Do the sponsor process correctly, BCM
While hundreds of other stakeholders – citizens, farmers, academics, land experts, interest groups and political parties – were gathered at a packed Orient Theatre to debate the thorny issue of land ownership in South Africa, councillors at Buffalo City Metro were making a second attempt at convening a council meeting. The meeting had collapsed on Wednesday when opposition councillors walked out in protest over a controversial plan to award R3.4-million in sponsorship to boxing promoter and former ANC Youth League leader Ayanda Matiti. The walkout meant that the meeting could not quorate, hence Thursday’s second attempt – which also failed to meet the required quorum to consider the sponsorship. There is nothing wrong with the city sponsoring boxing, or any other sport event for that matter. In fact BCM’s plans to promote sports tourism in the city have the support of this newspaper. However whatever decision the city makes has to be able to withstand public scrutiny and be above board.
R3.4m is not small change, especially for a city with widespread poverty and as much underdevelopment as ours.
There is also no denial that boxing has cemented East London’s place on the global sporting map.
Unfortunately the lack of investment in the sport, over the years, has seen the city slip from its prized position as a boxing capital. But what is concerning is the rushed manner in which BCM wanted to push the matter through. Frankly the ANC wanted to approve the funding a day before the tournament. ANC chief whip Mzwandile Vaaiboom was quoted in this newspaper as saying: “Let us take the matter [for] legal scrutiny in terms of the processes and let’s mandate the administration to implement the decision without coming back to this council if legally the gaps are closed.” This is shocking to say the least.
If there are possible legal issues regarding the sponsorship, then why would the governing party be pushing for its approval?
Surely common sense dictates that the pending legal issues should first be resolved before the matter is finalised. Matiti, like any other enterprising promoter or entrepreneur, deserves support. But it must be done in the right way.
There is no denial that boxing has cemented East London’s place on the global sporting map