20 FEBRUARY 2000
It has now been seven years since we as South Africans were finally released from the manacles of oppression. The atrocities and inequalities of the past have wreaked havoc on the economy of the country, the resources (both natural and human) and most significantly the morale of our people. The transformation process is therefore, still in its formative stages as we aim to promote deracialisation, resource development and redress the backlog that has resulted from our history.
Despite the advent of democracy it is necessary that we recognise that we are still a changeling democracy and that there are many challenges, both new and inherited, that we face as a nation.
Having painted this picture, it seems clear that the next art biennale or soccer fixtures cannot solve the problem of economic depravation, or the daily escalating need for increased education or health services. Yet we cannot ignore the relationship between socio-economic and political conditions and recreational and cultural productions or manifestations, both nationally and internationally. Culture has always been the focal point in defining and forging identities. With its inherent link to identity, culture on a broader level, gives people a sense of belonging, forging human relationships and encouraging social development. Sports and recreation, arts and culture and information are all therefore intrinsically linked to issues of culture, heritage and identity. Being central to human development, sports, arts and culture were historically used as hegemonic weapons to further entrench white supremacy. Conversely it was these disciplines that also became central to the struggle for freedom and it was sports, arts and culture that became beacons of hope and for many Black people it also became a means of confronting the oppression that was imposed upon them. Today as we strive to build a new patriotic order and re-build a resourceful nation, sports; recreation; arts and culture continue to play a momentous role in our society both socially and economically. Most importantly they have begun to instill both individual and national pride and dignity and a sense of holistic human development for all South Africans.
The vision of the Department of Sports Recreation Arts and Culture is to have a vibrant, participating and informed community that is economically viable and proud of its culture and heritage.
As a means of practically implementing this vision the Department has marked seven key priority programmes for the financial year 2001/ 02. In keeping with its mission to promote cultural infrastructure and programmes in partnership with society, for the improvement of the quality of life for the people of Gauteng, the Department has endeavored to build and upgrade 30 facilities. The upgrading and building of these facilities will address issues of equitable access and redress the historical imbalances and backlogs.
In keeping with the cultural industries growth strategy, the Department aims at further developing cultural industries. By working in partnership with CBO's and NGO's , identifying talent, providing skills training and creating job opportunities within departmental programmes, the Department aims at promoting crafts, music, film, publishing and performing arts thereby improving the quality of life for cultural workers working within these disciplines.
The transformation of libraries and the provision of an information and communication technology network is another priority that aims primarily at redress. The Born to Read Campaign that was launched last year is aimed at promoting literacy and promoting libraries as centres of empowerment. Education is one of the key resources of a nation and it is through centres of information like libraries coupled with formal education that enlightenment and true learning can be achieved. In our quest to build a new patriotic order through celebration and commemoration, the Department co-ordinates commemorative days. These days not only aim at providing job opportunities for cultural workers but play a key role in nation building and youth development. One of the key projects this year will be the erection of the Sharpeville memorial on 21 March, Human Rights Day. The event will commemorate all those people who were involved in the Sharpeville Massacre.
The event has been long awaited by the people of Sharpeville and will be significant in reclaiming a history that has either been distorted, if not totally tabooed.
As part of the co-ordination of commemorative days, the Department will embark on a Heritage Month Festival.
Last year saw the launch of a successful Heritage Week Festival that showcased jazz and choral music as one of its programmes. Being the hub of cultural and artistic activity, Gauteng is one of the leading provinces with regards to arts and culture in the country. It was therefore realised that a month-long festival will not only provide ample time to showcase and do justice to all the various art-forms within the province, but will also provide significant economic opportunities in terms of job creation and cultural tourism. By working in close partnership with key stakeholders the Department remains prepared to face one of its main challenges of demographic and geographic representivity within mass participation.
Sport occupies a central position in South African life and is one of the most significant contributors to nation building. However due to past inequalities here again issues of redress need to be realised. The high performance sport development programme aims at promoting and increasing performance levels amongst athletes and coaches by providing infrastructure and access to sports medicine, biokinetics and related services. This programme aims primarily at nurturing and developing talent thereby encouraging national and international success.
Masakhane, which literally means "let's build together," is a community- based programme that aims at promoting sport, recreation, arts, culture and libraries to all sectors of community.
It focuses primarily on identifying talent within these communities and nurturing this talent through the high performance sport programme. The main objective of the programme is to instill a sense of dignity, pride and morale to people within communities. Since sport is about competitiveness, sporting programmes within these communities encourages competition, thereby increasing performance standards. This culture for success permeates through all aspects of life and will one day result in a nation that strives for maximum performance levels on both national and international fronts.
While "what we are" is central to our individual selves, "what we are doing" and "what we will do" is core to a new patriotic order. As I stated earlier, we are a new democracy that has had an atrocious history that was made public to the rest of the world, our most precious resource as we enter the world, may just be the lack of a clearly defined identity. We are not bound by the rest of the traditional world or governed by archaic Western norms, we are African, we are strong and flexible because we are a young country and we are therefore free to make up our identities as we progress in time and space. Sports, recreation, arts and culture are but one of the necessary vehicles within which this purpose can be reached.
Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government
For more information contact: Ereshnnee Naidu
0824903943 / 355 2578