Metro denies spending millions on student gig
The Tshwane metro denied spending R4 million of tax payers money to fund a concert for students last week.
The Tshwane metro has denied spending R4 million on the Student Fiesta Festival that took place last week.
Mayoral spokesperson Blessing Manale said the metro only contributed R1.5 million to the event.
“The funds were allocated from existing allocations of marketing activities and lapsed sponsorships like the TUKS Rag, which the [metro] no longer contributes to financially,” said Manale.
The Fiesta formed part of an orientation programme aimed at promoting social cohesion and cultural diversity, Manale said.
The SA Student Congress (Sasco) has accused the metro of recklessly spending of taxpayers’ money to fund the concert.
Held at the Tshwane Events Centre last Friday, thousands of students attended the free concert at which stars such as Cassper Nyovest, Black Motion, Sphectacula and DJ Naves performed.
Sasco regional secretary Cabanga Maluleka said the metro spent money on a concert and neglected financial shortfalls by students unable to register and continue their studies.
“How can potential students celebrate being students while they’re outside the system with little or no hope of registering? Convening a party while students are swimming against the tide of debts is an insult, not only to students, but the general population in the metro,” Maluleka said.
Manale said the metro had various mechanisms to assist underprivileged students.
“Pledging his solidarity towards assisting financially needy students, [Tshwane] mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa pledged R1.5 million to Unisa, University of Pretoria, Tshwane University of Technology and Tshwane South and North colleges last week,” said Manale.
“We will continue to foster nation building and social cohesion through popular culture among our youth and ensure that our developmental initiatives are aimed [at] bridging the racial divide in our city.”
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