Report of the Portfolio
Committee on Sport and Recreation Oversight Visit to Limpopo,
Mpumalanga and Gauteng
dated 5 November 2005:
The
Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation, having conducted an oversight
visit to the above provinces from 3 to 13 October
2004, reports as follows:
1. PURPOSE
The Portfolio Committee exercised its
oversight in visiting Limpopo, Mpumalanga
and Gauteng. The visit was a continuation of visits
to the provinces to measure their readiness for 2010 and to ascertain whether
money paid by Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) to federations reach the
clubs in the provinces as it is supposed to happen. The Committee also checked
the conditions of facilities built by SRSA and the accessibility of those
facilities.
2. OBJECTIVES
1. To promote participation of South
Africans in local and international sport and recreation programmes
through own programmes and funding of associated
organizations and to monitor the impact on communities.
2. Mass participation is
directly driven at national level as a major policy initiative. Meetings
and in loco visits will take place at points of implementation of the Siyadlala programme
3. Visits to key nodal areas where community
mass participation programmes have been launched by
SRSA at the end of July and development plans for the
Indigenous Games and mass participation programmes
for the disabled and women
4. Meetings with local USSASA structures to
discuss challenges facing them in the implementation of the national
programme and funding, USSASA plans to implement the
school sport programme and the desired funding model
and mechanism
5. Meetings with the key federations
(soccer, cricket, rugby) that are funded by SRSA and
evaluation of their development programmes in
relation to performance target commitments given to SRSA
6. Meeting the local sport councils and
management committees of the provincial academy at the universities on their
admission/selection criteria and programmes, linkages
to the national academy and sources of funding in terms of corporate entities
7. Meeting with sport
councils based in the Metros and district municipalities to establish their
involvement in national events such as the 2010 World Cup; to learn of the
challenges they experience in relation to national lottery disbursement agency
pertaining to sport and recreation; also their plans they have for rural areas
because sport councils are a direct responsibility of the national department
and to find out how they are resourced by the department and sport councils
were established in terms of the Sport Commission.
8. Meeting with an expert
on recreational issues on a researched study into recreation in South Africa.
9. Visiting areas where Building for Sport
and Recreation programme is implemented, evaluation
on the efficacy of the programme with
regards to mass community participation and determining the state of
readiness of local structures to become implementing agents for the programme.
3. COMPOSITION
OF THE DELEGATION
The multiparty delegation
were:
1. Mr. B M Komphela,
ANC (Chairperson)
2. Mr. M M Dikgacwi, ANC
3. Mr. C T Frolick,
ANC
4. Mr. T J Louw,
ANC
5. Mr. E Mtshali,
ANC
6. Ms D M Morobi
(ANC)
7. Ms M M Ramakaba-Lesiea (ANC)
8. Mr. S J Masango
(DA)
9. Rev M S Khumalo
(ACDP)
10. Ms N Mbuqe
(Committee Secretary)
4. LIMPOPO
PROVINCE
4.1 DAY
1: SUNDAY, 3 OCTOBER - MEETING WITH THE MEC
The
Committee arrived in Limpopo on Sunday, 3 October and
met with the MEC Mr. Joe Maswanganyi. Mr. M Dikgacwi briefed the province broadly about the objectives
of the visit and the expectations on behalf of Mr. Komphela,
Chairperson, who had other commitments. After briefing the MEC, departmental
officials and the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Sport, Education and
Culture, the MEC responded on the challenges, successes and future
plans of the department.
He
mentioned that the province is the second last in terms of budget and the
department has received an amount of R57milliom for the current financial year.
He requested assistance from the delegation to put pressure to National
Treasury to enable him to prepare for the 2010 World Cup.
The
province was to host Indigenous Games in October this year, 2005. The province had been engaged during that week with O R Tambo Games, which is part of SA Games in preparation of
selecting the best to represent Limpopo. These games
start from ward level, district level and up to provincial level. School Sport
is a problem that seems to affect the whole country; he perceived that Western
Cape that he thought might be the better province on school sport as they had
reached an agreement with the Department of Education (DOE). He emphasized that
DOE is responsible for children during school hours as much as kids are members
of the community. But the Department has a good
relationship with the DOE.
He
noted that sport codes like cricket and boxing are very far behind in terms of
alignment but moving towards a positive direction. Presently the province has
more boxers usually Eastern Cape used to dominate. One of the challenges is
lack of sponsors but that is taken care of. He met
with rugby people and decided to lobby that Limpopo
is a stand-alone region and not rely on other
provinces. University of Venda has taken an initiative to be responsible for
high performance and it has the best equipment.
SAFA
is uniting the two regions in line with provincial boundaries and an interim
structure is in place to launch the unity. Soccer is reaching a maturity stage.
Below Premier Soccer League (PSL), i.e. Mvela are two
teams playing and there are three teams in the PSL level. Local sport councils
are at provincial, district and down to local municipality level. Academy of
sport has been established at Seshego,
waiting to be launched officially and looking at utilizing all underutilized or
closed colleges of education to establish six (6) provincial satellites.
There
is a need for more funding to augment Lottery grant to improve the academy. The
province is very proud that the gold and silver medals came from this province
during Olympics in Athens. That proves there is talent that in the province but
lack funds to develop more African kids and White kids will always dominate
because they have better facilities. For 2010 preparations, the province was
earmarked to host FIFA matches but there are no world-class
facilities. According to FIFA requirements, the province should have 5 star hotels. To be able to meet that, a lot of lobbying of
investors has to be done but at the same time the
investors will look at the profit they will get after 2010. There are plans in
place to upgrade a stadium owned by municipality which is also far for
pedestrians. This facility used to be owned by White
communities who have their own cars, a plan for public transport to reach to
the stadium is a big challenge. Also during the night
games the stadium is not accessible and the MEC promised to engage municipality
or will pursue accessibility for transport.
He
was concerned about tenders that are not available to start the job of building
infrastructures but will meet with South African Football Association (SAFA) on
19 October to discuss it. Former Venda and Gazankulu
are the only places with better facilities, but the rural areas have nothing.
The only available funds were from the poverty relief fund and not from the
provincial budget. All the federations were advised to
apply from Lottery Fund. Disability Sport South Africa (DISSA) is working
closely with the Premier where disabled people are allocated.
There are three structures dealing with disabled, one person
sits on the board of the academy.
The
province drew common business plan to assist all clubs to apply for lottery
after being addressed an academy gave guarantor for the clubs who don’t have two-year audited bank statements. Cricket still
operates in isolation. Two consultative meetings to bring them closer took
place hoping to achieve a united cricket in the province.
The
leader of the delegation thanked the MEC for his valuable input and assured him
that even Western Cape has a problem as far as school sport is concerned. He
elaborated by saying USSASA in some areas does not have capacity to accommodate
all schools. He emphasized that academies should be engaged
for talent development.
5. DAY
2: MONDAY, 04 OCTOBER 2004
5.1 VISIT TO NGOAKO RAMAHLODI MULTIPURPOSE
The
delegation was welcomed by the manager for recreation,
Ms Malesiba Semenya from
the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture in Limpopo
province. After introducing the people involved in the building of the center
the delegation was briefed by the manager, building
constructor and Building for Sport Programme on the
background of the center. Mr. Frank van der Merwe, manager of the facility informed the delegation that
the community of Seshego identified that facility
before 1994. They saw a need and even started with the project and sport
committee in the municipality endorsed it. The purpose of the project would be
to assist in hosting national events on indoor games like hockey, soccer etc
and will also play a vital role in writing the community on social basis.
The
project has spent R9,6m on its first phase which will
be finished end of October 2004 and an amount of R6m is made available for the
second phase. The total cost of the project would be R24m. The community is
very involved 110 people are employed with 30 women presently due to the nature
and stage of the construction. More women are to be employed
during the second phase when they will not be climbing very high.
Organizational committee has not been organized yet
from SAFA for the preparation for 2010. The contractor, Mr. Edwin also
contributed by confirming that 100% community based employed in the project all
are within walking distance the facility. He also emphasized that the 30% women
employment was an agreement within the community considering the stages and
forms of construction hoping to involve more as the project grows.
The size of the facility is about 45 x 45 and will seat 1200 people
on the grand stand with provision for VIP people and 800 on the ground. There will be cloakrooms for spectators and
athletes. Vendors will also be accommodated. A space
will be provided for testing, i.e. antidoping. 800
parking bays will be provided for cars and a lot of
storerooms for equipments with air conditions. The final floor will be a
synthetic not concrete floor to meet with the international standards required
by FIFA.
Questions for clarity
q
Is
the area not crowded with facilities?
q
Any
women contractors involved in the project?
q
Is it
accessible to the members of the community when in operation, or do they have
to use transport?
q
Any
youth or disabled persons involved in the construction?
q
Do
you encounter problems where the tender would price less and deliver very poor
quality due to ignorance or no expertise?
q
Is
parking space enough?
q
How
long are the people capacitated to have certificates in skills?
q
Any space for swimming pool space? Or can a
swimming pool be built in one of other wards in order not to have everything in
one ward because pools should be a necessity for skill development. Swimming is
one of the strong requirements for a job at South African Airways.
Responses
q
The
project has skills transfer training and 6 people are
semi-skilled from the training.
q
The
project is looking at empowering more women during the second phase and one
woman is already been trained as a building supervisor. There is still shortage
of women in steel fixing, concrete or electricity contraction. One is in glass
fitting and more in plastering. Tendering process is introduced to women with other
contractors either than the one in the present project.
q
There
will be ramps in all doorways to accommodate wheelchairs.
q
The
facility is centralized so it is a walking distance
for all.
q
While
busy building, the community is renting out indoor sport center in Seshego where kids participate in recreational activities
but this one will reach more kids.
q
Polokwane has 35 wards and would
like to provide each ward with a basic facility looking at soccer, rugby,
softball, grass field etc. Facilities that are existing are only from poverty alleviation programmes funding but Sekhukhune,
Bohlabela and Capricorn don’t
have facilities. Also nodal point areas have been
allocated money for 2004/5.
q
Municipality
has a policy of assisting or employing tenders at 10% of the project amount.
q
Parking will have enough space.
q
Mass
participation is lacking. People who were supposed to attend steering committee
are not interested and are not from sport fraternity so they don’t
have passion for sport. People who are supposed to benefit are not aware.
q
For
safety during events there are 14 escape doors and a
standby generator is made available in the cases of power failure.
q
There
are sport committees in all levels but operating in a slow motion but only those passionate with sport are putting more effort.
q
Swimming
pool is planned to be built next to the center. Needs
are identified according to the wards guided by schools and teams in that area.
Some areas see sport as something to have but not a necessity. In the case of
the swimming pool, other areas don’t have water,
electricity or sanitation in order to build pools. The province also looks at
economical impact of the people on the ground. Also lessons
on water awareness should be organized.
q
Finances
are also not available to build pools but depend on grants.
q
Municipal
Infrastructure Grant could be an opportunity and a threat as well; sport will
suffer because money will be in one big pot. The PC must ensure that sport gets
a big share too.
q
Leaders in Limpopo
must motivate for finances to build pools and sport
should be encouraged to take youth out of crime spots. The province also needs
to move to other kinds of sport codes so that sponsors could avail finances.
The
delegation moved to the Academy of Sport built at Kwena
Moloto campus with hostels accommodating kids and
testing centers. This facility is not yet operating as an academy and offices
of this academy are elsewhere.
