Durban - ETHEKWINI Municipality has admitted it had faced many challenges at the Reed Dance Festival held at Enyokeni Royal Palace, kwaNongoma, in September.
The DA suggested the city take full control of the event for maidens from the municipal area.
Yesterday, the Executive Committee (Exco) heard that the number of maidens had exceeded the expected 5070 attendees. This resulted in an influx of people who had not been catered for, and some had to sleep in buses.
It was also revealed the marquees had been flooded because of rain.
Two marquees had been allocated for participants from the municipality, but these proved insufficient to house the maidens, and there was a shortage of mattresses.
DA councillor Thabani Mthethwa said the city should take full control of the event, from the planning to the closing stage, as it pertained to maidens from eThekwini’s jurisdiction.
The city said it would not be able to take control of the event as it was handled by the provincial Arts and Culture Department.
In September, the Daily News reported that despite assurances from Exco to be hands-on in the organisation of this year’s reed dance, sub-standard service was provided.
Opposition parties claimed that the council had failed to deliver on its promise to keep a close watch on the quality of the service provided.
This year, an estimated R1.6million was spent on 60 buses, 5070 food packs at R100 per person, accommodation for 28 officials at R1500 per person and sleeping foam hired for R100000.
DA councillor Heinz de Boer said it could not be said that the event was a success given the number of problems that were experienced.
“It’s clear that there was an uncontrolled number of people who would seem to have been accommodated by the municipality.
“We can’t conclude that the event was a success. There were no mattresses for the maidens, so where did the money go?
“This proves what was witnessed during an oversight visit at the venue,” De Boer said.
The IFP’s Mdu Nkosi said the report did not address the opposition party’s concerns raised before the event.
He questioned how people who were not known to the officials presented themselves at the event.
“We also need clarity on who catered for the maidens,” Nkosi said.
ANC councillor Mondli Mthembu said there had been foam mattresses at the event, but not enough to cater for the extra maidens.
During last year’s event, the city was slammed for spending R500000 on a carpet that was delivered late and did not provide the maidens with any comfort.