Report: study tour to Free State, dated 30 October 2001:

INDEX

Item Paragraph

Introduction A

Delegation B

Areas and facilities visited C

Welcoming D

Botshabelo E

Premier Golf Tournament F

Provincial Recreation Indaba G

Bohlokong Stadium H

Puthaditjaba I

Basotho Cultural Village J

Kopano Sports Centre K

Pakisa Motor Cycle Grand Prix Circuit L

Meeting with MEC for
Sport, Arts and Culture M

Sport Academy N

Overall observations O

Conclusion P


A. Introduction

A delegation representing the Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation visited the Free State province from 18 to 21 February 2000. The purpose of the visit was to assess the progress made by the provincial department with regard to development and transformation of sport in South Africa. The Committee wanted to understand the problems and challenges that are experienced by the province. The Committee also wanted to assess the link and congruence between the programme of the provincial department of sport and the national vision on sport and recreation.

The delegation representing the Committee focused on the following:

1. Availability of sports facilities to all communities, which include the following:

(a) Provision of sports facilities to communities who were previously disadvantaged.

(b) Accessibility of sports facilities to all and in all areas.

(c) Sensitivity to disabled people when building sports facilities.

(d) The standard of facilities within different communities.

(e) The ownership of sport facilities by communities.

(f) The maintenance of facilities by both the communities and the municipalities.

2. Accessibility of all sports to all communities, including the following:

(a) The integration of all sports, irrespective of race and gender.

(b) The representation of previously disadvantaged people in the provincial and regional teams of different sports codes.

(c) The back-up support that is given to financially disadvantaged sports people who are selected for participation in national and international tournaments.

(d) The promotion of disabled people's participation in sport and recreational activities.

(e) The recognition of deserving sports people as role models and the use of such people as human resources by their communities.

(f) The utilisation of sports people by community and various structures in the programme of "Nation Building".

3. Sport Development Programmes that are run in the province.

4. The availability, accessibility and impact of the sports academies.

5. The relationship between the provincial department, the standing committee on sport and the local government structures.

6. Accessibility of all sports to all communities.

7. The relationship between government departments, sports bodies and other role-players in sport, for example, the business sector.

8. The role of the community in sports issues.

9. Challenges that are encountered by the sports and recreation departments.

B. Delegation

The delegation was:

Ms R Bhengu (chairperson)
Mr A Mlangeni
Mr H P Chauke
Mr R D Pieterse
Ms R M Southgate
Mr F T Ferreira
Mr L Myoli (Committee Secretary)

C. Areas and facilities visited

The delegation visited the following areas:

Botshabelo
Bohlokong Stadium
Qwaqwa
Basotho Cultural Village
Welkom
Pakisa Motor Cycle Grand Prix Circuit
Sport Academy at the University of the Free State.

D. Welcoming

Mr T J Khambule, director in the Department of Sport, Art and Culture, met the delegation at the airport. The delegation was then taken to the offices of the department for a briefing session.

In the meeting the delegation was taken through the programme for the entire weekend, after which the delegation met with representatives of WASSA-FS, PROREC, MUCPP, FS Sport Academy and NSC. At this meeting the representatives of the above-mentioned structures briefed the delegation on their programmes.

The purpose of this presentation was to share with the delegation information relating to existing sports structures, the programmes of those structures, and problems and challenges these structures are faced with (including their relationship with the Department of Sports, Arts and Cultures).

It became clear from the presentation that there is a working relationship between the department and sports bodies. There was, however a feeling of uncertainty within the sports bodies about the Sports Commission on the following areas;

1. Would the Sports Commission have provincial structures like the NSC?

2. What would be the relationship between the Sports Commission and NSC structures if the NSC structures were to be retained?

3. When was the Sports Commission going to start functioning?

The delegation told the meeting that the CEO of the Sports Commission was going to be appointed probably by not later that May 2000, and thereafter the SASC would develop a plan of action. The decision of what was going to happen to the provincial structures of the NSC was a matter for the NSC, which could be determined by neither the Sports Commission nor the Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation. Representatives of sports bodies were advised to raise these issues with the NSC structures in the province and the MEC for Sports, Art and Culture, as the MEC is part of the MINMEC, where developments relating to the Sports Commission are discussed.

The leader of the delegation Ms R Bhengu, concluded the session by indicating to the representatives what was being done at national level, particularly on the bills that were in the pipeline, including the rationale behind those bills.

E. Botshabelo

The delegation, accompanied by the officials from the provincial department, embarked on an hour-long drive to a facility that had been built Botshabelo. On arrival at Botshabelo, Mr Sekaledi, the manager of the facility, welcomed the delegation.

The facility has a synthetic pitch that had cost R2,5 million. The seating capacity of the facility is 48 000. It has an indoor facility that is currently used for boxing and karate. The facility also boasts an Olympic size swimming pool, but the water has been developing algae because the purification system is not functional. In addition to soccer, the facility could also be used for rugby and hockey. Within that facility is an indoor multipurpose facility, which is in good condition and is also used as a pension pay-point.