5.2 VISIT TO SENWABARWANA MPP HUB - BLOUBERG MUNICIPALITY
The
delegation visited Blouberg Municipality to meet
sport councils. The municipal manager briefed the delegation on programmes they have for sport and recreation at a mayoral
level. The mass participation is one of the programmes
that take place. The delegation was introduced by Kgoshi Thobejane, Chairperson of
the Standing Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture in the province. Mr. Dikgacwi briefed the mayoral committee on
sport on the purpose of the visit and what he delegation expected to achieve
from it. The councilor took the delegation through their programes noting that mass participation has not started
long but it is happening.
The
municipality assist sport with facilities and has very
committed coordinators. The facility within the municipality is not yet
complete. The programmes started with hub
coordinators and codes such as basketball, athletes and indigenous games. The
whole purpose is to target the youth and the hub coordinators has met with the
nearby school kids with programmes involving parents
as well. The coordinators have a task to approach disabled persons that are
schooling at Helena France and will also contact
disabled persons at home. Ms Malesiba Semenya 2010 preparations have started and
also busy establishing policies to be in line with what should be
guiding the province coordinates provincial intervention. O R Tambo games have started already and municipalities are
preparing the Under 14 for SACGA. Women participation is active especially in
mass participation.
The
Municipal Manager indicated the challenge of finances but plans are in place to
rehabilitate old facilities and establish 1 or 2 big structures as a foundation
to develop sport broadly. He mentioned that the only available funds are from
the equitable shares. Sport is given third priority
from IDP. Municipality has willing people to take sport forward.
Comments from the delegation
q
A
child who wants to represent the province and have no money, how do you handle
that situation?
q
How
does the municipality unearth talents from the province?
q
Has
the municipality approached the mining industry in the province for financial
assistance?
q
Is National Lottery Distribution Fund been fully
utilized?
q
How
much involvement is there with schools or you are looking at youth out of
school?
q
What
happens to orphans left by their fathers who died in the mines? Who is taking
care of them if mines are not assisting?
q
How
many sport coordinators and how are they deployed?
q
Any monitoring mechanism on the identified talents? Any database available
in order to track those who disappear after development?
q
What
role or relationship is played by USSASA?
Responses
q
The
province has different wards where talents are identified
and after that approach sport academy to nurture the child further.
q
The
vision is to persuade mines as they promised they would want to plough back to
the community. They promised to assist but they have not yet fulfilled that
promise.
q
Other
companies have not been contacted.
q
School
kids come after normal school hours to participate the coordinators try to
confine themselves to nearby institutions.
q
Limpopo school sport association is working at school level
during school hours and department takes over after hours.
q
9 sport coordinators in the municipality are on the ground but still
trying to integrate youth and old.
q
Limpopo West and SACGA are responsible for database. All
players who took part in national games should be monitored
and assisted to get exposure.
q
Information
got from National Lottery fund was that municipality doesn’t
apply but only federations should. The worst nightmare was the two-year audited
financial statement.
q
Sport
councils are formed with mass participation included but have started at
district level with workshops with the former white sports codes. A team of
hockey has begun and will be represented in the next
games.
q
Handball
is under SCORE, an NGO, and they gave facility also rugby will fund the
province and ready to launch. Council fund with transport,
material and stationery.
q
Bigger
vision is to have better standardized facilities in
the centers.
q
Nodal
points need to provide facilities where the nodal points are.
q
USSASA
is operating but not very close to them, the delegation was
requested to put pressure on federations to come down to rural areas.
5.3 BOCHUM
SPORT GROUND
The
hub has two coordinators and two offices. Unprofessional people constructed the
hub in 2001. This is the only facility in Blouberg
with 700 athletes and one in Eldorado Park will be
the second one and it has received an amount of R1,9m.
There are programmes for elders and
also programmes for preschool children. There
is lack of equipment and facility to start training professional players.
Municipality promised to improve the facility.
5.4 MEETING
WITH USSASA – MEC BOARDROOM- LIPRUSSA
Eddie
Mavhuna, the president, welcomed the delegation. The
president noted that the structure has celebrated its ten years of existence
and the headways made as the structure. They are reaching all schools in the
province and executive is elected from the people from
the rural areas. Urban areas or former Model C schools in the
province are still clinging on their facilities and only participate within the
USSASA structure at the beginning of each year during athletics. Some
codes are still only White such as swimming, hockey, rugby and cricket. When
invited to the township either to attend activities or meetings their scapegoat
is that they are under staffed and cannot be able to
attend.
In
1994 to 1997 the structure worked with the Department
of Education and only last year, 2003 that they had no standing relationship
between SRSA and DOE. Activities are organized up to
school level. Every two years new committees are established. One of the
challenges is development. A camp is needed to train
kids and spread them through all levels from local, district and provincial.
Concerns from the delegation
q
Were
there attempts from USSASA to meet with the Standing Committee of Education or
Sport in the province?
q
Any
details on the participation of the programme of
USSASA, if not, why not, if yes what are those details?
q
What
is the financial position of the structure currently?
q
What
is the relationship between USSASA and municipality?
q
What
prevents the structure from reaching all schools?
q
What
is USSASA’s main role? What is the structure’s
strength?
q
The
delegation suggested that the standing committee should play an active role to
assist USSASA. The structure was also advised to apply
to Lottery Fund. Minister of Sport and Recreation emphasizes on moral
regeneration and role modeling in schools but discussions are still on between
DOE and SRSA on where school sport should be placed.
q
Kgoshi Thobejane, chairperson of
the provincial standing committee on sport, arts and culture was concerned that
the structure seemed to be focusing on government for sponsor while they could
look at other revenue at their disposal. He promised to intervene as a
committee only if the structure could explain why do the
departments not supporting them.
q
The
delegation wanted to know whether DOE is aware of the problems the structure
has encountered from white schools and suggested that the standing committee
should meet with USSASA to discuss issues intensively affecting school sport.
When the delegation comes back progress should be seen
on the problems highlighted by the structure.
USSASA’s response (LIPRUSSA)
q
The
structure has tried to have meetings with the committee but never succeeded.
q
Teacher
participation – some teachers don’t want to go to
rural areas and if they are deployed there they leave immediately after school
complaining of transport to where they live, i.e. in the suburbs. They also
suggested that legislation or regulation might assist if sport could have
incentives. Teachers running sport are not paid but
just volunteering.
q
Municipalities
differ when it comes to relationship on facilities. Schools own their
facilities and they charge exorbitant fees. 95%
schools participate some are still ignorant thinking USSASA is part of a
political spectrum.
q
The
role of USSASA is to prepare provincial teams. Although they are told that they
belong to DOE when they go there they are told they
are not budgeted for.
q
Teams
are selected but the department does not pay for
transport and neither do they pay for accommodation. The financial position
presently is that the structure doesn’t get any
funding from the government either from SRSA or DOE. They are using affiliation
fees paid by each school at the beginning of each year. They also do fund raising and parents are requested to pay.
q
The
structure has an obligation to report to the organization about funds on yearly
basis.
q
The
other challenge is that they cannot send a team anywhere due to financial
constraints. Only those kids with parent who can afford to pay attend the tournaments, which means the structure will have to select
according to availability and affordability not the best athletes.
q
They
suggested that a specific department accountable and responsible should own
school sport.
q
DSR
bought attire for winter game. White schools participation is from grassroots
level and some participate at provincial level. Selection takes place at
provincial level and presently there are more Black kids participating.
q
Circulars
for meetings and activities are sent to all schools but majority of white
schools don’t see the need to be part.
q
A
letter from Lottery confirmed sum of R200 000 that is available for human
resource purposes. Also sum of R250 000 grant was
received from Lottery earlier.
q
Former
Model C schools have only School Governing Bodies (SGBs)
to determine their participation in school sport. DOE views schooling as
priority more than sport. The structure tried to meet with the former MECs of education and sport to discuss the future but without
success.
6. DAY
3: 5 OCTOBER 2004
6.1 MEETING
AT THE GREATER SEKHUKHUNE MUNICIPALITY
The
municipal manager met the delegation and was willing to respond to questions or
clarity sought by the delegation on sport matters within the municipality.
On
sport programmes the manager cited some examples of
money given to sport for 2003/04 for promotion of sport in the district
although there was no coordinator that resulted to R50 000 spent to appoint
sport coordinator. In 2004/05 sum of R100 000 was put aside to augment what
happened the previous year. The district has participated in Makhado Games in Limpopo to
promote sport. R3m budget for sport fields is available but is not enough to
prepare for 2010. Facilities in the area and cannot take the entire available
crowd.
Kgoshi Thobejane wanted to know
whether they have development plans in line with 2010 and mass participation.
The response was that programmes are not yet
developed and currently they are trying to capacitate the sport office. They need
basic hall in Motubatse and two stadiums. Those
facilities that were built in 2000/01 are
deteriorating and one has been eroded during heavy rains. The towns where these
facilities were built have historical background where
the land was not transferred. During the delegation’s last visit
Dr Nevuthanda was delegated with the responsibility
of following the transfer of the land. No one is able to give that feedback
since Dr Nevuthanda has left.
R293
land transfer has been delegated to municipalities so
it is the responsibility of the Local Government. The department was also asked to temporarily take over the facilities. Sekhukhune is presidential nodal point but since it is not allocated any facility is disappointing. When asked if they have approached Lottery
Fund the answer was no. The municipal manager was then
advised to apply. The delegation thanked the manager for availing
himself even without notice but gave the most information he could.
6.2 VISIT TO HLOGOTLOU STADIUM
The
facility has been upgraded by BSRP for R3m from 2003/04 budgets and is made of
expensive face bricks. It has not been handed over yet and still under
consultancy. Capacity seating is more or less 1 000. The field is fenced, have
soccer poles and athletic tracks are not yet done. The irrigation is waiting
for the electrician to be able to take off the ground. The facility is well
looked with toilets and storerooms ready to be used. The community around will
be using the benefiting from the facility.
6.3 MEETING
WITH LOCAL SPORT COUNCILS – MEC BOARDROOM
The
manager of Limpopo Academy of Sport
presented on the role, function and challenges facing the academy. The
academy is a year old with its vision and mission. It has three programmes as (i) Education and
Training that deals with sport councils. Federations identify stakeholders to
attend training and capacitating e.g. events management. (ii) Basic team
management an (iii) Advanced administrative and basic administration. SASC
informed the academy to take care of 13 federations as well as sport council members.
The
academy empowers people from federations that is a
principle from SASC. Also life skills programmes with 12 modules for the athletes like time
management to assist them to manage their time even for arriving on time for
training. HIV and AIDS as well as protocol short courses are
provided. Scientific and medical support dealing with service providers
and is rated according to their expertise. University of Venda has been identified to assist in testing of athletes
scientifically with the results analyses the athlete on interventions like
weakness or strengths of an athlete. The academy is also
expected to train head coaches from federations but finances does not
allow. White people dominate when it comes to head coaches but the academy is
trying to close that gap.
Mr.
Matlala, one of the board members confirmed that the
academy supports councils and federations on identifying talents then prepare
them for excellency. They
are looking at producing holistic athletes who can handle media and also be accepted by the community. Athletes are supported with diet, physiology and psychological
assistance. The most challenge is that the manager does not have administrative
assistance but she is a very hard working person.
