Stiff price tag for Durban to host advertising awards

Durbanites will be partying with the who’s who of the South African advertising industry at the Loerie Awards in August – but will have to fork out R12.5-million to do so.

The majority of the eThekwini municipality’s executive committee yesterday agreed to pay the money to cover the venue costs for the Loeries Creative Week, which takes place at the International Convention Centre from August 10.

According to municipal manger Sibusiso Sithole said the event would be “very beneficial” for the city. “It will also cement our position as the events capital of South Africa,” said Sithole.

However, the DA argued that Loeries might not be value for money, describing it as “a nice-to-have, but not a must-have” event.

This year’s event would cost ratepayers R3.9-million, and this would increase to R4.1-million and R4.4-million in 2016 and 2017 respectively.