Kodwa’s R16 million Grammy jamboree is a vanity project

26 May 2023

The recent revelation of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture's expenditure to the tune of R16 million on a one-day event to honour three Grammy Award-winning musicians is clearly wasteful expenditure. Such a lavish spending spree, in light of the current cost of living crisis facing South Africa should be cause for great concern.

In a written parliamentary question, the DA demanded transparency regarding the number of guests invited and a breakdown of the total expenses incurred for the event, including the costs of the venue, sound, food, music, and the company that secured the tender. Unfortunately, Minister Zizi Kodwa's response was both disappointing and shocking.

According to the minister, the event had a relatively small attendance of 360 people. However, the staggering amount of R16,097,000 spent on the occasion raises serious concerns about the department's financial priorities.

It is crucial to emphasize that this expenditure was not within the department's allocated budget. The decision to allocate such a significant sum to a single event, without proper justification or oversight, demonstrates a lack of responsible financial management. As representatives of the public, we believe that taxpayer funds should be used judiciously to address pressing issues in this department, such as sport development and funding.

In light of Minister Kodwa's failure to address our initial questions adequately, we are left with no choice but to pursue further clarification through follow-up questions to the ministry next week. We are determined to hold the government accountable for its spending decisions and ensure that wasteful expenditure is curbed, enabling resources to be allocated more effectively for the betterment of all South Africans.

Text of reply:

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY QUESTIO N NO. 1552-2023

WRITTEN REPLY

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 15-203 DATED 05 MAY 2023

Mr. TW Mhlongo: to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture

(1).(a) On what date did he and/or his department honour all SA Grammy Award winners, (b) what total number of guests attended, (c) at which venue, (d) what total amount did it cost to host the event and

(e) what are the details and breakdown of cost of venue, sound, food and music and others.).

(2). (a) what are the full details of the company that received the tender, including the full details and contact information, (b) on which budget line item was the money sourced from and (c) for which financial year? NW1795E

REPLY

(a) The event was held on 20 April 2023

(b) The event had 360 guests.

(c)  The event was held at a venue called Galleria Conference Centre, Woodmead

(d) The total amount spent to host the event was R16 097 000.00. More than two thirds of this budget went towards incentives and funding for the Grammy winners to develop cultural workers in their respective fields, this will be co-ordinated together with the department and the recipients.

(a) The name of the company that received the tender is Abstract Group Media & Marketing Events

(b) The budget was sourced from the Cultural and Creative Industry Development budget.

(c)  It was for the 2023/24 financial year.

ENDS

Issued by Tsepo Mhlongo, DA Shadow Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, 26 May 2023