According to the manager, supernumeraries are used for the maintenance of the facility. He also said that the facility was reputed to be among the best-maintained sports facilities in the country. There were plans to upgrade the facility to make it accessible to the disabled people.

F. Premier Golf Tournament

The delegation was invited to and attended a prize-giving ceremony in the evening at the end of the Premier Golf Tournament. The tournament was organised by, among others, Mr Clarence Keyter, a former employee of the SABC. Amongst those who received awards, were young golfers from previously disadvantaged communities. What was remarkable about the event was the inclusion of young female golfers, who also received awards for their outstanding performances. This was seen as a step in the direction of making an elite type of sport accessible to previously disadvantaged people.

G. Provincial Recreation Indaba

The delegation briefly attended a workshop session on recreation, organised by the provincial department. What was remarkable about the workshop was the focus on recreation, which is usually overlooked.

The delegation was informed by the youth present in this workshop about a BLOOD TRANSFUSION CYCLING TOUR involving 59 towns. This tour was intended to raise the profile of the province and to entrench the Free State as a winning province. The youth was aiming at encouraging the youth from other provinces to emulate them.

H. Bohlokong Stadium

The delegation was met at Bohlokong Stadium by the representatives of soccer, boxing, netball, volleyball and rugby. The leader of the delegation explained the purpose of the visit to the community and expressed appreciation for their attendance.

The representatives were then asked to share with the delegation their programmes and raise issues of concern and problems relating to sport and recreation that are being experienced by the different structures.

The following issues were raised by representatives of the different sport codes:

1. Non-existence of netball facilities, except those owned by schools, which are not accessible to the community-based sports clubs.

2. Sports facilities in town are only accessible to the community from the Botlokong Township after 16:00. This makes it difficult for people from the township to travel in and out of town late in the afternoons using public transport.

3. Boxing equipment was removed from a place used by boxers as a gymnasium, for weight lifters without consultation.

4. Rates charged by the council to clubs for using sports facilities were very high, and there was no consultation with the affected sports bodies.

5. Rugby facilities are far from the community.

6. The absence of the Sports Council in Botshabelo.

7. There are more facilities in town than in the African townships.

Representatives from the community were strongly arguing for the present government to provide them with as many facilities as those that are in previously advantaged communities. The representatives strongly argued that the government should build facilities for schools and also separate facilities for the community.

In response to this, the delegation explained the principles of sports integration and key aspects of sports transformation particularly that of moving away from the culture of separate sports facilities for different race groups. It was pointed out that it is not possible for the government to build facilities for exclusive use by schools or communities. The government's approach is to integrate sports facilities so that both the school and the community can utilise them. Communities are therefore encouraged to work together and share available resources.

The biggest problem identified by the delegation was lack of communication amongst the sports structures and also between the sports structures and the local government. The problem regarding the use of facilities and payment for needs are to be discussed by the structures and the municipality.

It is therefore recommended that the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture facilitate the establishment of lines of communication between the municipalities and sports bodies in Botshabelo.

I. Puthaditjaba

The meeting was held at night at Phuthaditjaba Stadium. This facility has a synthetic pitch that cost R2,5 million. It has an incomplete swimming pool, incomplete bathrooms and toilets. The change rooms have broken doors and windows. The grass on the spectators sitting area is very long, with a lot of mosquitoes. The facility depicted a high level of vandalism and lack of ownership by the community.

Represented at the meeting were the following codes: Basketball, Netball, USSASA, SASSU and Soccer. The representatives of these sports codes raised the following issues:

1. There is no clarity as to whether there is an elected sports structure in Puthaditjaba. Meetings called to elect a sports structure are always disrupted by people who claim to be the sports council.

2. The various sports codes were not consulted when the stadium was built.

3. The sports codes would like to see the stadium completed and want to know who the responsible body is for completion of the stadium.

4. Elements from within the community are vandalising the stadium, and no effort made to stop that.

It became clear to the delegation that there was a problem of communication and co-operation between the local community, sports codes, local government and the provincial Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.

It was also clear that the local sports bodies had adopted a wait-and-see attitude on matters affecting sport, particularly on the issue of the stadium that was being vandalised.

This would need further investigation to ascertain the capacity levels of the local government structures in so far as maintenance of sports facilities was concerned. The community also needs to be brought on board so as to raise their level of awareness regarding payment for services and community ownership of public facilities.

J. Basotho Cultural Village

The delegation visited the Basotho Cultural Village to see the indigenous sport aspect of the programme. The Village resembles the link between Sport, Arts, Tourism and Economic Growth, and is visited mostly by tourists, who are taken through the living patterns of the Basotho people, dating back to pre-colonial times, and how these patterns changed due to the influence of western civilisation.

The village was earmarked for launching indigenous sport in 2001.

K. Kopano Sports Centre

The delegation proceeded to Welkom to see the Kopano Sports Centre, and also held a meeting with local sports bodies and members of the community. The facility is located at a place called Thabong, in Welkom. It is utilised for aerobics, community meetings, bodybuilding, weight lifting, boxing and karate. It also boasts an outdoor facility for soccer and rugby (though incomplete). It was reported that the local government was going to add a swimming pool.

