EDITOR – It pains me to say this but, despite all the reported jubilation and celebration, the news that the city has ‘won’ the bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games is not good news for Durban and for rate paying Durbanites.
To be clear, Durban did not “win” the bid. It was the only other city beside Edmonton in Canada to apply, and the only one left after Edmonton pulled out. Hardly an auspicious start or a ringing endorsement.
I really hope that I’m wrong on this but experience shows me that this is not going to end well. It will cost the ratepayer untold gazillions for very little benefit to the city and its residents.
Durban can’t even run itself properly or apply its own by-laws effectively as it is. It has an appalling track record in maladministration and corruption, and law and order is constantly flouted by those in authority. Now the focus will be even more off service delivery and good governance as local politicians and their hangers on (read those awarded all the tenders that the Games will need) rush to make glib and misleading soundbites about their vision for Durban’s future.
There’ll be no winners here save for the fat cat politicians, sports administrators and those on the payroll for this big buck but fruitless and wasteful jamboree.
And Durban will pay and pay and pay. Believe me…
Mark Lowe
Durban Action
