Fred Nel, MPL DA Gauteng shadow MEC of co-operative governance, said the metro would do well to take heed of the disastrous Dinokeng Tribe One music festival, which failed to take place in Tshwane, last year.
According to him, they should heed this warning before committing to spending R90-million on the World of Music, Arts and Dance (Womad).
“The Tribe One festival, which was cancelled at the last minute at a cost of R70-m, was footed by residents of Tshwane,” Nel said.
“That money would have been better used to uplift the lives of those in poor communities.
“Similarly, the proposed R90-m spend on hosting Womad, in Ekurhuleni, would be more beneficial if it were to be directed at increasing service delivery.”
Last year, Gauteng experienced catastrophic water shortages – with Ekurhuleni being one of the hardest hit areas.
“The R90-m would be better spent on repairing dilapidated infrastructure, to ensure that residents of Ekurhuleni are not treated as second class citizens,” Nel said.
“Wisely spent, this money would have a knock-on effect – creating jobs in a metro that has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country.
“It will be the act of an irresponsible administration if it chooses to spend an exorbitant amount of money on a music festival while those in desperate need of services and jobs remain neglected.”
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