By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture revealed it spent R27.9 million sending Team South Africa to the recent Olympic games.
This figure was disclosed by minister Gayton McKenzie in reply to a parliamentary question.
The 146 South African athletes secured six medals, including one gold.
The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) in their response has indicated that invoices are still being processed for the Olympic Games and are therefore unable to quantify the cost per athlete at the time of this response,” said McKenzie.
In addition to athlete-related expenses, it was revealed that the government allocated R1,805,335.74 for official travel to the Olympics.
This budget covered eight officials, including the minister himself, who attended the Games.
“No other officials from the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture (DSAC) traveled to the Olympics,” McKenzie emphasised.
The total expenditure, combining athlete support and official travel, amounts to nearly R30 million.
McKenzie’s trip alone cost R804 597.
This amount included flights, insurance, accommodation and ground transport, which amounted to half of the total amount.
Meanwhile McKenzie announced an ambitious plan called “Project 300” aimed at doubling South Africa’s Olympic team size for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
He said he saw this investment as necessary to uncover hidden talent across the country, particularly in rural and underprivileged areas.