The Free State provincial government spent R140m on its website, which is a WordPress site with a template bought from Themeforest for $40. Londonlive Theme vs. Free State Website
Free State director general Elzabe Rockman signed a three-year contract to redesign the website in 2011, but as experience WordPress designers we would estimate this website to take a maximum of 5 days. The site has no custom features and the template features have only been used.
She had reportedly disputed the amount, claiming it was actually R40m which is also a outrageous amount for a website like this.
The agreement was signed with businessman Tumi Ntsele (must have connections within the department), who reportedly holds tenders with several other provincial departments – surprise, surprise.
The company was awarded the tender even though two other companies submitted significantly lower bids.
Etionee Bruwer, owner of web development company Jam Factory quote -
“The company that is working on that site is probably making R3.5m profit a month”
Bruwer said the most paid for a website was R12m, by financial institutions which needed to protect sensitive information, this site doesn’t even have a SSL or dedicated IP address?
Tumi Ntsele told the newspaper opposition parties had an agenda against black businessmen and that the website’s cost was fair. Take a good look at where all your hard earned cash is going, strait into this guys pocket.