Lack of fans in sport stadia hurting GDP – expert
The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture held a media briefing on Tuesday
ahead of the return of sport fans to stadia.
Executive director of the South African Cultural Observatory, Unathi Lutshaba, said the contribution the sector makes to GDP has decreased substantially.
“The contribution to the GDP shrank by R42 billion in 2020 a 50% drop from the previous year. In 2021 there has been slow improvement with the contribution standing at R46 billion which is 44% drop from 2019.”
Meanwhile, the department’s director-general Vusumuzi Mkhize said there is process in place when it comes to hosting any sporting event.
“For the hosting of event there is a process that one has to follow. Particularly, sporting events if they are international, depending on whether you’ll require government support or not there are things that require government to provide. For example, security, permits, visa and all those requirements need to be assed based on the nature of the sporting events.”
This comes after the department announced that 2 000 spectators will be allowed to watch Tuesday’s game between Bafana-Bafana and Ethiopia.
“So, you’ll need to apply, and there are clear guidelines that have been shared with all the sporting codes in the country they now what process to follow in order to host international events. You don’t wake up and stage an event,” said Mkhize.
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