Challenges and achievements
q
Support
grant from DSR of R350 000 is acknowledged for last year an R400 000 this year
for administration. Lottery gave R1m but still not enough.
q
The
province is vast and requires at least R6m to assist the whole province.
q
Satellite
academies are needed but DSR is taking care of that which could assist to touch base with the people. Centers testing athletes e.g.
are using Gauteng tests now but not impressive to
enrich Gauteng more either than to boost Limpopo. Despite being new and manager is without assistance
but she has delivered far more than other provinces with full capacity. Personnel is currently the biggest challenge and satellites
would be of great assistance.
q
Experiences
a problem of blood system of athletes that is not balanced
due to the food they eat. The only solution to this problem would be
intergovernmental linkage with other departments to meet all the challenges
e.g. agriculture for vegetable; social development for
social problems etc.
Clarity sought from the delegation
q
Are
women not interested in coaching?
q
How
is the relationship with local government? Is there any interaction?
q
Why
is the council operating in car booths if the relationship with the department
is good?
q
The
Minister of Sport and Recreation in the country will hold Indaba meetings with
sponsors to address the issue of lack of sponsorships.
Issues of clarity provided by the academy
q
Women
chose their spouses than sport and coaches are brought
not selected by the academy but the gender balance is always questioned.
Coaching is a process that also requires skill and cannot be
achieved overnight. Women coaches are now coming in slowly.
q
White
counterparts are also undermining the academy.
q
There
was an event in Sweden where disabled were sent to participate they did the
province very proud. There is one member of the board who
is physically challenged. Courses were organized for
the physically challenged as well to meet the standards of other countries.
q
The
academy does not deal directly with federations.
6.4 BRIEFING
FROM LIMPOPO SPORT COUNCILS
Limpopo sport council president shared with the delegation
that they are two years old and have vision and mission with a slogan of
“getting Limpopo play”. They don’t
have an office but working in a boot of a car. The structure depends on
federations for funds. The main objective is to coordinate all activities of
federations in the province; recommends funds in wards and district councils.
They work closely with SASSU, LIPRUSSA and DISSA. The relationship with the
government is to do projects as a team since they have resources to be utilized together.
They
are not directly involved with sport programmes but
rely on codes and also harmonize situations during conflicts. They are also
responsible for assisting codes to get sponsorship especially after 1994 when
sponsors withdrew drastically but their main priority is small codes.
Challenges
q
Lack of clarity on lines of operation between
councils and Department of Sport and Recreation that causes many clashes.
q
Lack of voluntarism.
q
Lack of funds for development, transportation etc.
q
Lack of infrastructure.
q
What
is going to happen to sport councils after the SASC merger?
q
Need
to look at business people in the provinces for sponsorships e.g. government to
build companies in provinces by Lottery Fund’s money.
6.5 DEBRIEFING
SESSION WITH THE MEC AND DEPARTMENTAL OFFICIALS
The
delegation felt that report back should be done on all
main points highlighted during the visit for instance the delegation found that
in the municipality in Sekhukhune they were not
expected and that was not accepted or taken lightly. The delegation was impressed by skill development in the project at Ngoako Ramahlodi Multipurpose
Centre. The community should not be encouraged to build facility in each and every ward as they heard from the people. In Blouberg municipality the
delegation was delighted about the flexible times worked by volunteers to
accommodate everyone but they don’t have enough information on how to do their
job effectively.
The
MEC commended the delegation for their visit. He further noted that there is a
need to do transfer of facilities to municipalities which
was a decision taken by the Cabinet to transfer all R293 towns facilities, i.e.
former homeland facilities and vehicles including movable machinery. The
province don’t have budget to build new
infrastructures. HOD and heads of municipalities signed Service Level Agreement
for maintenance of facilities. The
delegation also thanked the MEC for hosting them in the province and the
delegation proceeded to Thoyohandou and to Mpumalanga
7. DAY
4: 06 OCTOBER 2004
7.1. MEETING
WITH MUSINA LOCAL MUNICIPALTY
The
meeting was with the sport desk and local sport councils in the Musina Local Municipality. The mayor, Mr. David Phologa welcomed the delegation with enthusiasm and also indicated that the province informed them of the
visit at the eleventh hour. He acknowledged the delegation as experienced
people who could assist the province on the challenges they encounter.
The
leader of the delegation, Mr. Komphela, introduced
the delegation and addressed the attendees on the objective of the visit. He
emphasized on the development of sport programmes in the municipality in line with the preparations for 2010 World
Cup amongst other things.
The
mayor then informed the delegation that the municipality has a skeleton sport
desk because the person responsible is engaged with
all sport activities. He promised that they would have full time personnel when
fully established. Facilities are not up to standard. Games are taking place
especially during winter. The relationship is sound with DSR but cannot honour obligation due to financial constraints and cannot
cover all costs. A grant has been received from DSR to
upgrade Leslie Manyathela Stadium. As
a result of new demarcations from 1999, three villages have no
facilities. People just play on the ground.
Concerns and questions of clarity
q
How
much was the grant?
q
Have
you applied from National Lottery Fund?
q
Leslie
Manyathela is a very important project and the
committee should assist in talking to National Lottery to upgrade the facility.
BSRP is going to be transferred to Municipal
Infrastructure Grant and the delegation wanted to know if the mayor or
community is aware of that. The main concern of the delegation is that
municipalities might not be in a position to use that money for sport but would
instead look at other priorities. What would be the mayor’s approach? He was
also asked where sport features in his IDP. He was advised that sport is very
important to keep youth away from social ills and also
to keep them healthy. NGOs like SCORE can also assist to build facilities.
Responses
q
The
grant was from DSR for R1,25m. The municipality has
applied and still waiting for a reply. Last year they did not get any response
from Lottery but applied again. They received soccer kits and t-shirts from
Lottery through SAFA.
q
He
further said that the municipality is small and manageable. Unless there are
concerns like the traditional leaders who want to fall within the municipality
then the money would be utilised for wrong reasons.
But he felt that if its a conditional grant then that
would be another case and will depend also on Integrated Development Plan
priorities. He noted that sport is one of the key priorities in the area to
fight against crime, etc. vandalism is the main problem.
q
He
mentioned lack of sponsorships.
The
chairperson of the sport council in his briefing alluded to the fact they
participate in O R Tambo games and assist members of
the area. Transport is a big challenge to attend meetings called far away.
People are leaving sport council. He commended the mayor for transporting sport
council to attend workshops using their own funds as well as kids attending
games. The codes played are soccer, netball, cricket, rugby, table tennis, long
tennis, basketball, hockey, athletics, boxing and gymnastics. Hockey is not
very popular in the townships and they are trying hard to introduce amateur
boxing as well. Model C schools are giving problems.
Concerns and questions
q
What
is the relationship between school sport and sport councils?
q
Is
the sport council covering the whole district? The answer was yes.
q
Who
is involved in O R Tambo Games?
q
Has
the municipality ever engage academy of sport in the province for assistance?
q
Inclusion
of Model C schools should be seen as a broader
strategy nationally so a change of approach is needed as well as political
intervention. Local, provincial and national government need to assist in
solving this problem.
q
Any programmes on mass participation?
Responses
The relationship is
very good.
There is reluctance on
the side of White people because they don’t attend
meetings with excuses that the Blacks don’t have facilities and they are not
prepared to share their facilities either.
Local municipalities
are participating in the SA Games.
Due to lack of information they have never engaged the academy. The academy
came to the area during organization of Under 14 and 12 but those kids
complained that they could not attend school during the training.
Villages are visited to select squad and bring them together to play
against one another in preparation for selection of the best athletes for the
province.
The
mayor further explained that Model C schools claimed that parents paid for the
school facilities. The concern he has is the relationship with DOE and who is
responsible for organizing events in the area.
Mr.
Komphela assured them that the Memorandum of
Understanding has been finalized and will address the
problem. He informed them that the academy of sport is free and is maintained by SRSA. Schools Act regulates all schools so
they should all be guided by it. He also promised that
a meeting between the two committees, i.e. sport and recreation and education will be convened to raise this racial saga of Model C
schools.
The
challenge that sport councils have is that Musina
Local Municipality is not represented resulting in
them not getting information from Vhembe District
Municipality.
The
delegation proceeded to Leslie Manyathela stadium.
The facility is waiting for R1,5m from BSRP and R1m
from the mayor has not been used yet. The plan for this amount is to buy
floodlights, fencing and grandstand has to be extended.
In the plan for upgrading will be:
q
A
tennis court
q
Titanic
track
q
Netball
courts
q
Second entrance and commentators’ room.
q
Space
for parking
q
One
tennis court should be converted to basketball court
because there are also other existing tennis courts in the area. Presently only 500 people can be seated in
the stadium. It has change rooms and toilets but no security fence to separate
players from the spectators. Currently the facility is over
used for playing matches and practice so the grass cannot grow as
expected.
7.2. THULAMELA
MUNICIPALITY
The
delegation met with local sport councils and departmental officials in order to
clarify some issues.
Challenges from sport councils:
q
They are faced with hierarchy and without constitution to guide
them and no clear job description.
q
Codes
like soccer, netball and cricket are without ground to play. Basketball is
using indoor poles due to lack of outside facilities. Outside Thulamela there is a basketball
ground but the problem is distance. Athletics failed to be
hosted due to no track in the stadium. Table tennis needs equipment.
Tennis court is only in Thohoyandou not in the rural
areas. The area is about to introduce water lessons but no swimming pool is
available. Rugby is played at school level not in the community. Golf can also be established but there is no facility.
q
There
is only one stadium in Malamulele. The area would
like to focus more on 2010 preparations but the qualifications or requirements
to have such games are too expensive e.g 5 star
hotels etc.
The
delegation advised the sport councils to use their constituency offices for
their operations if they need office space. They were also
asked how ward councils meet. They were informed
that honorary funding is organized to assist ward councilors to attend distant
meetings.
The
sport councils also sought clarity on whether there is budget for sport
councils. They were told that there is none because is
not yet legislated but the MEC could fund the districts and various local
municipalities. The MEC told the delegation that he has been assisting sport
councils but found out that they are not aware of their role. The delegation
wanted to know from the sport councils how they interact with USSASA. Their
response was that there is no clear interaction and there is in fighting over the
same kids. Sport councils are vested with the authority of controlling. When White
schools don’t want to play with Black schools the
sport councils need to notify the MEC to be able to solve that. Sport councils
also wanted to know whether they can be workshopped
or trained on their role and relationship with USSASA.
Concerns from the delegation
The
delegation was concerned that sport councils don’t get
much support they deserve from the Department of Sport and Recreation. They were advised by the delegation to find coordinating
structures linking with DSR. And also need to
formulate sport councils in other three municipalities so that the four could
form a district office. Provincial sport council is not fully
represented and need to start from grassroots level.
7.3 THULAMELA
MUNICIPALITY COUNCILORS’ PRESENTATION
The
council has identified sport centers with a dream of developing other stadiums
with clubhouse, multipurpose, tennis and basketball courts. The only stadium in
the area was tested and the findings showed that the grand stand could collapse
anytime. The council received R1m but need at least R9m to be able to renovate
and strengthen the facility. The main budget for municipality goes to water and
roads not sport.
The
western side of the stadium has a grandstand but to reach the PSL standard the
council needs R40m. According to the Bid Book some
countries will be training in the area so the development is supposed to be
starting soon. Multi court and clubhouse at Malamulele
is built. An amount of R1,5m
has been received to renovate the stadium and R1,4m from Lottery is secured for
the identified centers. Municipality maintains an indoor sport centers built by
BSRP. Rotanda stadium was R500 000.
