Statement by MEC Barbara Creecy during the tabling of the Budget Speech 2007/8

In his midterm review of the Gauteng Provincial Government, Premier Mbhazima Shilowa highlighted priorities to ensure that the provincial government fulfils its political mandate by 2009. These are to build Gauteng as a globally competitive city region, to implement the Gauteng Social Development Strategy, to build sustainable communities and to strengthen the organisation and the capacity of the State.

In responding to the priorities the Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation developed two overarching strategies to guide the work of the Department as well as to contribute meaningfully to the four key areas highlighted by the Premier: the Integrated Sports Strategy and the Creative Industries' Development Framework.

These strategies guide the Department in ensuring that not only do sports, arts and culture assist in making a substantial contribution to the growth of the Gauteng economy, in creating jobs and alleviating poverty but that their significant role in promoting social stability, cohesion, deepening democracy and nation building is always assured.

Preparations for 2010

As part of the 2010 Integrated Strategic Framework, the Department has invested R60 million in our 2010 legacy stadia: Sinaba and HM Petje.

This demonstrates provincial government's commitment to building football assets in disadvantaged communities and leaving a lasting legacy of development through our commitment to 2010.

Competitive sport

About R23 million has been allocated to bidding for and hosting competitive sport. The Department has successfully bid for a number of national and international events which will profile Gauteng as "The Home of Champions". The list includes the Corrie Saunders fight that took place on 12 May this year, the Nike/South African Football Association (SAFA) Manchester tournament, a national under 19 and under 21 netball tournament in Ekurhuleni, the South African Sport Association for Physically Disabled, National Winter Multi-code Games and the Confederation Schools Ball Games. In addition the Department has ensured that the finals of the Vodacom Challenge Cup take place in Gauteng for the next three years. This year the action packed tournament will see Pirates and Chiefs taking on Tottenham Hotspurs.

School sport

The school sport programme is an important tool to enhance mass participation in sport for which the department has budgeted R18,4 million for this financial year. It is almost universally true that strong sports performance starts from a very young age and if we are to truly become the "Home of Champions" the Department must continue to ensure that sports of all kinds are offered at schools throughout the province.

Community participation in sport

Mass participation in sport, covering both community recreation and school sport, is a key pillar of the Integrated Sports Strategy. The Community Recreation Programme is now based in forty recreation centres across the province including the twenty townships prioritised by provincial government for regeneration. The budget for this programme has also grown from R32 million in the last financial year to R36,3 million for 2007/08.

Creative Gauteng

For the creative industries, this year the Department has budgeted for R25,7 million to support the artistic and creative expression of the Gauteng talent and ensure that their cultural products are developed, produced, seen and experienced by local and international audiences. This includes the Gauteng Carnival, Jazz in the taverns, support for crafters and out heritage programmes.

Gauteng Arts and Culture Council (GACC)

The grant-in-aid allocation managed by the GACC has increased to R6,5 million. This represents an increase of 600% from 2004/05. We will shortly announce the names of the 77 organisations from across the province that will benefit from the fund.

Library and Archival Services

The increase in the allocation for Library and Archival Services from R14,25 million in 2006/07 to R38 million in this budget period is an increase of 167,2% and is much needed and appreciated. This programme will use R5 million to support municipalities to implement reading programmes, purchase books and other material, subscribe to newspapers and other periodicals and provide reference and information services. R5,2 million will be used to provide an integrated and functional information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure network and system for all libraries. The national Department of Arts and Culture has made a conditional grant of R18,8 million available to recapitalise libraries.

Gauteng Youth Commission (GYC)

Last year the Gauteng Provincial Government established the GYC to advise the provincial government on youth development matters and to strengthen the partnership between government and the youth in the province. The commission represents youth from all walks of life in Gauteng including youth involved in faith-based organisations (FBOs), business, political and disability movements, human rights, gender issues, HIV and AIDS, community policing, skills and entrepreneurial development. I am pleased to announce that we have set aside R8 million for the newly established GYC.

The new Gauteng youth commissioners will play a key role in promoting youth development in the province. The aim of the allocation is to strengthen the organisation and enable it to fulfil its role in monitoring and evaluating the implementation of youth programmes run by the various Gauteng Provincial Government departments.

For more information please contact:
Nomazwe Ntlokwana
Tel: 011 355 7525
Cell: 083 507 8068

Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government
12 June 2007