Free State – Department Of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism And Environmental Affairs

The vision of the Department of Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DESTEA) is to be a transformed economy and a prosperous society that is living in harmony with its natural resources.

DESTEA’s mission as a leading developmental institution is to drive environmentally sustainable economic growth and transformation for the benefit of the Free State province and its citizens through: the creation of a conducive environment for trade and investment, including the establishment of a progressive policy framework to promote wealth creation and equitable wealth distribution for economic transformation; preservation and sustainable use of natural resources; and being a capable, ethical and responsive organisation.

The department’s constitutional mandates require it to oversee and administer the following: trade; tourism; casinos, racing, gambling and wagering, excluding lotteries and sports pools; consumer protection; environment; industrial promotion; nature conservation; pollution control; provincial public enterprises; soil conservation; and liquor licenses and control of undertakings that sell liquor to the public.

Furthermore, the department’s constitutional mandate emphasises that everyone has the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being and to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations, through: reasonable legislative and other measures that prevent pollution and ecological degradation; promotion of conservation; and securing ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and social development.