The
district as a whole has no titan tracks but produced Mbulaheni
Mulaudzi and other athletes in those conditions. The
council also requested that national department to be so kind to give them at
least one stadium with the titan track. Some companies need to look at
investing at such programmes as exposure and but need
media attention. The council is also concerned about the clubs who have more
crowds than national team that would recur in decades to come. The major
concern is that of people who are not patriotic.
8. DAY
5: THURSDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2004 - MPUMALANGA PROVINCE
8.1 MEETING
WITH HOD, MEC AND CHAIRPERSON OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON SPORT, EDUCATION,
ARTS AND CULTURE
The
chief financial officer of the department welcomed the delegation on behalf of
the MEC. The director of sport introduced the officials and handed over to the
chairperson of the standing committee to welcome the delegation on a political
capacity. Ms Dina Pule promised to
assist the delegation wherever possible and would accompany them throughout the
visit.
Mr.
Komphela made introductory remarks on the visit by
the Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation. Mr. Gana,
the Director of Sport presented on programmes and
other challenges of the department.
Programmes:
S
A Games is dedicated to the youth, disabled from
municipal level to provincial level from ages 14 to 21. There are 21
municipalities participating. Federations and the academy play a role in the
process of selections and athlete development. Participating codes are
football, netball, tennis, swimming, athletics, rugby, cricket and hockey.
Academy of sport nurtures the kids and creates opportunity for them to
participate.
Challenges:
Siyadlala programme identified
four nodal points to alleviate poverty and crime hotspots identified are Vosman, Embalenhle, Kanyamazane and Siyabuswa. Siyabuswa has been identified specifically
in conjunction with safety and security. 32 volunteers
have been recruited at a stipend of R1 200.00 per month. Codes or activities
that are involved are general gymnastics, indigenous games, aerobics and street
ball. Due to limited resources participation is not
happening as expected.
SRSA promised to provide equipment but has not yet delivered.
The
department has 18 LSEN schools in the province and has created activities for
the aged and differently challenged in partnership with health and social
services. Workshops have been organized for the LSEN
schools. The promotion of indigenous games focuses on 21 municipalities not on
a massive scale. Provincial team of 48 represented the province in Limpopo. For the next five years, in the strategic plan
will be promotion of indigenous games for youth, aged, inmates and disabled.
Gold Planning Championships used to be played by
advantaged and has been seen as recreational activity but now 18 kids are
identified to participate in September at Pilgrim’s Rest.
Structures
of 21 municipal sport and recreation councils will participate in a capacity building programme
facilitated by the Mpumalanga Academy of Sport. This
would bring impact and empowerment to the people. Linking sport councils and
federations could improve development of sport. There is Maputo-Mpumalanga project emanating from signing of memorandum of
understanding for cooperation and working relations in terms of sport and
recreation. Maputo-Mpumalanga is very good in
volleyball and we taught them netball in exchange of expertise. Maputo-Mpumalanga also taught the province how to track athletes
that lose interest and disappear.
Youth
festivals, HIV, AIDS awareness program, indigenous games and civil servants
exchange programmes are explored.
Handing over of facilities that deteriorate after that due to
minimal budget in the municipalities. Some maintain the facilities very
well. SRSA gave Mpumalanga R10,5m
to develop nine (9) sport facilities in the province. Each municipality has
women structure established (SAWSRA) with two regional structures already
established. The intention is to encourage women and girls to participate in
sport and recreation. Programmes are to be developed
and implemented.
The
delegation was very impressed with a programme called
democracy walk that the youth, aged and the disabled were
afforded an opportunity to participate within the 21 municipalities with
the intention of promoting healthy lifestyles and celebrating the 10th
year of freedom and democracy. The challenge presently is to transform
federations in order to transform the community hence they are
assisted by the department financially.
Vision 2010
The
organizing will start soon and have mayoral cups, district and Premier
provincial cups in preparations. The hosting of 2010 Soccer World Cup by the country
has created an opportunity for football to grow. The province has a dream of
having five players included in the national squad for 2010. The department has
planned to have games in partnership with SAFA, municipalities and business.
During the games SAFA and the Academy of Sport will
play a critical role in identifying and nurturing talent. Capacity will also be built around managers and technical officials.
Lottery has been trying to assist those in need of funds. The process of
distributing funds needs to be decentralized.
The
first game of Mvela Golden League was
hosted in Mpumalanga and the department in
partnership with other stakeholders played a critical role. For the next five years the department has in its strategic plan outlined how
school sport is going to be promoted. In 2005 a
sub-directorate will be established to deal with school sport specifically. A
meeting took place between Culture, Sport and Recreation with Education to look
at a draft memorandum of agreement to be signed by the
two national ministers and have identified areas of focus for each department.
Concerns and questions
q
The
presentation did not mention sport councils and the question is how does the
department assist sport councils? How is Black and White brought together to
play?
q
What
mechanism is in place in keeping record of developed players, eg. Under 12 and 17? Is there a database in place?
q
Any
stadium earmarked for 2010?
q
Where
is sport academy or satellite established? Is korfball played
in the province?
Responses
q
Korfball
is not a code but agreed on to be implemented on S A
Games.
q
Academy
of Sport is housed by Tshwane
University of Technology in Witbank but negotiating
with municipality in Naledi who have facilities so
that the province could move in there. Some municipalities are
identified for satellites.
q
2010 will be hosted in Mbombela sport complex. A
sight has been identified to build the facility after
SAFA has pronounced.
q
Records
of development of athletes have not been able to be done.
Challenge is experienced nationally and SASC is tasked
to research a system to be used to allocate or track athletes. Mr. Komphela suggested that the province should learn from Cuba
on tracking athletes.
8.2. MEETING WITH USSASA – MPUMALANGA
UNITED SCHOOL SPORT ASSOCIATION (MUSSA)
The
Chairperson of the standing committee on culture, sport and recreation opened
the meeting and welcomed all present. Ms Pule
introduced the national chairperson and asked him to address the meeting and
the brief them on the delegation’s visit to the province.
MUSSA
gave presentation as being affiliates of USSASA but preferred to form a
provincial structure bound by USSASA Constitution. They gave a background that
the structure was formed in 1994. In terms of integration they tried to unite all structures conducted by
teachers. Children are participating but there are those few but 95% plays.
Farm schools as well are represented in the structure.
There are four regions according to DSR regions but will be amended to three.
There are three council meetings and one Annual General Meeting per year.
The
relationship with federations is that some members are serving in the
federations as ex-officio members. Competitions are not run separately with
federations and they are very supportive. The
relationship with the government is very good with DSR and DOE and the things
are shaping up now. No policy within the province spelling
out the department’s role to MUSSA but only mutual agreement.
Source
of income is sourced from affiliation from school
level at R3 per child per school but does not meet all the requirements.
Challenges are:
Affordability of
children to purchase attire;
No
equipment nor
facilities;
Lack of human
resources;
A need for qualified
person to deal with school sport with expertise of sport not just anyone should
be a requirement.
Officials are not retained.
Assistance from DSR and
DOE is not offered within the province but only when
going out of the province.
There
should be a policy that binds people dealing with sport.
Some codes don’t want to be part of MUSSA but have their own and take
some Black children from Model C but not developing other schools specific
codes but do it on elite system.
DSR response
MUSSA was not assisted by DSR last year but the year
before were given R200 000. The deputy director that will be
appointed to head school sport will assist the structure.
LSEN:
The
programme is divided into two parts, i.e. severely
and mild group. The mild group has a problem to learn. The severe group is
under DISSA and it is not easy to work with the two groups simultaneously.
USSASA must come back from DISSA and pursue tournaments on their capacity.
DISSA is taking them overseas that are the reason why they don’t
want to be part of USSASA.
School sport challenges
q
No interaction with DSR.
q
Each
region must have a full time school sport officer.
q
Principals
that are not sport oriented don’t release teachers for
sport activities.
q
DOE
fund education but cannot control teachers who are active at school. DOE
seconded teachers to union and kept their positions but why is
the same not done with school sport.
8.3. MEETING
WITH MUNICIPALITIES (MMCs)
Mr.
Makubula welcomed the delegation on behalf of the
mayor of Mbombela Municipality. He assured the team
that the municipality is very honoured
by the visit and is bringing more insight on the people on what they should do
best. He gave the Chairperson of the national Portfolio Committee to take them
through the objective and what achievement they would like to see when leaving
the area.
Mr.
Komphela was delighted to notice that the community
was very happy to meet the delegation and prepared to cooperate with
information sharing session. After introductory remarks and full explanation of
the purpose of the visit then sport councils and councilors from different
municipalities were given an opportunity to share
their views, give details on sport development programmes;
challenges and successes they had experienced.
8.4 MBOMBELA
MUNICIPALITY SPORT COUNCILS
q
They
have sport facilities belonging to the municipality that are manageable,
sustainable and well maintained. There are three stadiums.
q
There
are development plans to reach other areas that are rural. Government of
Germany has formed partnership with them and has accessed some funds to build
swimming pools and other facilities.
q
Youth
is encouraged to participate in activities provided in the area. The only
challenge is to build a stadium in the Mbombela
municipality envisaged by SAFA in preparation for 2010 with inclusion of a
broader infrastructure. They requested the PC to persuade high authorities to
make that happen.
q
They
are looking forward at interacting with National Lottery Fund to get more
funds.
Activities:
The
activity started after losing the first Bid for 2006 and after winning 2010 Mbombela was positioned in the Bid
Book. 2010 council resolved to identify where the
facility will be built in the area. In the council the
technical committee will deal with infrastructure and marketing issues. Matola and Mbabane signed an agreement to have games played
in Swaziland. KaNyamazane, Ntsikazi
and Masoi have been renovated
by grants received from DSR and SASOL.
Challenges and successes:
q
Council
resolved that director of community services should take practise
to other areas so that many communities could benefit.
q
The
council has not succeeded with National Lottery Fund.
q
There
is high expectation and demand on sport facilities since
rural areas have nothing and they just need open grounds. Some grounds
need to be upgraded to accommodate physically
challenged who were not catered for previously. German partners are assisting a
lot in development of sport financially.
Concerns and clarity
q
Is
there any reason for not getting Lottery funds?
q
How
many facilities Mbombela municipality has, where, who
funded them and are they fully utilized?
q
Where
does sport feature in the municipality’s IDP? Sport is
supposed to be included. DSR need to interact with the municipality in terms of
facilities and grants that could be obtained.
q
What
is the municipality doing in the case of leased facilities and not accessible
by the community?
q
The
concern of the delegation was leases given to private clubs such as 99-year
lease where they pay R1 a month. That is not accepted. If for instance a
facility is leased to rugby is the municipality
charging entry fees? How do the community able to access it?
q
African
Bid does not literally mean partnership with other African countries. Only
South Africa is going to host alone.
Responses:
8.5 UMJINDI
SPORT COUNCIL
Successes:
q
It
managed to sustain sport council consisting of all races except Indians, even
disabled persons.
q
They
also managed to get the facility to be accessed by
everyone.
Challenges:
q
Leasing
of facilities to clubs is the main problem. For progress purposes
all clubs are affiliating to Umjindi and if there is
any grant received the sport council must be notified.
q
Municipality
is now compelled to acknowledge the sport councils after the President’s
pronouncement.
q
Members
of municipality don’t attend the sport council
meetings and place sport last. The sport councils’ biggest concern is IDP
prioritization.
q
The
sport councils engaged the mayor when the portfolios were changed but were told to persevere and are not given platform to argue
their case.
q
Umjindi is the only municipality taking sport and culture
without people and everything is done in town.
q
The
area needs swimming pools and other sport facilities.
