Swakop Council approves N$1.2m Eswatini games trip
The Swakopmund Municipality has committed more than N$1.2 million to send a 75-member delegation to a municipal sports tournament in Eswatini later this month, with N$506 250 going towards daily allowances.
Council resolved on 30 July to approve participation in the 20th edition of the Southern Africa Inter-Municipal Sports Association (SAIMSA) Games, to be held in Mavuso, Eswatini, from 20 to 25 September.
The resolution was confirmed in the agenda of the ordinary council meeting of 3 September.
The resolution records two amounts. Council approved the trip at a total cost of N$1 200 748, while a second part instructs the general manager: finance to transfer N$960 748 from council funds.
The difference of N$240 000 is the amount the municipal sports club undertook to raise.
The highest single cost is daily allowances, at N$506 250. The rate is set at N$750 per delegate for nine days, comprising N$250 for lunch, N$250 for dinner and N$250 in pocket money. Accommodation includes breakfast.
Accommodation cost
Accommodation for six nights costs N$374 360, split between three establishments in Eswatini.
The report states that council requested quotations from several providers in Eswatini, but only one responded.
Council resolved that 50% of the accommodation cost, amounting to N$187 180, be paid immediately to secure the booking.
Transport and fuel are budgeted at N$250 000. Council resolved that the transport cost be submitted to the Management Committee “once a suitable bidder has been shortlisted”.
No such item appears on the 3 September agenda, with the Games due to begin on 20 September.
Sports attire and branding are budgeted at N$59 138, while registration and affiliation fees amount to N$11 000.
Council also granted approval in principle for special leave for staff wishing to participate and approved the participation of councillors accompanying the sports club.
‘Projected funds not sufficient’
The council approved a municipal minibus to transport sports committee members and councillors between 17 and 26 September.
The report states that the activity is budgeted for the 2026/2027 financial year, but that funds are required in 2025/2026 to meet booking and payment deadlines.
The sports club’s N$240 000 contribution comprises N$2 000 from each participant, a club contribution of N$20 000 and N$80 000 in projected fundraising through raffles, braais and a pageant.
The report states that “the projected funds will not be sufficient to cover all costs related to SAIMSA participation”.
Questions were put to Management Committee chairperson Eddie Angula and the municipality on 31 July.
Angula undertook to respond by 3 August but had not done so by the time of publication, despite subsequent follow-ups.
The municipality also said it would revert and later indicated that a response was still being prepared. No answers had been received by the time of publication.
