SOUTH AFRICA’S MINISTER FOR TOURISM TO OPEN WYSTC 2015

29 May 2015

We are delighted to announce that Mr Derek Hanekom, Minister of Tourism for South Africa, will officially open the 24th World Youth and Student Travel Conference – WYSTC 2015 – in Cape Town this September.

Minister Hanekom was Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs from 1994 to 1999 under the Nelson Mandela government, piloting various reform bills through Parliament which aimed to redress the injustices and inequities caused by apartheid laws and the 1913 Land Act.

Minister Hanekom has a strong ANC history having served two years in prison for the work he did for the ANC during apartheid.

Much of the South African land reform legislation was initiated, drafted and enacted during his term as Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs, and this legislation laid the foundation for land reform in the post-apartheid era.

During the period 1999 – 2004, Minister Hanekom served as a Member of Parliament on various Parliamentary Committees until his appointment as the Deputy Minister of Science and Technology in April 2004.

During October 2012 he was promoted to Minister of Science and Technology where he served his term until 25 May 2014, after which he was appointed Minister of Tourism.

“With youth travel continuing to thrive in South Africa, it is fitting for Minister Hanekom to open WYSTC 2015,” said David Chapman, Director General of WYSE Travel Confederation.

“It is an immense honour for South Africa to have been selected to host WYSTC 2015. We look forward to hosting delegates from all over the world at this exciting event,” added Minister Hanekom.

The opening session for this year’s gathering of the youth, student and educational travel industry will get underway at 09:30 on Wednesday, 23 September at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

Click here to view the full programme >

https://www.wystc.org/visit/venue-information/