Concerns from the delegation:
The
challenges mentioned by the sport councils are huge but one sided. The Standing
Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture should follow up these concerns. Some
aspects of the presentation require the Committee’s intervention. It is
important that a mayoral committee has a sport desk.
Intentions
of the IDP were to involve the grassroots and if the final decision is taken
away from them it is not working. It should start from
the ward upwards.
9. DAY
6. 08 OCTOBER 2004
9.1. TJAKASTAD
MULTIPURPOSE
This
facility was built by an NGO called Sports Outreach
Coaches (SCORE) in 2001. The region is divided into
sub regions. Mrs. Msibi, deputy chairperson in the
center briefed the delegation about the facility. The community was invited
during the erection of the facility and sport councils were also
invited during the opening. Community clubs play handball and netball, and use
this facility.
The
facility prevents youth from committing crime. It is
frequently used for indigenous games as well. It needs security fence,
burglar bars and the boarding house is vandalized.
There is no equipment, no hall, no toilets and no water or sanitation. Even the
Department of Sport and Recreation cannot dig borehole because there is no
water at all in the area. If boreholes can be provided
the community would use that water for their household. There are 13 other
facilities like that in the province. DSR promised to bring balls that were requested by Mrs. Msibi for
the children.
9.2 GLENMORE
FACILITY
This
one is an indoor center built in 2001 for R500 000. It was re-ceilinged, put security bars and electricity, ablution
block and caretaker house is built as well as gym. The
second phase is going to build a stadium for R1, 5m from BSRP. Ablution block could not be accommodated due to size. R1, 5m have been utilised including fencing the facility.
Challenges:
q
There
is a need to upgrade stadium especially grandstand
q
Need
to create car parking
q
Lack of equipment.
9.3 MSUKALIGWA
MUNICIPALITY
Ms
Dina Pule briefed the members of the council about
the visit and gave an opportunity to the councilor to welcome the delegation on
behalf of the mayor.
Mr.
Komphela sought clarity from the municipality on who
is responsible or accountable for funds spent and if there are programmes in place that sport could benefit from. He
further noted that in terms of funds that are going to be transferred to MIG,
that was discussed intensively with the Minister of Sport and Recreation, Rev Stofile that once money is given, priorities should be
revisited and money be channeled specifically. The Minister of Sport and
Recreation has discussed with the Minister for Provincial and Local Government
and agreed on ring fencing that money and it should be clearly indicated on
what purpose the money is provided for.
The
councilor noted that they should also be aware of that and see that the money
is used properly and should also request progress
reports on what has been done by the money. Councilors should also keep track
of the process. He suggested an initiative or creative thinking to the people
of the province that the teams that will be coming from other countries will
depend on the province for producing their t-shirts and flags. He requested
that people should be proactive, know the countries that will be playing there,
their flag colours and kit. His initiative is to
create more jobs.
School
sport has a leg for football where they should develop their own programme with initiatives and not depend on SAFA. The
province will also concentrate on players, coaches and other involved people
for the preparations.
9.4 GOVAN
MBEKI MUNICIPALITY
There
are sport councils and one person in the municipality deals with sport matters.
They are faced with a challenge of limited budget to
ensure that sport councilors nurture the talent. Also
the criterion required by National Lottery Fund for applications of the two
year audited statement hinders the progress in the area. Mpumalanga
Academy of Sport offered that those who don’t have
bank statements could apply through them and that brought a relief. The area
has good facilities but need to be upgraded to meet
SAFA standards. IDP is there but the budget is too small to meet all the needs.
There
are two programmes running and in the IDP the essential
services are the priority therefore sport is number seven. The area is poor and
that is why essential services are rated first. Even
the available facilities are not enough.
9.5 DIPALESENG
MUNICIPALITY
BSRP
was playing a crucial role and gave reports to the municipality, which kept
track. Municipalities don’t have capacity to manage
funds whether they are ignorant or are affected by the politics of the area
that needs to be looked at. The representatives requested the possibility of
BSRP to continue funding the building for sport.
Response
from the delegation for clarity from the sport councils
Cabinet
took a decision on transferring of building for sport funds to Local Government and which is closer to the people that must be taken
into consideration and since it is not seen as a core function for sport
and recreation. When budget was distributed it was
evaluated and all of a sudden a jump came out and that projected that building
of facilities had money that was not given before. Facilities are the
responsibility of Local Government to maintain and if they build them they can easily maintain them.
The
core function of sport is mass based participation and school sport programmes. The Portfolio Committee will keep a sharp eye
on the transfer of those funds and will look at other ways of reviewing if
there is no satisfactory progress.
Concerns
from Msukaligwa sport councils
q
How
is the transfer of funds going to be implemented by
MIG especially for 2010?
q
Are
the same principles of BSRP going to be carried over
to MIG? BSRP created jobs and what is MIG going to provide?
q
Big
businesses don’t support sport activities at all.
Federations don’t channel enough money to the local
teams.
q
The
area has one of the best facilities in the province and if that could host one practise session and coaching
clinics for 2010 would be appreciated. The province must also come up with a programme that will include all the municipalities.
Response
from the DSR
BSRP
is incorporated to MIG according to IDPs and not all municipalities will benefit. A reporting
mechanism will take place on monthly basis. IDPs would be submitted and backlog will be checked accordingly
and those who deserve will be granted.
Response
of the delegation
Agreement
within the ministries for the person who was responsible for BSRP will still be
available. All infrastructures will go through MIG. Then municipalities who
have problems with their business people need to engage with them and this province
should invite SAPPI and SELATI to the Sport Indaba that will
be called by the MEC.
9.6 USSASA
REPRESENTATIVES – (MUSSA)
This
structure is affiliated to USSASA but called MUSSA because it
represents Mpumalanga United School Sport Association.
They had a concern on interpretation of mass participation and the lack of
school sport policy that need to be sped up. Under
which department will school sport be placed? What
will be the role of USSASA then?
Response
from the delegation
USSASA
differs from province to province where in some rural areas the structure does
not appear. USSASA will still play a major role in schools. The Portfolio
Committee on Sport and Recreation could not agree with what the Minister
interprets mass participation but negotiations are still on.
9.7 Briefing
by MEC, Mr. Madala Masuku
The
MEC could not meet with the delegation on the first day due to other
commitments. He joined it at the last leg of the visit but appreciated the
visit by the delegation and the matters raised by all concerned. He noted sport
has organized various disjointed parts. He further mentioned the Olympic team
that was sent to Athens as measurable objective to the
achievement of the country. He informed the delegation that all issues raised
are known but just need consultation with the stakeholders and put timeframes
to achieve them. Need to develop a plan in order to link with MIG. Each
municipality must form a council that will identify needs of each community. He
concluded by thanking the delegation again for information shared with the
province that shed some light and brought the province on the same wavelength
of understanding issues around sport.
10. DAY7 : SATURDAY, 9 OCTOBER 2004
The
delegation visited Gauteng and was
invited by the MEC to Masakhane Games in
Johannesburg Athletics Stadium. The purpose of the games is to identify talent
from ward, district and provincial level in order to select the best for the province.
Masakhane Games are part of South African Games but
each province has its own name.
The
delegation was impressed to see representivity of
demographics. The participants were delighted during the presentations when
they won medals.
11. DAY
8: SUNDAY, 10 OCTOBER 2004
The
members of the delegation visited Freedom Park in Pretoria.
12. DAY
9: GAUTENG PROVINCE
12.1 MEETING WITH THE MEC, HOD AND CHAIRPERSON OF
THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON SPORT, ARTS AND CULTURE.
Ms.
Barbara Creesy, MEC extended a word of welcome to the
delegation and appreciated them for attending the Masakhane
Games. She took the members through the programmes of
the department but stated that the Chief Director would present fully since she
was meeting with the Premier on budget matters and could not be with the
delegation for long. Mr. Vuyani Mpofu,
chief director presented on key areas of the activities and referring to the
objectives stated by the Portfolio Committee for the visit.
Mr.
Mpofu noted that Masakhane
Games is used as a spring ball to select the best for
the province and sport academy is about development of athletes and coaches.
The province has eight sport codes in the academy. Promotion of life style is
under recreation from preschool, caregivers up to inmates. Gauteng
participated in the Indigenous Games in Polokwane.
Eight hubs have been identified with appointed
coordinators in the province. A document on school sport is out to revive the
Memorandum of Understanding in Gauteng.
There
is a concern of overlapping of boundaries and local structures are lacking
capacity.
Comments
from the delegation
The
Chairperson commended the presentation as informative and well presented. He
gave the other provinces’ views on the Cabinet’s decision to transfer facilities
to municipalities as a big mistake. He then needed Gauteng’s
view on the matter whether they view it as realistic or what. He shared
experience gathered from other provinces on White former Model C schools that
play their own games and wanted to determine whether the same happens in the
province. He opened a debate on how to resolve that problem and their views to
enable the delegation to regulate or introduce legislation that could enforce
to remedy the situation.
Response
from the department
MEC
suggested that BSRP should be influenced by the budget
for 2004/05 and the question of transfer is more complex. Johannesburg has a
capacity and cannot take a blanket decision on this matter. Metros have
capacity but issue is prioritization of that capacity. Another question that
one must ask is whether the facilities are running sport programmes
or weddings and funerals and that is a challenge that has to be
confronted.
The
province held meetings with the municipalities and with the hubs to strategize the
objectives. She mentioned a need to look at the cost of government when
building facilities whether there are programmes to
go with. She was delighted to notice that the delegation is keen to address the
racial issue affecting school sport. She alluded to the fact that its only
minority white kids that participated in Masakhane
Games. She further mentioned that SARFU select from matches played during
Easter weekend by white scholars. She promised to meet with the coordinators
that organize tournaments to determine exactly what they are
meant for. The tournament played at Krugersdorp
during Easter pretended to have Black schools while those scholars are from
those Model C schools.
Comments
from the delegation
USSASA
is supposed to coordinate school sport but some schools are not participating.
What is the role of USSASA in this province? What has been
noticed is that they become organizers of tournaments. What challenges
are you faced with either than equipment for 2010?
Response
from the province
The
hubs are not fully operating; there is a need for sustainability. The hubs are
a good initiative but it is not user friendly driven and they are placed where there is no stability. Even to implement
them is a problem. Hubs should be building sport organizations and should
belong to certain community. The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture have
been looking at expanding hubs but don’t see
sustainability.
USSASA. The absence of national policy has helped people to
seize the gaps. Civil society took the process when USSASA was
formed. School sport was delegated to background of issues and has two
legs i.e. education and sport. Schools were faced with problem where non examined were taken out including physical education.
There is no certainty on school sport. Various provinces have taken various
agreements on sport issues and on their MOUs.
Department of Education (DOE) together with USSASA has run school sport and
that need to be revitalized. DOE is a custodian of
curriculum and a responsibility of what is happening in school.
The
delegation then further commented that SRSA has R9m and gave
R1m to each province without guidance and never provided clear plan of
action and sustainability. Hubs are to be owned by
everyone.
Ms Creesy responded by pointing out that
there is no problem with the hubs in the Metros and cannot presume that people
will come because there is equipment. Tendering has
been centralized and the department is not clear about that but they
were only requested to forward needs.
The
delegation sought clarity on what happened to
communities staying far from the hubs and how do people access those hubs.
Mention was made about School Governing Bodies (SGBs) who close or lock facilities for people not to access
them.
