R1-m pageant goes ahead without approval, says DA

THE Miss eThekwini pageant, which came under heated discussion in July when it was revealed the city was preparing to spend more than R1-million on the event, appears to be going ahead despite not having received approval from eThekwini council.

Ward councillor Nicole Graham, who called the pageant “wasteful expenditure” when it was raised in council in July, said it was an “absolute disgrace” that the city was prepared to spend so much money on a beauty pageant when it claimed there was not money to increase security in well-known crime hot-spots throughout the city where women were often victims..

“The event, was referred back to political caucuses by the Community and Emergency Services Committee two months ago. It has not appeared on the agenda again or come to a committee meeting of the eThekwini Council,” said Graham.

She said when it was first referred back, Parks and Recreation Head Thembinkosi Ngcobo said the pageant preparations were already underway. He later appeared on radio and in the media to advertise the event, despite it having not been officially approved.

At last month's committee meeting, in response to questions from DA councillors, Ngcobo denied that any preparations had begun. “At Durban Day, on 7 September, several women wearing “Miss eThekwini Finalist” sashes were spotted in the official Durban Tourism marquee. They confirmed they were 2014 finalists. It would seem that this event has gone on despite concerns raised from all political parties. It is incomprehensible that this event would continue, costing R1-million rand of valuable Parks Department money, without any chance for the elected leaders of this city to decide on the matter. The City Manager, and indeed Mr Ncgobo, must account for how this has happened,” she said.

“Parks money cannot be used so flagrantly while our parks are not safe, clean and user-friendly for all who use them,” she said.