Spend money on projects and not on splashy events
I WAS quite shocked to read the article, “Lack of funds scuppers projects” (March 22), where we are told 13 projects aimed at upgrading sport and cultural precincts in Nelson Mandela Bay’s disadvantaged communities have been placed on hold due to “budgetary constraints”.
Add to this all the suburbs and townships in the metro who do not have access to any of this infrastructure in the first place.
Should residents even hope to one day have safe public spaces where their children can learn a new sport or take part in artistic activities?
Considering how youth unemployment, crime and gangsterism are plaguing our communities, how can we fail to take care of our children?
Sports and artistic activities are very efficient ways to keep our children safe while building their self-confidence, and ability to hope and dream about their future.
Surprisingly, the article didn’t provide any information about the costs or the budget allocated for the upgrade of these 13 facilities. Instead we are simply told that the delays to the upgrades are due to budget cuts.
I would be interested to find out how much had been allocated to these projects.
In contrast, several recent articles published in The Herald related how R21-million was given to the company of a politically connected comrade to organise events. We could read about doctored reports, oversees holidays, fancy whiskies and R2-million spent on medals for failed world record attempts (“City of Champions report doctored”, February 21).
Add to this the R7-million spent before the municipal election on the poorly organised Nelson Mandela Cultural Festival (“Holomisa slams city over R7m festivities”, July 14), and God knows how many other big events and festivals where municipal funds are wasted on flops.
On the other hand we also read about artists demonstrating during Human Rights Day against non-payment of money owed (“SA still missing magic to bring unity – mayor”, March 22). What is happening? Given the recent increase in corruption, I can’t help but suspect officials, who seek to enrich themselves illegally, find it much easier to do so through splashy events rather than actually having to invest in the development of infrastructure and human resources to maintain and utilise the facilities.
I wonder if the reason behind the “budget cuts” doesn’t lie elsewhere?
Could it be that funds set aside for the maintenance and upgrade of existing infrastructure were reallocated to these big festivals that organisers claim will create so many jobs and opportunities, but in reality are nothing else than a way to get funds out of the municipal coffers?
A metro that truly cares about its youth is a metro that invests in the development of infrastructure and human resources to make full use of these nation-building assets.
Gerard, Walmer, Port Elizabeth