The
MEC responded that they wanted to have central hub with satellites. She cited
an example of a model in Cape Town where they negotiated with communities on
how to use the facilities. She was concerned that school sport is not feasible
to be SRSA’s responsibility especially around issues
of safety of kids that can be very complex. Another concern was the tight
budget that DOE has and teachers are not expected to work in the afternoons and
the question is where is SRSA going to get money to
fund those teachers.
The
leader of the delegation appreciated the input and suggested that the province
should interact with people and give their different views. He mentioned that
the Portfolio Committee is waiting for the MOU agreement to be
tabled before it. Local community clubs are faced
with problems of accessing National Lottery Fund and he wanted to know how that
issue affects Gauteng.
The
MEC reported that Dr Phaahla, CEO of South African
Sport Commission gave an undertaking that the Lottery will be going on road
shows and have not seen that yet in the province. The crucial question is
budgeting cycle where the department needs to look at the gaps where Lottery
could come in to assist. But some organizations with
genuine programmes don’t qualify for Lottery grants
due to the requirement of the two-year audited bank statement. She thanked the
delegation for the visit and saw it as a good initiative. The leader of the
delegation also thanked the MEC for accepting the invitation to host them and
suggested that schools should visit Freedom Park frequently.
12.2 MEETING
WITH MMCs
The
Chairperson of the Standing Committee in the province welcomed guests from
three Metros. He briefly gave an overview objective of the visit by the
Portfolio Committee. He mentioned the importance of cooperative governance on
other spheres’ priorities and responsibilities in order to have synergy on what
everyone do. He assured that all stakeholders present in that meeting were
invited to interact with the delegation to get advice, share ideas and also to strengthen relationship between the spheres of
government.
Mr.
Komphela addressed the stakeholders
and remarked that the Portfolio Committee has a constitutional mandate to do
oversight and gave full purpose of the visit. He requested all the
participants to present on their issues or activities related to sport.
12.3 JOHANNESBURG
MUNICIPALITY
Ms
Nyatlo presented on the following:
q
Sport
and recreation falls under Social Development.
q
Swimming
pool has been completed in Orange Farm, which is an
informal settlement.
q
Johannesburg
municipality has eleven (11) regions. The strong focus is in Soweto and
informal settlement for development.
q
Challenges:
most of the programmes are decentralized.
q
They
submit to the MEC’s office municipal needs and they
look at the motivation also approve with conditions and don’t
interfere with tenders.
q
MOU
is available and clear on distribution of funds.
q
Cooperate
governance – good relationship few areas need protocol tightened up and would
appreciate national committee could give more time to prepare for presentation.
She also requested that national should expedite government structure for 2010
since municipalities were told to behave and stick to
the Bid Book. The municipality is not going to build any facility but to
upgrade.
q
Federations
– they must be brought to order and cannot tolerate SAFA who comes to them at
the eleventh hour for hosting an event.
Comments and questions from the delegation
q
Do
you get funding from Lottery? What was it for?
q
The
delegation has noticed that councilors broadly don’t
understand the significance of the State of Nation of Address. What is the role
of the Department of Sport and Recreation for SETAs
in the province e.g. THETA to assist them on what SETA
is all about.
q
Municipalities
have presented best approach when it comes to sport but DSR don’t
have clear programme stating that they are starting
from which level to what level.
q
Give
specific examples on transformation by federations that you commented on.
q
Are
local communities accessing municipal facilities?
Response
q
Johannesburg
relooked at Expanded Public Works Programme
in line with the President’s State of Nation Address. When departments go for tenders they should look at the programmes.
q
Mayor
decided to have R110m for community based programmes where each ward was given R1m and they were
asked on how they are going to spend it.
q
90% chosen was sport and recreation that would be delivered 2004/05.
q
Accessibility
– disestablished facility management committee precisely as to who took charge
facilities from the old order. After that decision
people have been threatened for their lives. 90% of
those people have been dismissed and that is why they were disestablished. In
white areas they are privatized but the municipality
is dealing with it and is a major challenge.
Regional director has discretion of
exempting people from tariff fees. It is not clear on accessing funds from
Lottery, SREC partnered to get money for Meadowlands.
12.4 TSHWANE MUNICIPALITY
The presenter gave a political
overview on what the municipality is doing. They have health, environment and
tourism, sport, art and culture and social science together. Sport and
recreation is managed by Housing. 400 facilities are
managed from national to underdeveloped. Social Development enjoys 12% of
municipality budget.
Policies – there is sport policy
approved by council last year. The municipality has managed to normalize
tariffs and upgraded them where 100% discount is afforded to disadvantaged
communities. User policy – starting a
policy where facilities are used and municipality have to maintain after that
has looked at community events. Some facilities are not complete. Sum of R6m
was received from the province. There is nothing happening at Themba Stadium but H M Pietjie
Stadium does not qualify for FIFA because of their change rooms.
Some of the facilities were inherited
and a legal team started to review lease agreements owned by private clubs
paying only R40 per annum and also exempted from
paying lights and water. This user policy is going to assist in accessing these
types of facilities. Nissan sponsors mayoral soccer club and kids get
everything from playing to practicing. There are city-to-city events happening.
Elderly people celebrated international sport day. There is a healthy
relationship with Northern Cricket and Blue Bulls and they started with
development programs in the community.
Hurdles – sport officials with
qualification of sport management have never been able to use it. That has been
looked at to put people where they belong. There are exchange programmes
exchanged with Switzerland. The cross border issue is very slow. They agree to
fund the facility and after fencing nothing happened, e.g. Garankuwa
and Mabopane.
2010 – office
of the mayor has task team i.e. department, tertiary education, federations etc
to meet and look at the infrastructures for the preparation of 2010 Soccer
World Cup host. USSASA and the municipality have a good relationship. Got R500 000
from Lottery and were told that they don’t give money
to municipalities but that has changed.
Clarity from the
delegation
Each province will be given an
opportunity to host games but it is likely that only Port Elizabeth and
Northern Cape will build new stadiums.
12.5 EKURHULENI MUNICIPALITY
Vosloorus is
developed and after completion will be inspected by FIFA. Minor
projects with major implications e.g. swimming pools. On 5 November there will be a launch of a programme with parks
and sport. Mass participation has 10 – 15 000 kids participated in SA Games
last year and 500 were chosen to participate in East London.
There is no relationship with Tennis
South Africa. Golf is developed and funded by municipality and professional
golfers are encouraged to adopt youth. Four have been adopted. Kids from 3 – 6
years participate in Kiddies Olympics where they play all types of games.
Aerobics are linked with Siyadlala Programme. Also employees have inter city games.
USSASA has no direct relationship with
the municipality but have direct one with Gauteng
School Sport. All 99-year leased facilities have been audited and have only 2 that are 30 year leased. When the lease expires
it is not reviewed. Every rented facility is on municipality tariffs. Mvela clubs and other developing clubs have access without
paying tariffs. Lottery – never had access but spoken to Swimming South Africa
to assist with swimming pool in Germiston that will
be a high profile indoor facility.
The municipality is considering having
operational funding as well as for personnel, resources and machinery. High
percentage of lack of staff is a challenge that results at facilities being
vandalized without being managed. There is also lack of recreational officers.
Makhulong is
in the Bid Book for practice purpose that will attract crowds during the 2010
host. Roads to stadium also need to be taken care of as part of preparation
package. The municipality will submit a presentation and master plan. Ekurhuleni is putting up cricket pitches. Sport boundaries
– relationship is very strong and good. Facilities are there but their
boundaries are different from municipality to municipality that creates
conflict to municipalities. Legacy programme assisted in the multipurpose and
took up with cricket pitch.
Delegation
comments
q
Who
are the main participants from the community?
q
Need
to concentrate on low level grounds to accommodate
poor communities where you grade the field and kids play.
Response
q
Sport
cut across political agenda. Sport councils are non-partisans. Games are played
across party lines.
q
Hindrances
to accessibility
Fees
are exorbitant
Disability
Lack
of facilities
Housing should be approached when
building houses to include sport facilities in the plan. National agenda should
lead to the unification of sport codes. Lottery fund
application form is very complicated. Federations need to look at
transformation issue. No flow of information only those who attend national
meetings are informed. Part of USSASA and federations are conflicting instead
of complementing each other.
13. DAY 10: 12 OCTOBER 2004
13.1 MEETING WITH GAUTENG SCHOOL SPORT, GDE, AND
SPORT COUNCILS
Mr. Fani Mokoena, the deputy chairperson of the Gauteng
School Sport welcomed the delegation and members of the sporting codes. He
handed over to Mr. Moodley to present on behalf of Gauteng USSASA.
Key
performance area:
Success factors
The province has 12
districts and grouped together with Gauteng School
Sport council being the decision makers.
USSASA is a national body so the province preferred to be called Gauteng School Sport.
It has restructured themselves to this
name in 2002 using their own logo until the province comes up with a provincial
official logo.
It is supported by Gauteng
Department of Education and starting to align public schools participating in
school sport.
There is a regulation dealing with
international tours.
Boundaries are very challenging.
Majority of the districts have mirror
imaged the plan.
Concerns and
questions
q
Government
cannot just dissolve a structure without proposed future for the next one.
q
Changes
have happened since the inception of USSASA but it is correct for the
delegation to examine what is going on from USSASA stakeholders on what should
be happen.
q
Is
USSASA ready to meet challenges of transforming school sport nationally? We are
here to hear on how you envisage the implementation. Need to hear your
challenges when engaged in tournaments.
q
Model
C schools select their own with the majority of players in the team from your
province under USSASA banner.
q
Are you affiliated to USSASA? What about 30% not affiliated according
to your presentation? Are you affiliated per region or
per school?
q
DISSA
vs school sport. DISSA don’t
want to be part of USSASA because you can’t take them to Athens. What makes DSR
to delay realignment of borders?
Responses
q
Gauteng school sport is an affiliate of USSASA but don’t want to duplicate the name.
q
The
relationship with local government will be aligned should the province have one
local structure but the relationship is very good but not tighten up.
q
Schools
have 12 districts and they affiliate to the province and then to national.
q
Farm
schools are clustered in 5 or 10 according to their
demarcation boundaries.
q
Affiliation
fee is R600 per school.
q
Transformation
– English and Afrikaans schools have historically been next to each other but
never played together. That is a long inherited problem.
q
Federations
– they are caught over colour
issue. They don’t look at ex-model c schools kids that
can produce the quality we looking for e.g. cricket. The quota should go lower
down to achieve success. Transformation is not happening as wished. Federations
should have age levels and some people should deal with some ages.
q
There
is a need to bring all partners on board and to turn all schools into academy
of sport. All medals came from gymnastics in 1999 All Africa Games.
q
30% non-affiliates have loopholes e.g. sport policy is not available or
guidance to align activities taking place.
q
Schools
are divided into categories – private schools have lieu way and see no reason
to play with the public schools.
q
Metro
local government and DSR have sport desks. When a child gets involved in a club
don’t want to come back to play for school and school
loses that kid.
q
The
way sport is managed at townships is not good, next-door schools don’t want to play against each other. Those with money go
to play without even telling Gauteng Department of
Education and that is wrong.
q
LSEN vs USSASA – this is a big challenge and they both need to
speak in one language not as normal sport or disabled sport but all under
sport. DISSA is recognized as other sport codes. The
relationship between DISSA and GDE – Department of Sport and Recreation, GDE
and LSEN were called in a workshop in Warmbaths to outline racial divide. Only one sector
attended. DISSA restructured and reformalised but has
not come out with the one sector. Have component that links with LSEN. Number
of meetings was held but the gap is still there.
q
April
GSS met with DISSA and reamplified the alignment of
school sport on how to harness funding collectively. DISSA have adults and
scholars brought together. This needs to be separated
in order for learners to go to school structures.
q
GDE
commented that learner has no pride in terms of participation because they got banned before winning a medal, who takes responsibility?
