The South African government is reportedly planning to sign a shock R1 billion deal with one of the Premier League's biggest clubs.
A sensational report from the Daily Maverick has suggested that the government, via its marketing agency SA Tourism, is looking to strike a deal to sponsor Tottenham Hotspur said to be worth just over R910 997 814.75.
It is said that tourism minister Lindiwe Sisulu wants the deal to be agreed before the upcoming cabinet reshuffle, when President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to move her out of her current position.
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The report adds that the prospective deal will be for 36 months, with the plan's first presentation having been given by SA Tourism chief executive officer Themba Khumalo on 27 January.
The Daily Maverick claims that the partnership is set to be announced by Ramaphosa in February, during his State of the Nation address.
The publication reports that they are in possession of a PowerPoint presentation that describes the Lilywhites as the "eighth most valuable club globally", behind the likes of Manchester United, Real Madrid and a select few others.
This deal would see the country advertised as a travel destination to millions by the Premier League club.
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Partnerships between football clubs and countries have become a common occurrence in recent years, with the Rwandan government having multi-million sponsorship agreements with Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, while Abu Dhabi has a similarly lucrative deal with Manchester City.
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