Johannesburg — TOURISM Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk has worked hard over the years to shed his image as the overly junior head of the disintegrating New National Party. Since then he seems to have outgrown his tainted roots, gaining due recognition as the skilful politician and diplomat that he has become.

These skills and a reputation for getting the job done have put him in line to take over from United Nations climate chief Yvo de Boer, winning him the support of lobby groups both in civil society and in governments in both developing and developed countries. It is a reputation that is only now being recognised in SA, despite recognition in foreign capitals for his diplomatic skills.

But does he have what it takes to do what must be one of the toughest jobs anywhere : to bring together a deeply divided world long enough to agree to a legally binding global climate accord in two short years?

In the past year as tourism minister, he has impressed the industry with his hard work and energy. He has always listened, taken to heart complaints and suggestions, and acted swiftly to address them. In less than a year he has drawn up a tourism sector plan that will provide a roadmap for the rapid growth in tourism and has played a critical role in the country's plans for this World Cup.

But Van Schalkwyk is more than a hard worker. He is also strong negotiator who is able to bring together conflicting camps without getting involved in the petty politics, as he showed when he played key role in drawing up the Bali roadmap, a document that framed the current climate talks.

He has been described by those who have worked with him as a strong operator and ambitious politician willing to represent a progressive South African stance at the very highest level.

More recently he hosted the first Group of 20 meeting of tourism ministers, again showing that he is comfortable on a global stage.

If anyone can help move climate change talks forward, it could be Van Schalkwyk.