14 February 2001
Colleagues,
Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Members of the Media
Our President, in his State of the Nation address, outlined government's programme of action for the current year, in line with our objective of a better life for all. The Social Sector Cluster of which Sport and Recreation is an integral part, has identified programmes that will focus on the social upliftment of our people.
My colleague, the Minister of Health, has outlined our commitment to delivery through the Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Strategy and the Urban Renewal Programme.
One of the biggest challenges Sport and Recreation will embark on is a three-year programme of facility provision through its "Building for Sport and Recreation" project. With funds from the Reconstruction and Development Programme having been exhausted in the provision of facilities, "Building for Sport and Recreation" is another phase in Government's determination to deliver in areas where the needs are the greatest.
Government has set aside a sum of 260 million rand that will be utilised for this purpose with the emphasis on the priority areas as outlined by the President. An amount of 40 million rand has been set-aside for the first year with the focus being on contributing towards the alleviation of unemployment through ensuring a labour-intensive approach to the provision of facilities.
The programme is to be implemented by April and provinces have been tasked with identifying projects in line with the Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Strategy and the Urban Renewal Programme. In short, through the provision of facilities, Sport and Recreation aims to address three fundamentals:
1. Creating opportunities for the most needy to participate in Sport and Recreation activities;
2. Bridging the imbalances that exist between rural and urban communities, insofar as accessibility to adequate facilities is concerned;
3. Contributing towards poverty relief through the creation of job opportunities.
The main focus of the programme will be the erection of both outdoor and indoor facilities as well as the rehabilitation and upgrading of existing facilities. Key elements in this programme will be the provision of training in facility management and the implementation of sustainable maintenance projects.
Sport and Recreation is also a beneficiary of the proceeds of the National Lottery. This will contribute substantially towards alleviating the problem of the lack of financial resources in Sport and Recreation.
A Distribution Agency for Sport and Recreation has been established. The main focus of this Agency will be the establishment and consolidation of thriving, sustainable, mass-based Sport and Recreation structures and programmes, especially in disadvantaged, rural communities.
This will be achieved through:
Institutions and organisations will be invited to submit proposals for one or a combination of projects to be considered for funding from the National Lottery proceeds. It is envisaged that this initiative will kick-start by April this year, with a projected allocation of between 300 and 400 million rand being made available over a five-year period.
The South African Sports Commission is set to revive and promote Indigenous Games in all nine provinces.
This is an initiative to generate interest and participation in social activities/games/sport that have been engaged in by our people for centuries but have been overshadowed by what is referred to as mainstream sport activities. Indigenous games include Dibeke, Diketo, Jukskei, Kgati, Kho-Kho, Morabaraba and Ncuva.
The launch of the Indigenous Games project takes place on Saturday 24 February 2001 at the Basotho Cultural Village in Qwa-Qwa in the Free State.
I have also appointed a Task Team to draft a Way Forward for South African Sport.
The Task team, with Dr Joe Phaahla, the CEO of the South African Sports Commission, as the chairperson, has been mandated to undertake the following:
The Task Team has already met and a number of sub-committees have been set up to research and report back on their mandate. A preliminary report will be finalised by March this year and will be submitted to a national conference of stakeholders for consideration, with a final report being submitted in July.
One of the key areas will be to implement a system whereby resources are utilised more efficiently, effectively and equitably.
The Minister of Health has spelt out our multi-sectoral approach to HIV/AIDS. This includes primary intervention efforts through life skills programmes in schools. In addition to this, Sport and Recreation is an important medium for creating awareness amongst our youth of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Sport and Recreation South Africa, in collaboration with the South African Sports Commission, have in place an educational drive aimed particularly at sportspersons.
The role of sport in marketing South Africa internationally is another key focus in my Department, through our involvement in the International Marketing Council.
The development of Sports Tourism as a major component of the unfolding tourism industry has significant implications for job-creation, in addition to creating a positive image of our country.
In conclusion, while the tendency in our country is to focus on major national and international sporting events, through the key areas of delivery outlined, it is envisaged that Sport and Recreation will play an increasingly important role in the daily lives of ordinary South Africans.
Issued by Ministry of Sports and Recreation