Labour federation Cosatu today demanded a full audit on how the National Lotteries Board’s (NLB) R40 million was spent by the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA).
The board gave the NYDA R40 million towards the total cost of R69 million for the world youth and students festival currently under way in Pretoria.
The remaining R29 Million came from the Presidency.
“While Cosatu hopes that the organisation of the festival will improve over the rest of the week, we demand that there be a full audit of how the people’s money from the NLB and the government was spent,” Cosatu spokesperson Patrick Craven said in a statement.
The federation “deplores the reported shambles” at the festival, he said.
“Cosatu understands that speakers were not confirmed and did not arrive, seven out of yesterday’s 18 seminars were cancelled and visitors complained of bad food, a lack of transport and poor co-ordination of accommodation arrangements.
“What particularly angers the federation is that R40 million has been donated to the festival organisers by the NLB,” Craven said.
Cosatu demanded a full audit of how the money was spent.
According to a programme distributed at the start of the event on Monday, ANC veteran Winnie Madikizela Mandela, Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula, Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale and Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu were due to address thousands of young people from over 100 countries at various sessions today.
Organisers then said none of the speakers had confirmed their attendance and would not be present.
