Issued by the Ministry of Sport and Recreation
12 September 2001
SPORT AND RECREATION AS A VEHICLE IN BUILDING A NATION UNITED IN ACTION FOR CHANGE
1. Introduction
Members of the Media;
Ladies and Gentlemen
In my address to the National Assembly on 29 May 2001, I spelt out in the Budget Vote the role of sport and recreation in addressing the Government objective of "Building a Nation United in Action for Change".
As I stated at the time, I am convinced that sport in this country is ideally located to play a significant part in this context. However, in order for sport to fulfil such a role, transformation of sport should be at the heart of it. The reality facing us is that unity in sport, ten years down the line, can only be consolidated through transformation. Codes of sport might be united but whether they are united in action for change is a moot point.
I am often confronted by ordinary sportsmen and sportswomen questioning who the main beneficiaries of unity are. It raises a host of possibilities but the undeniable fact is that a sizeable part of the sporting fraternity is still not enjoying the fruits of unity.
In an assessment of the work of the Ministry of Sport and Recreation during the last six months, I intend putting the focus on a few key issues, including transformation and the ever-presence of racism in sport.
2. Ministerial Task Team on High Performance Sport
This Task Team was appointed by me in November 2000 to look into factors that impact negatively on South Africa's performance in various international competitions and to come forward with recommendations on ways and means to improve South African performances in major international sporting events. Our current performances, we believe, are below what we are capable of.
In particular, the brief of the Task Team was to recommend how to eliminate or decrease the degree of fragmentation in the delivery of high performance sport. After a series of consultative meetings, including input from various international experts, a draft of the final report was submitted to me in August this year.
The report includes a number of recommendations pertaining to, amongst others:
The task team reported on various aspects pertaining to high performance sport, that include:
Further inputs have come from National Federations as well as from members of the public. These inputs are being summarised and assessed and appropriate inputs will be considered for incorporation into the final report that is due in mid-October.
I will present this report to Cabinet for consideration.
3. Building for Sport and Recreation Project
I have given notice that it is my intention to bring sport and recreation into the mainstream of Government efforts aimed at working for change in the country, and in particular the fight against poverty.
Our "Building for Sport and Recreation" project that was launched nationally on 10 August 2001 at Peddie in the Eastern Cape, will ensure the upgrading and erection of 55 sports facilities in all nine provinces at a cost of R40 million. These facilities are all due to be completed by 31 March 2002.
In the ensuing financial years, a total of R225 million will be spent on the further provision and upgrading of sports facilities.
Besides the fact that this project will go some way towards addressing the sports facilities' backlog in poor and disadvantaged communities, it is also aimed at creating temporary and permanent jobs, resulting in income generation and, thus, poverty relief.
In all projects the aim is to employ local labour with a bias towards women, the youth and those with disabilities. My department has set targets in this regard. At least 30% of the project budget relating to labour, must be allocated to women.
During the current financial year, we will have reached 33% of the nodal points identified by the President in line with Government's urban renewal and rural development strategies.
4. Funding from the National Lottery
The Distribution Agency for sport and recreation has assessed 100 applications received for funding. Thus far, a total of R20 million has been allocated from an initial budget of R40 million. Further allocations will be made later this year.
5. Legislation
The South African Sports Commission Act, as amended, is now in place and a General Assembly of the Sports Commission is due to be held in October to give effect to the amendments.
While the South African Boxing Act has been promulgated, a commencement date must still be gazetted. I do not expect the Act to come into effect before November. By then the regulations should have been finalised and I am considering a national convention of all boxing stakeholders where the various associations as determined in the Act could be set up. These associations would table nominations for consideration as members of Boxing South Africa.
I am in the process of finalising an Amendment Bill to the South African Sport and Recreation Act. The current state of affairs in a number of National Federations is characterised by in-fighting, a perceived lack of unity, resistance to transformation, prejudices and bias and a lack of commitment towards rural communities, the promotion of women and the disabled in sport.
Taking into consideration these factors, it has become crucial for Government to ensure that these situations are reversed. The amendment to the Act is a transparent process whereby Government wants to ensure good governance in South African sport.
Already, it was necessary for me to intervene on a number of occasions where sport has suffered as a result of internal differences and strife. To cite examples, the Comrades Marathon, undoubtedly one of our largest sporting events, was not under the ambit of Athletics South Africa. It resulted in conflict but a working agreement has since been forged. The same applies to the Argus Cycle Tour and the South African Cycling Federation. Just this past week, my department has facilitated in a resolution of differences.
We have also succeeded in bringing together all opposing groups in karate. This long, drawn-out process was finally brought to a head on 18 August when all stakeholders agreed to a new way forward for the sport. An advisory committee has been set up with the purpose of advising the South African Sports Commission on matters relating to the sport. It is envisaged that a fully united national body will come into place by March next year.
Earlier this year, allegations of mismanagement of finances were levelled against top administrators within Athletics South Africa. At the time, I indicated that on the basis of evidence presented to me, I would investigate all allegations. These investigations have since been completed under the co-ordination of the chief financial officer in my department.
As indicated in the media release included in your media packages, the investigations have revealed no evidence to support the allegations.
6. Racism and Transformation in Sport
However much many of us want to deny the existence of racism and racial prejudices in sport, experiences of racism within the boardrooms, on the playing fields and in the sports media (more so, in the print media) remain a reality.
At the recently-held international Colloquium on Racism in Sport, aptly named Red-Carding Racism in Sport, it was abundantly clear that racism in South African and world sport is still prevalent. A number of the National Federations present made pledges on programmes of action to eliminate racism in their respective codes. They are to be commended for this with the understanding that fighting racism cannot be separated from the transformation process that is so vital in sport.
Since the Colloquium, a few representatives of the print media have attempted to take issue with me on my assertion that there are elements within the media who still cannot shake off their racist prejudices. If only those individuals attended the Colloquium, they would have had first-hand experience of the sentiments of the 200 delegates present.
A number of resolutions and a programme of action were adopted at the conclusion of the Colloquium. I have included copies thereof in your packages and wish to urge you to assist the process of fighting racism and racial prejudices by advocating non-racism and non-sexism through the media but also within your own ranks.
7. Broadcasting of National Sporting Events of Public Interest
The three broadcasters have agreed in conjunction with ICASA , my department and the Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation to finalise a self-regulatory process whereby the broadcasters would draft a final list of national sporting events that should not be acquired exclusively for subscription broadcasting. An agreement will be finalised by the broadcasters by the end of October. Meanwhile ICASA will pursue the public process linked to the broadcasting of national sporting events within the current financial year.
8. Commissions of Inquiry
The Commission of Inquiry into Cricket Match-Fixing and Related Matters has been finalised and some of the recommendations have since been adopted by the United Cricket Board of South Africa.
Any further proceedings related to this are now being dealt with by the office of the National Director of Public Prosecutions.
The Commission of Inquiry into the Ellis Park Disaster is currently hearing oral evidence from eye-witnesses. This process is expected to continue until all relevant parties have had the opportunity to present oral evidence.
For further information contact Graham Abrahams at:
Telephone: 021 4655506
Facsimile: 021 4654402
Cell: 082 4532244
E-mail: graham@sport1.pwv.gov.za