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EC Youth Parliament to cost R425 000 less

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Dear MyPE

The Youth Parliament, due to be held in the Bhisho legislature on 19 June 2015, will cost R425 000 less, thanks to the DA.

In a cash-strapped province like ours, where every cent should be spent on clinics, schools and service delivery, we cannot afford to waste money on overpriced events.

During a meeting of the Standing Committee on Public Participation, Petitions and Education last week, MPLs were informed that this year’s Youth Parliament would cost R1, 640 million. This included a lunch tent worth R425 000, which was to be erected on the legislature grounds for 500 delegates.

This is such an unnecessary expense seeing that the legislature has ample facilities, for free.

Thanks to heavy protest from my DA colleague, Ross Purdon (MPL) and I, the tent was scrapped. We welcome the decision by the committee to let sense prevail over excessiveness.

While the DA acknowledges the Eastern Cape Legislature’s role as a people’s assembly and the need for meaningful and active public participation, we need to instil a sense of austerity as well. What better place to start, than with our youth?

The DA believes in a capable and clean government based on freedom, fairness and opportunity. We will continue to fight for governance that is not perceived as squanderous and wasteful.

Regards

Marshall von Buchenroder

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Port Elizabethan

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