Need to deal with age group at schools and the learner should
be handed over to be monitored or nurtured instead of getting money
first.
q
Power-
this has to change with the changing of times and not cling on the past powers.
All must be joining hands to formulate one sport structure.
q
GDE
is committed to unification until the two departments, i.e. SRSA and DOE come
up with the belonging of school sport. Model C go with what SGBs
decide.
q
Gaps are created due to full-time jobs on part-time basis.
q
GDE
has not handed Section 21 (i)(i) (b) to the school sport but still in discussion.
q
Accountability
– sport is understood to be the competency of DSR in
the province. Dealing with school sport management and functionality should be given to GDE. The province is ready to move under
DOE or SRSA but with personnel to manage school sport.
q
During
tournaments an educator has to hold meetings but principals are
not allowing them due to the core function of teachers is teaching. A proposal
is that two people be appointed to deal with codes and
be allocated to each district. Higher Education Institution is not well coordinated
because some schools fall under Further Education and Training (FET).
The director from DSR highlighted that
there was a policy put in place but took four turns and still is not right.
Policy at national level is not available to address these issues. Memorandum
of Understanding (MOU) will be revisited and streamlined to Memorandum of
Agreement (MOA).
13.2 MEETING WITH SPORT COUNCILS – EKURHULENI AND
GAUTENG NORTH
Blue Bulls in Gauteng
North was very successful with National Sport Congress that changed to National
Sport Council and then changed again to Gauteng North
Sport Council. They are totally
committed to the call of unifying communities particularly the farm schools in
conjunction with GDE. Correctional Services have juveniles participating in
sport and see it as a strong point to rehabilitate them. The only funds they
get are from Vodacom and Lottery and nothing from government. They have forum with Tshwane
Municipality and working well. It used to be difficult to bring wards together
but wards now are represented. Districts have three local sport councils in
charge of the whole area. DSR and sport council formed a forum.
Some sport federations are doing a
good job, some are not involved but need to identify those in the rural areas
and if there is no activity they have to take it up.
There are many volunteers in the townships but are not trained. There is not
enough talent identification and development going on and no
sufficient follow up to develop those identified talents. There is
SSASSU, USSASA, DISSA in the structures. The structure
controls colours and emblem for Gauteng North. Sport
federations pay R150 per federation to register per year.
Challenges:
q
Talent
is identified from rural areas but later is not
supported or monitored by the structure.
q
There
are no funds to take the participants internationally.
13.3 EKURHULENI METRO
They used to belong to central Gauteng when it died they formed their own with their
Constitution and 31 sport codes. There is no fund from the government.
Affiliates pay R200 per year and sport councils also
pay R200 a year. Cricket doesn’t share what they have
or even assist in putting sport facilities. Cricket facilities are not
accessible. Those involved with table tennis from Ekurhuleni
have a problem of funding and facility.
There are clubs in the area like Thema, Katlehong and Thembisa who cannot even pay R50 a year because of poverty.
They don’t have resources to develop people. Women
cricket in Ekurhuleni is represented but struggling
with facilities and finances. The general problem around the townships and the
gap between the municipality and DSR is that sport councils are not recognized
and so they lose interest especially athletes. Government is using soccer by
spending own money and to being recognized or appreciated. Children are also
transported by the councils’ money from their own pockets.
During NSC
sport was vibrant but when SASC came in it brought commercialization.
Benchmarking and partnership with other countries was good but without future
for sport councils. Sport councils are just public relations officers who used
to have exchange programmes without funding but used to raise funds.
Challenges:
q
Partnership
with federations is non-existent. If they are brought to the townships
they are concerned about their safety more than understanding where the players
come from.
q
Fencing
is the new sport funded by Swedish government. People managing sport should
know about the codes they manage.
Comments and
clarity sought by the delegation
q
During
Barberton council Ekurhuleni
municipality used to work hand in hand and why is that not happening now?
q
What
is the relationship with academy of sport? Any data for athletes for the purpose of monitoring?
q
The
delegation highlighted the fact that the President did not make a mistake when
identifying sport for unifying people.
q
UCB
identified facilities for Legacy Programmes after
2003 Cricket World Cup. Where are they built?
Responses
q
Successes
– assisted with metro regional games and Masakhane
Provincial Games.
q
Transformation
and development officer has been appointed.
q
GDE
– Issue of private sector involvement
sponsorship depends on who manages the event.
Issue
of dictatorship on where they want to plough their money
It
is difficult to develop kids and then must go to national and must give R1 800
to attend the tournament
The
structure needs synergy to account on development and activities i.e.
structuring according to ward levels. For example, look at the obesity of
children because they are not involved but sit and watch TV.
Development
– weakness is that development does not exist in federations GDE has shifted
from development to education and training.
Facility
management – an audit was made on how much is spent on refurbishment.
Skills
transfer – federations should be held accountable because they know how.
DSR-
the department should take responsibility on what they do.
Response from Ekurhuleni
q
It is
the newest metro. Sport councils are not getting the attention they used to get
because the metro is in a transitional phase.
q
The
relationship is good.
q
The
municipality is looking at channeling the funds via the sport councils in the
next financial year. They will ensure that the sport councils will be getting
the recognition they deserve.
Gauteng North Sport Council
q
New
national structure in plan (SPORTCO) is because of the failure and
non-performance of SASC. The concern is the route taken again for coming up
with a new structure instead of identifying the cause of failure.
q
Academies
of sport recognize only 8 codes and support only
those.
q
A
recommendation was made that sport should be part of
the curriculum to sow the seed to keep kids away from streets and drugs.
q
JHB
municipality suggested that Batho Pele
be struck down because it does not serve the purpose.
q
Government
must come with national programmes that will be followed by provinces.
q
GDE
have trained 6 000 educators on foundation and semi foundation courses through Dipapadi programme to identify
learners who are good in sport but not good intellectuals that should be
allocated in a certain programme where they excel
most.
q
Gauteng North and University of Pretoria have an outstanding
laboratories but for testing session one has to have R2 000 per person. That is
one of the big challenges.
q
Cuba
has a very good physical education programme that we
can learn from.
14. DAY 11: 12 OCTOBER 2004
14.1 MEETING WITH SPORT CODES- JOHANNESBURG
ATHLETICS STADIUM
Gauteng Cricket:
q
Lawrence
presented to the delegation that cricket is going through restructuring with
all role players involved. The biggest challenge is finance.
q
67
coaches have been employed in 8 townships on seasonal
basis on 6-month contracts. The number is cut into
half due to financial constraints now. Kids are playing external fixtures at
primary and high schools.
q
There
are 67 clubs from schools with Blacks in the premier league clubs. Academy
looks after elite players. Under 19 A and Under 15 teams were selected on
merit.
Questions for
clarity
q
What
do you think should happen when picking 50% advantaged and 50% disadvantaged?
q
What about too many Black clubs?
q
Where
do these kids go to school?
q
Why
are these kids not going to senior team? How successful are your development programmes?
q
Gauteng is the richest in the country. How do you prioritise? Are the amateurs getting less and professionals
getting more?
q
How
can you keep encourage interest in cricket?
q
Is
UCB looking at who is running school sport? Is franchise issue addressing the
fundamental issue of UCB?
q
What
is the relationship between UCB, USSASA and sport councils?
q
How
far are you with transformation?
q
Are
you prepared to take two full years to focus on townships and forget about
powerful Model C schools?
q
What
is your time frame to achieve represented demographics
of the country? In which year? Have you been
transferring skills or transforming?
q
When
talking about integration, how often do township schools play against other
schools?
Response from
cricket
q
Programmes should be set up through statistics of kids who were selected. Academy programmes
are important to track those kids. The union used to pick kids and forgot about
them later. Also selected clubs need sustainability. Soweto has only 2 stadiums. Transport is also a major problem.
q
Lenasia is leading and most of the kids have
been developed through the academy. Quality has been
brought from the academy.
q
UCB
came up with a bursary to Model C schools and also
creating cricket schools within the township with the help of MTN.
q
Its
one of the situations that is a major challenge, it’s
a movement of professional players. Outcome will be reflected
in the next coming years.
q
Local talent is there and local development
nurtures them,
q
In
the past cricket gave people biscuits and juice but still need to focus on
building and resources
q
Need
to get Education on board to balance since they have 45 primary schools and 10
high schools in the area
q
Amateur
cricket needs to show growth in resources.
q
Cricket
is unique because it takes the whole day so to create enthusiasm one needs to
ensure continuity.
q
There
are two school bodies, i.e. primary and high schools led by teachers also for
financial support.
q
It’s difficult to answer about the franchise because Franchise Company has
separate board of directors. In terms of players UCB
has 6 franchises with 11 in the amateur and 5 teams, that is quality cricket.
There are 67 players playing for 1st class compared to
33 last year.
q
For
transformation to be achieved need keenness. Many
coaches are taken by schools because coaches in the programme
are of high quality,
q
For
time frame, probably in the next four years but cannot give assurance to
develop another Graeme Smith in Kagiso.
q
There
is transformation process where leaders are busy with elite players.
q
Half
of the board is Black and believe that transformation is happening.
q
Schools
play regular fixtures against each other. 24 teams are
sent out of Gauteng leagues to play consistently.
GDE comments
q
In
the province there are three provinces dealing with cricket, e.g. Titans etc.
All sporting codes are ignoring political boundaries but cricket board will answer
to that. National federations divide the boundaries and differ from code to
code. Some have money to push their own agendas.
14.2 SWIMMING –
GAUTENG
q
The
national government funds for swimming programmes in
four regions, i.e. Sedibeng, Tshwane,
Ekurhuleni and Eastern Gauteng.
Kagiso have a problem to run their programmes and how the coaches are paid is another problem.
q
15 to 30 swimmers swim at entry-level competitions because
there are only White swimmers who go to national competitions.
q
The
area is engaged in learnership programmes
training set up. That will be linked up to OBE and
certificates will be awarded. There is lack of strong administration in the
Black communities and no passion for swimming.
q
Umsobomvu have been requested to lobby youth on board and
through Gauteng academy sum of R600 000 has been
received.
q
The
intention now is to track national gold, bronze and silver medallists
to come on board as role models. One swimmer is selected
to Commonwealth Games in November.
Questions of
clarity
q
Were you represented in national competitions?
q
As far as swimming is concerned. During Olympics
they complained of facilities and competition as far as elite is concerned.
q
Responses
q
Yes, 3 disadvantaged were represented, i.e. Gauteng
from Soweto. Four swimmers are paid for fully in the
academy and 40 others in the academy are from other areas. From the four two
are from Soweto.
q
Swimming
South Africa has training centers in the universities and don’t
want to source high performance centers. There are facilities but they are not strategically placed but any high level facility.
q
There
is level 1,2,3 and senior national competition that
qualify to go to Olympics. To keep the four swimmers in the
high performance center costs R300 000 a year.
q
There
are four affiliates in the province and trying to buy-in and conform to the
four regions. There is a programme in Sharpeville and
the payment is R1 500. Pools are heated.
q
There
is transport available for Sebokeng to go and swim in
Vereeniging. Adult swimming have
instructors who have sourced profit out but don’t have resources to sustain
adult programmes so it belongs to private owners.
q
Swimming
pools were not available at schools in the past so DOE should arrange water
awareness programmes and swimming lessons.
q
Gauteng School Sport is affiliated
to Swimming S A but schools sport run its own sport programmes
without federations.
