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NMBT Response to ‘R2m blank cheque’ Summer Season Opener Article

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NELSON Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT) board chairperson, Odwa Mtati, has responded to media reports about the city’s upcoming summer season programme.

Mtati said it was important to point out that contrary to remarks reportedly made by Nelson Mandela Bay Municipal (NMBM) councillors at a full council meeting on Thursday 8 Decemebr 2011, NMBT was not mandated to deliver on the city’s summer season events programme.

“Reports insinuated that NMBT was responsible for developing and implementing the summer season programme. This is not the case. Delivery of the summer season programme is a competency of the municipality and NMBT uses Summer Season, as it would any other events to market the city as a destination. Marketing the city as a destination is NMBT’s mandate,” said Mtati.

“However, NMBT, as a municipal implementing agent, was brought on board late last month by the municipality to issue and adjudicate a tender calling for Summer Season event organisers. This was done on behalf of NMBM and was done because of time restrictions due to a delay in municipal budget approval for the Summer Season. NMBT’s procurement processes are quicker because it is a smaller organisation and as an agent of the municipality NMBT’s supply chain management policy aligns with that of NMBM’s.”

Mtati said that the outcome of the tender process by NMBT has been reported to the Executive Director of Economic Development and Recreational Services (EDRS), the directorate in charge of not only the events and tourism development units, but also NMBT.

EDRS executive director Zolile Siswana said the support from NMBT is a fine example of collaboration between NMBM and its agencies.

He echoed what was said by NMB executive mayor Zanoxolo Wayile at Thursday’s council meeting that a collective effort was needed to make Summer Season a success.

“It is no secret that like any other country in the world at present South Africa and indeed Nelson Mandela Bay operate in tough economic times. As a local community we have to make the best of often challenging situations brought about by budget and human resource cut-backs. Yes, the event office in my directorate is manned by one person, but through combining what we have as a municipality, inclusive of its agencies – also the Uitenhage and Despatch Development Initiative (UDDI) and Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA) – we will do the best we can to ensure that NMB does not lose its status as a summer season destination,” said Siswana.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.