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.<\/p>\n
According to him, they should heed this warning before committing to spending R90-million on the World of Music, Arts and Dance (Womad).<\/p>
\u201cThe Tribe One festival, which was cancelled at the last minute at a cost of R70-m, was footed by residents of Tshwane,” Nel said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat money would have been better used to uplift the lives of those in poor communities.<\/p>
\u201cSimilarly, the proposed R90-m spend on hosting Womad, in Ekurhuleni, would be more beneficial if it were to be directed at increasing service delivery.\u201d<\/p>\n
Last year, Gauteng experienced catastrophic water shortages \u2013 with Ekurhuleni being one of the hardest hit areas.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWisely spent, this money would have a knock-on effect \u2013 creating jobs in a metro that has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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