The delegation apologised for its late arrival and was appreciative of the patience of the representatives. The Local Government Authority, Soccer, the Sports Council and Athletics attended the meeting and raised the following issues:

1. The community and other government departments who are not directly involved with sport, do not consider sport as important.

2. The Kopano Sports Centre is over-utilised, as all clubs want to use this facility.

3. There is disorganisation and a multiplicity of clubs.

4. Rates for the use of facilities are too high and therefore unaffordable.

5. Former office bearers of the NSC are not co-operating with the current NSC office bearers.

6. There are more facilities in town, some of which are not being used.

7. There is a lack of support for athletes from the township, therefore making them weaker than their counterparts in town.

8. Facilities do not meet local needs.

9. There is no stadium that has a track.

10. There is no community facility for netball.

The delegation responded by advising the representatives on open lines of communication between themselves and the local government, particularly on the issues of utilisation of facilities and payment of rates charged by the local council. A meeting was recommended between the former members of the NSC and the current members. It was also recommended that the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture should facilitate such a meeting.

The session was ended with information sharing on what was happening at national level including sports related legislation in the pipeline and what that legislation was aimed at addressing. Included in the legislation mentioned was the South African Boxing Bill, aimed at overhauling the Boxing and Wrestling Act of 1954. It was explained how the 1954 Act was not in line with the Constitution.

L. Pakisa Motor Cycle Grand Prix Circuit

The delegation made a brief stop-over at the Pakisa Motor Cycle Grand Prix Circuit to view the facility, and then proceeded to Bloemfontein.

M. Meeting with MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture

The delegation was received at the municipal office by the MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture. Present at this meeting was the 2006 Bid Committee, which consisted of Mangaung Sports Council, MUCPP, PROREC, SAFA, Bloemfontein Publicity Association and an airport manager.

The purpose of the meeting with the Bid Committee was to assess the preparedness of the Free State for the visit of the FIFA Technical Committee. The leader of the delegation explained the purpose of the meeting with the Bid Committee. The MEC addressed the meeting, taking it through the work done by the Bid Committee. By the end of the session it was clear that the Free State was well prepared for the visit.

N. Sports Academy

The delegation proceeded to the University of the Free State to see the Sports Academy and interact with the personnel there. On arrival at the university, the delegation was received and shown around by Prof Coen Nel, Head of the Faculty of Sport Development, Mr Evert Venter, Director of the Biokinetics and Leisure Science School for Sport and Dr Marcel Brussow, Head of the Scientific Department.

The delegation was shown equipment used to assess fitness levels of sportspersons. Through these machines it was possible not only to identify dietary needs for sportsmen and women, but also to predict possible injuries.

The delegation was also taken through the structure of the B.A. degree in Sport Development. The degree is done over a period of three years (at the end of each successful year a certificate is issued giving the learner three exit points). It was also mentioned that after completion of the first year, candidates chose from three elective subjects to complete the degree.

Prof Coen Nel told the delegation that the MEC for Sport, Art and Culture, together with the provincial structure of the NSC, were very supportive of the Sport Academy. This support was said to be around the establishment of networking relationships with other countries who had signed agreements with South Africa.

O. Overall observations

1. There is a need for improving relationships between the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and local government structures so as to deal with the maintenance of sports facilities.

2. Facilities that have not been completed should be completed so as to avoid further vandalism.

3. There is a need for strengthening the existing sport codes, particularly at local level.

4. WASSA is not visible in this province, and therefore a specific effort is needed to make women sport more visible.

5. There was no mention of sport for disabled people, except to say that there were plans of upgrading one facility to make it accessible to disabled people. More attention needs to be paid to sport for disabled people.

6. Like all other areas, a lot of emphasis is on facilities, as if facilities are the end product. There is therefore a need for paying more attention to skills development at all levels, not only at tertiary level, as is the case with the Free State Sports Academy.

7. There is a need for the province to develop clear programmes aimed at:

(a) Development of professionalism in sport.

(b) Amateur sports and sports development, linking these to sports academics.

(c) Addressing the social imbalances through sport and recreation.

8. It is therefore recommended that the department of Sport, Arts and Culture facilitate the establishment of lines of communication between the municipalities and sports bodies in Botshabelo.

9. There is a need for the provincial Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and the Free State Local Government Association to assist municipalities to build capacity on maintenance programming skills and to assist in developing a maintenance plan, which must result in ending vandalising of facilities.

P. Conclusion

The provincial Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has a plan that is in line with the national agenda of transformation. What is remarkable about the approach of the Free State, is the link between the programmes of sport and the unemployment conditions of the province. The long-term objective of the Pakisa Project is to boost the economy of the province, therefore the performance of the project must be monitored to assess the impact of economic growth. The Portfolio Committee needs to keep in touch with the Free State so as to assess the impact of this approach on unemployment and poverty eradication.