Month in August, when it outlined events that would be held to draw tourists to the region this summer.

The new chief executive, Mickey Mama, will be officially introduced to the TBC board and its partners by City Manager Mxolisi Tsika today at the East London City Hall. The agency has not had a chief executive for the past 10 months, following the resignation of Glenton de Kock.

"Ms Mama was found to be the most suitable candidate to take up the challenge of putting our city on the tourism map," Tsika said.

"We, as the municipality, will give her all the support she needs to succeed in boosting our tourism, which is very central in our quest to create employment in our city."

Tsika said the appointment was not made lightly as the decision had to be in the best interests of the city and its citizens.

"As a local authority, compliance with legislation and developing policies or guidelines in line with legislation is imperative, especially since we are working with public funds."

According to the Municipal Finance Management Act and the Municipal Systems Act of 2000, no municipality is allowed to establish or participate in the establishment of, or acquire or hold an interest in a corporate body, including a trust, except where the corporate body is a private company, service utility or multi-jurisdictional service utility.

"To ensure compliance and accountability, the best option of converting the TBC, a Section 21 company, into a municipal entity has been considered," Tsika added.

Mama would take up her new position on Monday, 19 September.