It appears the National Youth Festival didn't get off to a very good start. It started late, there was catering problems, transport problems, power failures....
the National Youth Development Agency's Siyabonga Magadla said none of the speakers had confirmed their attendance and would not be present.

He however indicated the sessions - which included "The right to housing", "The struggle for peace, sovereignty and solidarity against imperialism", "Public, free and universal access to education, science, culture and information" - would continue as planned without the politicians.
Source

This festival had a 69 million Rand budget, 40 million of which came from the National Lottery Board.