Johannesburg - Those million-rand meetings with marquees and 2 000 napkins for cabinet members may soon become a little cheaper.
Twice a year the cabinet has a regular lekgotla and, like previous such meetings, the infrastructure alone for the lekgotla costs about R1 million as the meetings are held at the presidential guest house in Bryntirion Estate, Pretoria, which involves hiring extra infrastructure.
That cost excludes catering.
The upcoming lekgotla, due sometime at the end of June or early July, may be the last of those as the national Department of Public Works, which runs the infrastructure, is trying to save on these meetings.
“Yes there are efforts to reduce the costs. The Department of Public Works is in the process of purchasing temporary infrastructure that will be used for all state events when needed to reduce costs of hiring this equipment,” said department spokesman Thami Mchunu.
“The level of infrastructure to be provided will be as requested by the Presidency at no cost to the state, as we will own the infrastructure.”
Mchunu said the venue for these meetings wasn’t up to Public Works.
The department has previously said that the infrastructure cost is about R1m for each lekgotla. The cost of the upcoming lekgotla hasn’t yet been finalised as it’s still out to tender.
The list of requirements for the upcoming five-day lekgotla includes: a 10m x 20m marquee and a 15m x 20m marquee, both with signage, ramps and fluorescent lighting; more than 100 tables; more than 600 tablecloths (mostly in stone or sand colours, but not cream).
It also includes table blankets and table overlays; two VIP toilets; 1 000 high-quality paper napkins and 1 000 linen napkins; dozens of chairs and covers; and about 40 high-quality flat-panel 21-inch computer monitors.
Also on the list are 200 microphones; a PA system, projector screen and headphones; technicians to run the sound system; compliance certificates for fire, electrical, engineering and occupancy compliance; and fire extinguishers. Notebooks and pens are not included.
The Star