While both the National Freedom Party and the African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal welcomed Durban’s hosting of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the Democratic Alliance questioned who would foot the bill for the R6.8 billion spend required to host the games.
The Inkatha Freedom Party also welcomed the award, but said that “$10 million dollar surprises” should be avoided with sporting authorities being transparent in all their dealings.
NFP leader Zanele kaMagwaza Msibi said she had been sceptical at the city’s readiness to host the games.
“It’s a great feeling for me that in my time, I witness such a historical announcement made. I am proud that once again, South Africa is making history in the whole continent, just like we did during the 2010 World Cup.”
However, she called on the benefits of hosting the event to not be limited to those in positions of wealth and power.
“I am hopeful though that this time around, people on the ground will immensely benefit, compared to the hosting of the World Cup, when street vendors were not even allowed within the perimeters of the stadia. The city of Durban has to [do] things differently this time around and ensure that its citizens own the hosting and that they benefit financially and otherwise,” she said.
DA provincial leader Zwakele Mncwango questioned the hosting of the event and said the celebrations made no real sense, especially since Durban was the only city in the running to host the event.
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) on Wednesday announced in Auckland, New Zealand, that Durban will host the 2022 Commonwealth Games, making South Africa’s third largest city the first African city to host the event.
Durban was only the city vying to host the 2022 event after the Canadian city of Edmonton withdrew its bid because of economic concerns in the wake of the drop in worldwide oil prices.
“As much as we celebrate the hosting these games, the reality is the president himself recently said our economy is ill. He said we need to make decisions understanding our economic crisis,” said Mncwango.
“But then for the leadership to go ahead and celebrate the fact that we are going to host the games that will cost us more than R6.8 billion in the current economic crisis, it tells you how priorities are squeezed. And it tells you that people can say something and do something else.”
He said that he did not believe the country’s economy could afford the games. He said that the money would be better spent on sorting out the electricity crisis and the impending water shortage in the province.
Mncwango described the hosting of the games as a want, but that the provision of water and electricity was a need.
“Right now we can’t afford to spend money on wants. Wants are unlimited, but we can’t survive without electricity and water.”
He said that while he accepted there would be a temporary boost to the economy while the games were staged, thereafter there would be no major benefit to the economy. Mncwango also questioned the R6.8 billion price tag and pointed towards the city’s Moses Mabhida Stadium which was built for the 2010 soccer World Cup.
When announced in 2006, the then KwaZulu-Natal premier Sbu Ndebele said the stadium would cost R1.6 billion. It was ultimately completed at a cost of R3.6 billion.
Mncwango expressed the concern that the city’s rate payers would ultimately have to foot the bill for the games.
However, the eThekwini Metro Mayor James Nxumalo was of the opposing view.
“Government is confident that the opportunity to host the Games in 2022 will accelerate infrastructure development and refurbishment of sports facilities in the City which will form part of the City’s sustainable sports development programmes, which will in turn improve the lives of underprivileged children and adults in various communities,” Nxumalo said in a statement from Auckland.
The athlete’s village that would be built in Cornubia, Mount Edgecombe, would be handed over to beneficiaries, he said.
“The eThekwini leadership is confident that our City has the expertise, capabilities and infrastructure to be able to handle about 200,000 visitors expected to come to Durban during the Games,” said Nxumalo.
The ANC’s provincial secretary Sihle Zikalala backed Nxumalo, saying that it was high time that the games were held on the African continent.
“We believe that the Games will provide the opportunity at both an economic and social level, in particular the development and inspiration of young people not only in South Africa but the rest of the African continent,” he said.
The Inkatha Freedom Party’s sports spokesman Petros Sithole welcomed the awarding of the games to Durban, but said the party hoped that all the processes involving the games would be transparent.
“We want this event to be very transparent. After this information that there is $10 million which has been given to other countries, we need this event to be very transparent.”
Earlier this year, it emerged that South Africa had made a $10 million payment to Fifa in connection with the 2010 Soccer World Cup. South Africa has denied the payment was a bribe linked to the investigations into Fifa that are currently ongoing.
– African News Agency (ANA)
