SA marketing centre a waste: News24

[Chrispy]

SA marketing centre a waste
15/08/2008 21:45  - (SA)

 

Johannesburg - Sport Minister Makhenkesi Stofile had asked his staff to explain why a hospitality and marketing centre in Beijing has not been operational, the SABC reported on Friday.

It said the Ikhaya Centre at one of the newest and trendiest hotels in Beijing was supposed to have opened 10 days ago.

With a budget of R15m, it was to have showcased the country and the 2010 Fifa World Cup throughout the games.

Sport department spokesperson Manase Makwela confirmed the centre was not occupied.

The Ikhaya Centre was also supposed to be operational during the upcoming Paralympics.

The SABC said the department had admitted that millions of rands of taxpayers' money had been wasted.

Chrispy2008-08-15 14:22:38

[Sean Badenhorst]

No surpises there. Actually, the only surprise is that the SABC carried the report. Millions of rand that could have gone on supporting athletes in their quest for medals... Wonder how much other money has been wasted?

[linnega]

Without a doubt one of the most bizarre wastes of money in SA history and that takes some doing.  What was worse is that the department of Sport have a spokesman that is unable to hold a basic conversation. 

 

[Sammajoor]

 

Without a doubt one of the most bizarre wastes of money in SA history and that takes some doing.  What was worse is that the department of Sport have a spokesman that is unable to hold a basic conversation. 

 

America has a president that has the same problem

 

[Dirtbreath]

Supplies!

 

These things dont get to me anymore. I used to get really pissed off about guvument wasting my tax money. I now just look at it at paying stupid tax. It's creating employment for the stupid people.

[porky]

Supplies!

 

These things dont get to me anymore. I used to get really pissed off about guvument wasting my tax money. I now just look at it at paying stupid tax. It's creating employment for the stupid people.

 

Yes, I agree.

 

............. I just cant be bothered to get worked up anymore, and people ask why we as S.Africans have such a negative view of our government in particular.

[Sean Badenhorst]

Sigh. And then one person will get the blame, lose his/her job (maybe) and the rot will just continue when another incompetent dead tree stump fills the vacant position through the very well-worn channels of nepotism.

 

I heard through a contact that the SASCOC media liaison chap was given the boot about six weeks before the Games began. Bet no media were even aware of that since he didn't do any flippen work! He was even surprised at losing his job!

 

When I covered the '96 Olympics, the media liaison for NOCSA was excellent. Oh, that's why, Fiona Coward (organiser of Panorama Tour and Sabie Experience) headed that up.

 

And that, I believe, is one of the reasons there are no corporate sponsors of SA's Beijing team. Media liaison is a very key element for both media (most Olympic journos know little about the 'minor' sports) and potential/exisiting sponsors.

 

Makes me nauseous so I'm going to stop ranting about it in case I puke...