THETA, the Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Education and Training Authority, is the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) established under the Skills Development Act (No.97 of 1998) for the Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Economic Sector. THETA conducts its activities within the tourism, hospitality and sport sector that comprises the following sub-sectors:

• Tourism and Travel Services
• Hospitality
• Gambling and Lotteries
• Conservation and Guiding
• Sport, Recreation and Fitness

The Vision of THETA is: "Our people skilled for a sustainable future". The Mission is: "To facilitate the achievement of excellent standards and growth through the development and recognition of people".

This brief will focus on the issues relating to the sport and recreation sector.

The following key achievements were noted:

• By March 2004 THETA began hosting focus group meetings to examine the development of the Sector Skills Plan (SPP).
• Research was undertaken to support this initiative.
• The Skills Development Department (SDD) has identified a great need for Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) among employees and in accordance with this need, has directed 60% of the Discretionary Grant towards ABET.
• ABET intervention will be intensified in the future.
• The Skills Gap Study has helped to ensure that the sporting sector receives more attention.

The following key achievements were noted:

• The Equestrian School and Jockey Academy Project was launched.
• The Sport, Recreation and Fitness Chamber instituted a Sport Facility Management Programme.
• The Sport, Recreation and Fitness Chamber launched Fitness Learnerships that will lead to a Certificate in Fitness Learnership, Level 5.
• THETA is ready to support the BEE (black economic empowerment) Score Card in various programmes of Sport Facility Management.

• THETA’s accreditation scope was increased from 29 qualifications to 40.
• There are 52 registered skills programmes.
• THETA is currently engaged in reviewing standards and qualifications.
• This will include National Diplomas and Certificates in Sport; Recreation; Fitness; Fitness Leadership; and Coaching Science.

The following points of concern were noted:

• THETA received a qualified report relating to irregular expenditure, viz. the overspending of the 10% administration threshold due to inadequate monitoring of administration expenditure.
• For the current and prior year, THETA has not paid out any Discretionary Grants to its contributing employers.
• For the current and prior year, THETA has made no progress with regard to exceeding the 10% administration threshold, as recommended by the Standing Committee on Public Accounts in its 2003 report.
• A special investigation into the procurement practices of THETA is being conducted by the Department of Labour.

• Is an evaluation programme in place to monitor and evaluate the success or otherwise of the ABET intervention? If yes, provide further details. If not, are there any plans to do so? Which aspects of this programme have relevance for the sport and recreation sector?
• Is an evaluation programme in place to gauge the labour absorptive capacity or entrepreneurship potential of the skills training programmes? If yes, provide further details. If not, are there any plans to do so?
• Which aspects of the skills training and learnership programmes have relevance for the sport and recreation sector? Provide further details.
• There is insufficient information on the Equestrian School and Jockey Academy Project - provide further details.
• There is insufficient information on the on the Fitness Learnerships - provide further details. What does the Level 5 Certificate enable the holder to do?
• What is the role of the Sport, Recreation and Fitness Chamber?
• Provide further details on the Sport Facility Management Programme – for example, what have been its major successes and challenges?
• Provide further details on the BEE Score Card.
• Provide further details on the Skills Gap Study as it applies to the sporting sector.
• What progress has been made with regard to the reviewing of standards and qualifications in the sport and recreation sector?
• How successful are the internal financial controls currently being implemented? Are these sufficient to prevent a similar problem in relation to administrative overspending from occurring again?
• Why have no Discretionary Grants been paid out to employers?
• What progress has been made on the Department of Labour’s investigation into procurement practices?
• How is THETA helping to prepare for the 2010 Soccer World Cup? Provide full details.

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THETA. 2005: Annual Report, 2005.