OPPOSITION parties have lashed out at the R100 million spending by the National Youth Development Agency during the 17th World Festival of Youth and Students, calling it a waste of taxpayers' money.
The NYDA yesterday released an expenditure report showing how the festival was funded.
Expenses, including entertainment, catering and transport, totalled more than R100 million.
"This confirms what we have always said that the festival was a waste of taxpayers' money," DA Youth's federal leader Makashule Gana said.
Gana said there was no tangible legacy left by the festival.
Xanthea Limberg, president of ID Youth, said: "Taking into account the conditions our youth are exposed to, such as unemployment and (funding for) education, the festival was a wasteful expenditure."
Front Plus youth spokesperson Wouter Wessels said the party submitted a complaint to the Public Protector last month to probe "alleged irregularities surrounding the NYDA and world festival".
"It is critical that this agency be investigated and the government intervene in the running of the agency," Wessels said.
Presenting the report at the agency's head office in Midrand, NYDA chairperson Andile Lungisa and his chief executive Steven Ngubeni said there had been no mismanagement of funds in the running of the festival held from December 13 to 21 2010 in Pretoria.
Lungisa said more than 15,000 youths from 126 countries attended the festival.
The festival was marred by poor accommodation, catering, speakers not being informed on time and public-kissing scenes.
Ngubeni said a report would be tabled before the auditor-general, minister Collins Chabane and the funders, including the National Lotteries Board.
But Ngubeni said nine service providers were still owed R7,2 million "and a few hotels have yet to be settled".
Parties slate 'R100m waste'
OPPOSITION parties have lashed out at the R100 million spending by the National Youth Development Agency during the 17th World Festival of Youth and Students, calling it a waste of taxpayers' money.
The NYDA yesterday released an expenditure report showing how the festival was funded.
Expenses, including entertainment, catering and transport, totalled more than R100 million.
"This confirms what we have always said that the festival was a waste of taxpayers' money," DA Youth's federal leader Makashule Gana said.
Gana said there was no tangible legacy left by the festival.
Xanthea Limberg, president of ID Youth, said: "Taking into account the conditions our youth are exposed to, such as unemployment and (funding for) education, the festival was a wasteful expenditure."
Front Plus youth spokesperson Wouter Wessels said the party submitted a complaint to the Public Protector last month to probe "alleged irregularities surrounding the NYDA and world festival".
"It is critical that this agency be investigated and the government intervene in the running of the agency," Wessels said.
Presenting the report at the agency's head office in Midrand, NYDA chairperson Andile Lungisa and his chief executive Steven Ngubeni said there had been no mismanagement of funds in the running of the festival held from December 13 to 21 2010 in Pretoria.
Lungisa said more than 15,000 youths from 126 countries attended the festival.
The festival was marred by poor accommodation, catering, speakers not being informed on time and public-kissing scenes.
Ngubeni said a report would be tabled before the auditor-general, minister Collins Chabane and the funders, including the National Lotteries Board.
But Ngubeni said nine service providers were still owed R7,2 million "and a few hotels have yet to be settled".
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