R200 000 bill for Cup souvenirs, says Zille

By Andisiwe Makinana
Political Writer

The provincial government of the Western Cape spent about R200 000 on World Cup paraphernalia,



Premier Helen Zille has revealed.

The amount is a drop in the ocean compared to national government departments and state-owned entities, which the DA claimed spent R145-million on tickets for the World Cup and other sports events.

In a written reply to a parliamentary question, Zille said four provincial government departments spent R196 980 on World Cup paraphernalia.

Cultural Affairs and Sport spent R82 747. Among items purchased were vuvuzelas, mini-flags, drawstring bags, mini-horns and pens for the programmes run by the department for 2010.




Zille said the department had various responsibilities linked to the World Cup and one of these was to ensure that the tournament left a legacy for communities.

Various strategies were implemented throughout the province, which included an international partnership with Holland, Stars in Their Eyes, for the training of coaches; a wide range of football development programmes; the establishment of five public viewing areas in rural areas; the national symbols programme, which aimed to create social cohesion; and the "My 2010 School Adventure" programme.

The Department of Economic Development and Tourism spent R23 775 on paraphernalia for its own programmes, with paraphernalia for the Fan Walk amounting to R10 662 and promotional items costing R49 237.

The Department of the Premier's 2010 Unit spent R19 000 on paraphernalia, while the Transport and Public Works Department spent R11 559.

Among the items Transport and Public Works bought were Bafana Bafana T-shirts, soccer balls, car flags and mirror socks, she said.

Zille said no ministers were given World Cup tickets or paraphernalia by any other sphere of government.

She said while she did not receive any tickets or paraphernalia from another sphere of government, she was invited by the Local Organising Committee to attend the World Cup final.

In early August, the DA said Public Enterprises Minister Barbara Hogan had confirmed that state entities spent R48m on World Cup tickets.

The party said a total of R145m had been spent on World Cup tickets and other sports events.