Cape Town - On Tuesday, the Cape Argus reported the news that a whopping R4.5million will be spent on a one-night party to switch on Cape Town’s festive lights and so signal the start of the season.
However, once the news hit social media, many Cape Argus readers voice their discontent over the amount of money being spent on the event. Readers felt that the money would rather be better spent on something else.
Don Fraser: "DA have no sense of how to prioritise spending our rates money. R4.5 for a one night party is CRAZY."
Colleen Olivia Berkinshaw: "Imagine how many houses that money could build for the homeless."
Maureen Mc Nabb: "It's crazy to spend so much money for one day. That money can be put to a good use. Many people in Cape Town are suffering. Help the poor people."
Nawaahl Majiet: "...but they can't approve to upgrade community parks."
Angelique Henn: "Ridiculous!!"
Heather Nel: "This is absolutely crazy ... this money could be better spent elsewhere #notimpressed"
Carolyn Ann Dewrance: "You must be joking, rather spend that money on feeding the poor, then giving it to Eskom."
Gail Marais: What the Hell is wrong with this CoCT!! Total waste of money!!"
Wasteful expenditure in my opinion,while citizens are made to pay „basic charge“ according to their water pipe diameters leading to their houses on top of exorbitant water charges and no maintenance is provided for said pipes. Desalination plants put on hold... https://t.co/9UqG5F7lfq
— DasCoachingPowerhouse 🇩🇪🇿🇦 (@Time2Coach) October 16, 2018
Wish this city wasn't so narrow minded. https://t.co/bCg605O4gM
— CapeTown_Bru (@Apetown_Bru) October 16, 2018
I can think of so many other things this money could be used for. Housing, education, sanitary pads, trains, Myciti bus... just to name a few. https://t.co/0ba1ISJyMV
— Janine Smith (@life_in_cmyk) October 16, 2018
The event attracts thousands of people to the Grand Parade, where they enjoy free music and performances, but the highlight of the night is the switching on of the lights by the mayor.
“There is no additional funding required. Safety and security staff who are on duty for the festive season are deployed to events during this period,” De Lille said.
She added that the value of the event was it was free.
“The annual festive lights switch-on is an institution in Cape Town that resonates with residents from across the city, as well as national and international tourists.
“The festive lights concert on the iconic Grand Parade is a free open-air event which continues to grow each year, drawing close to 100 000 people annually,” De Lille added.
@TheCapeArgus