Most Gauteng communities do not have access to well-equipped sporting
facilities to create a conducive environment for nurturing local talent,
yet the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SACR)
has spent R58 695 284.6 on commemorative day events in the last six
financial years.
Gauteng communities are in dire need of sporting facilities to nurture the
local talents as some are still using dusty sporting fields without proper
facilities, while this department continues to overspend on commemorative
day events.
The millions that were spent on commemorative day events could have been
used to build 27 combi courts for R2 million each. This will ensure that
all our communities have access to well-equipped sporting facilities and
the local sporting club will save costs of travelling to nearby suburbs to
access such facilities.
This information was revealed by the Gauteng MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture
and Recreation (SACR), Mbali Hlope at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature
(GPL).
According to MEC Hlope, the following monies have been spent for
commemorative days in the past six financial years:
– 2016/2017 financial year: R2 899 060.81
– 2017/18 financial year: R2 507 611.00
– 2018/19 financial year: R19 134 827.03
– 2019/20 financial year: R18 438 970.09
– 2020/21 financial year: R5 141 737.05
– 2021/22 financial year: R10 573 077.05
Furthermore, the department claims that these celebrations are essential
because Gauteng residents benefit by getting job opportunities, exposure to
creativity, job opportunities and prioritisation of nation-building.
Past experience has shown that there is nothing spectacular and beneficiary
for artists and residents about these events as only renowned artists are
hired to perform.
It was also revealed that the same companies have been benefiting from
rendering services at these events. How is the department promoting
nation-building if the same people are reaping all the benefits?