SACR spends R159m celebrating commemorative days
SEDIBENG.- The Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SACR) has wasted over R159m celebrating commemorative days in the past eight years while the province struggles with a persistent unemployment crisis.
This was revealed to Sedibeng Ster by the DA's Kingsol Chabalala, who added that lavish spending amid rising joblessness raises serious concerns about the provincial government's commitment to addressing pressing economic challenges faced by the people of Gauteng.
In response to questions asked by the DA in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL), Gauteng MEC for SACR, Matome Chiloane, revealed that the money was spent entertaining citizens at events held to celebrate Human Rights Day, Freedom Day, Youth Day, Women's Day, Heritage Day and the Day of Reconciliation.
'Instead of spending copious amounts of money on food and busing people to events, it would have been more prudent to invest that money in creating sustainable jobs to benefit our residents both in the short and long term. There are numerous projects that this funding could support, which would improve the lives of our citizens and help reduce the current unemployment rate of 34.4%,' Chabalala said.
Moreover, Chabalala said that these funds could have been better utilised to enhance sports facilities in schools and communities.
'This could include building multi-purpose courts for various sports and swimming pools in township areas. Additionally, investing in support for Gauteng athletes and individuals pursuing careers in the creative arts would be a more effective use of money than spending it on celebration. The DA has been advocating cost-effective ways of celebrating commemorative days in the Gauteng Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Portfolio Committee for the department. We will keep pushing for this through the committee to ensure the department stops wasting millions on these events while our people starve and our sports infrastructure crumbles.'
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