Although we are extremely sensitive to the needs of the poor and service delivery in this country, were the following items or reasons or rationale ever explored at Cabinet level: first, was there a budget done on the cost of hosting the 2020 Summer Olympic Games? Was it made known to Cabinet that Moses Mabhida Stadium, for example, was designed to seat 87 000 people and has a track fit to host field and track events, as well as opening and closing ceremonies? Of course, that was built at great expense to the country. Further, was it made known to Cabinet that the private sector was prepared to partner government in many of these initiatives, for example, in an equestrian centre and a rowing centre that would be world class? Was it taken into account that there are cities around the country that are capable of hosting numerous events, mainly because of our natural facilities and resources, but also because of the expense from the World Cup?
Finally, was the Ministry for Tourism consulted? I think that there are about 109 membership countries, which would have meant that the tourist base visiting the country in 2020 would potentially have been far larger than the tourist base of the Fifa World Cup.