Issued by: Department of Sport & Recreation
PRESS RELEASE BY THE MINISTER OF SPORT AND RECREATION, MR STEVE TSHWETE, ON THE NATIONAL SANGALA RECREATION PROGRAMME: 13 AUGUST -1996: CAPE TOWN AT 11:00
INTRODUCTION
With the objective to actively involve the citizens of South Africa in healthy, physical recreation activities, the Department of Sport and Recreation (DSR) in conjunction with Recreation South Africa (RECSA), launched a national recreation programme called SANGALA. SANGALA, which is an acronym for "South African National Games and Leisure Activities" was launched on 3 February 1996.
Recreation is what the people of this country have been waiting for. The Department has embarked on this programme to provide mass participation through recreation activities. Through the programme, we hope to reach 50% of the population of our country by the year 2000. The National SANGALA Recreation Programme consists of six projects aimed at effectively promoting mass participation and leisure utilisation in recreation activities.
THE SIX PROJECTS
The six projects which form the SANGALA programme are currently running in the nine provinces of the country. Progress reports from the Department indicate extensive success from all the provinces.
The six projects fall under the following categories:
COMMUNITY SANGALA, aims at encouraging grassroots community participation in low-key competitive recreational activities, where winning plays no role. This project claims the most widespread participation of all the projects so far as more than 233 000 participants from 284 communities were reached in the six months period since February 1996. Community SANGALA provides opportunities to those who do not have the physical skills or talent to compete in sport and who are not financially able enough to afford expensive sporting gear and apparatus. Community SANGALA activities are not confined to a sportsfield but can be adapted to be played on any flat surface or open space.
CORPORATE SANGALA involves the promotion of the concept of total wellness of top and middle level management in both the public and private sectors by means of recreation (active healthy lifestyle) orientated self-management and capacity building programmes. The service deliverer is the South African Bickinetics Association. The pilot project commences in September 1996 with members of the top and middle managements of the DSR and the top management of the Provincial Departments responsible for sport and recreation.
SENIOR SANGALA, involves a health, fitness and quality of life programme for all senior citizens. The service deliverers will be the South African Council for the Aged and the South African Senior Fitness Association. The main thrust of the projects will be physical recreation activities and Senior SANGALA Fun Days as well as leadership training in fitness programmes and the development of life skills for senior citizens. The aim is to reach senior citizens from disadvantaged communities who have never had the opportunity to participate in recreational activities. We hope to reach more than 33 000 additional senior citizens through active participation in recreation by May 1997.
RURAL SANGALA is target at the improvement of life in underdeveloped communities by providing opportunities in healthy, constructive recreation activities. 95% of recreation participation are ordinary activities and take place close to the individual's residence. Rural SANGALA is aimed at taking recreation to the rural areas and informal settlements by means of a support system of trained volunteers. The pilot project takes place in Hammanskraal in August 1996.
For the disadvantaged street children, STREET SANGALA is aimed at combating substance abuse and promoting their involvement in to community life. NGO's and social workers together with the DSR, are jointly developing a delivery strategy. This strategy will not only focus on physical activities but will also extend laterally to include social skills and life skills. During the pilot project in Durban, 1 100 street children were involved.
Finally, TRAINING SANGALA is a leadership capacity building project for community recreation leaders who will be able to present the above projects in their respective communities in future. The development of recreation leaders is considered as the key aspect for the comprehensive and sustainable development of recreation. Trained human resources are essential for the adoption and development of a new life style and for the promotion of well-being and a better quality of life. More than 700 recreation leaders have been trained during the last six months.
THE NATIONAL SANGALA FESTIVAL
The DSR, in conjunction with RECSA, have scheduled a National Community SANGALA Festival to take place at the Margate Sport School in Kwazulu-Natal from 21 to 25 August 1996. This national Festival is the culmination of the grass root level participation in both fun activities as well as low level competitive recreational activities. More than 1 200 participants, officials and organisers from all nine provinces will be participating in the four day festival.
I will open this festive occasion on 22 August 1996 at the Margate Sport School.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, recreation participation is a fundamental human right and must be accessible to all. Providing recreational activities is thus essential for my Department who wishes to improve the quality of life of urban and rural residents in our country.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF SPORT AND RECREATION
DATE: 1996-08-13
CAPE TOWN
ENQUIRIES: MR ALAN BUSH TEL (012) 334 3187 OR 082 45 737 24
AND MS LYNNE LOURENS TEL (012) 334 3186 OR 082 45 737 28