ActionSA and the DA are demanding clarity and accountability from Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie regarding the hefty R31 million spent on FIFA World Cup initiatives.
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture spent nearly R31 million on South Africa’s FIFA World Cup support programme, including more than R10 million on international fan activations, R7.8 million on official travel and R6.3 million on hospitality suites and match tickets.
The department’s latest reconciled expenditure places the total public investment at R30 954 370. The programme was designed to support South Africa’s participation in the tournament while promoting the country’s tourism, culture, creative industries and investment opportunities to international audiences.
However, the department has acknowledged that it is not yet able to point to a specific investment agreement or trade transaction concluded solely because of the programme. It said business and investment leads generated through the international activations were still being consolidated with programme partners and would be included in a final close-out report once verified.
“The Department is not yet claiming that a specific investment contract or trade transaction was concluded solely because of the World Cup programme,” it said.
