MyPE

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R2.2 million For Port Elizabeth Youth Day Celebrations

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The R2.2 budget approved by the Premier for the national Youth Day celebrations hosted by the provincial arm of the National Youth Development Agency, at the Wolfson Stadium in KwaZekhele and to be addressed by President Jacob Zuma are exorbitant. This is a huge amount to spend on a single event. This expenditure needs to be monitored extremely carefully because after the NYDA splurged millions on the World Youth Festival, we do not have much confidence in their ability to ensure that this funding will be spent wisely.

But what is also of concern is the fact that this event has been put together at the last minute. This means that normal tender procedures will be by-passed. This province has a history of paying exorbitant amounts for these events where huge profits are made by middlemen with the actual work being sub-contracted.

For example, the Legislature to the People event in Cofimvaba last year was put out to tender at R1.9 million where the key service provider was only paid R1 million.

The DA will be posing a series of questions to the Office of the Premier in relation to a full breakdown of expenditure for this event. We will also query whether the organisers of the event have experience in event management and what they are being paid and whether any sub-contractors are involved.

In the context of high unemployment and a poor education system, this province cannot afford to waste a single cent.

Bobby Stevenson, MPL

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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.

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Comments

  1. And the best part – President Zuma won’t even be in attendance – what a waste of time and money. 

    How about canning all Youth Day celebrations next year and use the money wisely by paying teachers, what they are owed and building some decent schools.

    • The ANC made a plan – Collins Chabane, 
      Minister in The Presidency for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, will stand in for President Zuma at the Youth Day Celebration, in Kwazakhele, today.