GDE and GSS
comments
q
In
terms of the Constitution of school sport says that
all school sport codes Swimming SA is the competency of the province so school
sport should sit in the executive of Swimming S A but this has not been
successful. It looks as if its competition between school sport and
federations. Unless demarcation comes out clearly the problem
will still be there.
q
GDE
is ready and waiting for federations. Swimming S A programmes don’t match with theirs but there is synergy.
14.3 NETBALL –
GAUTENG ACADEMY
q
Central
Gauteng has provincial structure with 5 satellite regions. They also have four-year programme aiming to see players in 2007 playing for the
country. One player qualified for the national team.
q
There
are problems within the region. Two leagues are running, one is recognized and
one not. There are 8 courts and change rooms. Soweto
is running the league and controls the region.
q
Moving
White players to the township is such a hassle. DSR came up with academy that
brought growth. It was a hassle before to get players from USSASA. USSASA has got good players but the bond is to be strengthened. The
eight courts cannot be used due to leasing condition and are not affiliated to
Netball S A
Questions for
clarity
q
When was the lease granted?
q
Have
you aligned Netball according to demarcation?
q
Where
do you put DISSA in the academy of swimming?
Response
q
The
lease started three years ago.
q
They
play social netball not affiliated to Netball South Africa. There are six
regions in Gauteng and netball operates according to
the regions.
q
DISSA
is affiliated to Swimming South Africa and swim with
the structures. DISSA need to align themselves with provincial and local
structures.
Eastern Gauteng Hockey
A presenter on behalf of the structure
noted that it is self-funding presently but the department promised to provide
for money. It is a small union with 16 clubs and has been developing for 12
years. Hockey as a structure has changed from grass floor to synthetic and this
is the only union that does not have synthetic floor. The club at Thembisa is training in a tennis court.
The development programme is funded by
union funds generated from the club. Union pay certain percentage to SA Hockey.
Resources are very limited. Coaches are volunteers and assist where they can. Allister has started an academy for the disadvantaged. The
problem is that players are lost due to lack of extra turf but started with
junior hockey with 30 Blacks out of 100 players.
Facilities in Ekurhuleni
are deteriorating. The union used to have 28 clubs but now there is only 14. The application to Lottery for synthetic track
was unsuccessful. When USSASA took over boundaries
they took out players from the union. Youngsters have no financial means, they
have been funded and they play home games due to lack of facilities in Thembisa. The union paid off Under 21 when they were sent
away to play. The board has 3 Whites and 3 Blacks. The
area starts from Rygerpark to Benoni.
Comments and
questions for clarity
q
Do
the clubs play against each other?
q
Why
have you not mentioned West Rand?
Response
q
Yes,
they are invited to squad training to further their
knowledge in hockey. Those who used to play on grass need to be
retrained on synthetic track.
q
The
union had successful tournament where a side was picked to play in S A Games.
q
GDE
and GSS added that in terms of demarcation of federations and name choice is
different. So there is non-alignment of boundaries by
federations.
Sport For All
q
This
NGO is for sport development concentrating on developing multi sport codes.
Presently is operating in Katlehong and Limpopo. It has introduced soccer, tennis, hockey, but will
soon be introducing athletics and others.
q
The
organization looks at facilities in the community and speaks to kids and
communities on their needs. Also approaches local communities to request to use
those under utilized facilities. It has approached the regional office of Sport
and Recreation for database for coaches and the next step is to go to
federations for accreditation to the codes they
coaching. Coaches will also receive life skills training and
also with children for 30 minutes discussions.
q
Way
forward is to take key learning around the country. For multi sport approach they would take group of kids in the area to
play all sport and look at what sport is much favoured.
They have noticed that out of 293 kids that played in their presence don’t know any other sport either than soccer and netball.
q
They
have employed 63 unemployed people as coaches but funding from Msobomvu has now stopped. Previously Msobomvu
funded training of coaches and now is funded by High
Performance Center in Limpopo. Kids contribute and
that money pays the coach and that allows the ward to perpetuate its own code.
Questions
q
Have
you been approached by the department to assist?
Response
q
Yes.
The organization has presented a document to the department stating how to
start the process. If hubs are changed to franchises can show sustainability
and its not a self sustainable model. Presently, the
organization is concentrating on unemployed people who are interested to be trained in coaching.
q
There are two different approaches on those kids who
can afford or parents
who can afford to pay R10 a month.
The delegation advised Sport for All not to close doors to those who cannot afford to pay but
devise ways of dealing with the challenge.
14.4 EASTERN GAUTENG KARATE
Mr. Mtshali
gave a brief background on karate and challenges that the code is experiencing.
He offered himself to be a development officer of karate due to lack of Black
people in the executive. 95% involved in karate are
Whites and it has been like that for forty years. A number of Blacks dropped
drastically after 1994 and the reason for that discouragement is not known.
There are two sections with four
blocks. Blacks are still followers not leading in karate. There is no financial
support. In terms of facilities are not available but using schools and
churches. In 24 years Springs councils has not
assisted but the community and improved the shack that was given. Karate
association has been suspended due to mismanagement. Presently there is a big
problem and he requested when Karate as federation is invited to the Portfolio
Committee karate blocks must be invited too to address the challenges.
14.5 MEETING WITH MUNICIPALITIES AND SPORT CODES
West Rand municipality is comprised of
4 municipalities and facilities are well maintained. Westonaria have facilities owned by mines and are not used
because people are not interested in sport. Mogale
have 15 sport facilities, 2 netball courts, 2 tennis, 2 basketball,
1 volleyball and those not utilized like tennis are deteriorating. In Kagiso the department gave R432 000 for upgrading. Lusaka is
an informal settlement and it’s difficult to identify
areas to sport facilities because it is meant for agriculture.
There is a stadium identified that
could be cheaper to use and close to schools. Two areas in Mogale
city construction of sport fields are taking place. Randfontein
have recreational center used to be beer hall but was
revamped in 2001 funded by SRSA. Randfontein has a
problem with by-laws and ladies league with Sanlam and MTN are the only ones to access those fields
because they don’t have sport forum and are outside the sport councils. In Westonoria sum of R175 000 was provided for developing
tennis court, hall and gymnasium in 2002.
Challenges:
q
The
negotiations are going on with mining companies who have sport fields in their
properties and the municipality to access the facilities to the community.
q
Khutsong stadium was built but vandalized
and that stadium needs funding for upgrading. Khutsong
must be encircled into a safe area.
q
Wedela has no sport facility owned by the council but
utilizing school grounds that gets vandalized too.
They requested the delegation to focus on Lusaka that links the town and
township but without a facility. Wedela was
previously a mine quarters but in 1995 declared a residential area with a
municipal status.
q
Elandsvlei is developed and taken care of by
community.
q
Meraforong in Western Deep Level owned by Anglo Mines is not utilized and sustainability is questionable.
q
Green
Park used to be minority area for coloureds and now
is no longer only for coloureds.
The delegation
sought clarity on whether they have applied from the Lottery Fund. The response
was that only sporting codes but municipality has not. West Rand cannot manage
to sustain facility handed over to them.
14.6 MEETING WITH
DISTRICT MUNCIPALITY STRUCTURES AND CODES
.
Sedibeng District Municipality
Challenges:
q
Powers and functions. Most facilities fall under local municipalities.
q
School
sport is operating in isolation and not with federations.
q
Cross
border issue. Federations are not demarcated according
to local municipality demarcations.
q
Allocation of funding. The province gives money to local without the
district knowing. It must go through district and then to local.
q
Maintenance and upgrading. Provision has been made
for development as a strategy on IDP to assist local municipality on
maintenance.
q
Lack of facilities. Most that have been provided
are overused.
q
Accessibility
of facilities – 99-year lease agreement is dealt with
to have all facilities accessible to all.
Questions
q
Have
you inherited 99-year lease and what is being done
about it?
q
How
do you handle mass participation?
q
Has Emfuleni council got money from Lottery?
q
What about swimming pool in George Thabe? What is happening with Sharpeville? Are people accessing games played
in Vaal?
Response
q
The municipality took a decision with sport officers
and legal advisers to assist them on how to deal with the leased facilities.
q
A
policy has been developed on a maximum of 10 years to
lease starting with 5 years but 10years is only approved on strong adequate
motivation.
q
There
is close relationship with federations working through local structures and
have municipal back up for ward activities.
q
Sum
of R10m is put aside to look at the whole maintenance
at different levels.
q
George
Thabe swimming pool is part of the upgrading plan.
q
A
heritage site is completed with all the history of the
area. Imbizos will be held
for awareness campaign on facilities that are going to be erected.
q
A
request on the table is to provide transport for the people to be able to
access games that are played there.
Gauteng West
The cost for hiring of the facility is
very high. Transport department is not having enough money to pay buses.
Development cannot sustain the programme due to high amount charged for
coaching. Coordinators and committees are working hand in hand with districts.
They could not support and raise money for volleyball to go to national
competition. All schools affiliate to USSASA but struggle to integrate soccer
and rugby on the other side.
Grassroots level support facilities
are needed even if provided with mini courts. They are pleased to have human
movement back to curriculum. With integrated leagues, farms play league on their own because the area is vast. League for volleyball
has a problem with White boys that cannot be integrated to soccer they don’t want to play it. Costs are charged varies at R1 5000
deposit by local town council excluding lights i.e. Mogale
city.
Green Hills charges R3 000 but its not
utilized for school sport. Facilities at school are very good but are
monopolized by schools and some schools don’t want to
share. Three schools benefited from National Lottery and schools built in
squatter camps have no facilities.
Comments from the
delegation
q
There are a number of NGOs that can assist in
training of coaches.
q
DOE
exempt poor kids from paying fees but why is the same not
done in sport?
Gauteng North
It is the biggest geographically with
more farm schools. Opportunities are created for kids to participate but if
they want to go somewhere they need transport that
costs a lot of money. It is impractical to create facility to each farm school
hence the numbers are less than 30 to some schools. Soshanguve
Township need track, fields and basic needs e.g. water, electricity and toilets
are hired during games. City schools are not part of USSASA. When planning for zonal activities one need
facilities.
Gauteng Amateur Boxing
q
It
has been very strong for the past 20 years for juniors and seniors on national
level.
q
Development
is continuous starting at 5 – 6 years old. There are 300 amateur clubs made of 6 regions. 99% of facilities are
privately owned and very few supplied by municipalities but nothing by schools.
q
They
have approached 24 schools with a request to bring boxing in schools only two
replied and they would like to encourage boxing in schools but there are exams
to pass for boxers. Referees have to be qualified strictly. There are not
enough facilities and some clubs applied to join the organization but were
refused hence there is not enough space.
q
Lottery
gave them R42 000 and the relationship with DSR is very healthy. Recreation
centers charge exorbitant fees for hiring their halls. The cost is R500 to hold
tournaments.
Gauteng School Sport – netball
q
The
Chairperson, Ronel Nel
noted that netball league is doing very well in the township but difficult to
motivate them to participate without incentive. They don’t
want to play for USSASA but rather for Love Life. Finals are
played from provincial level.
q
Facilities
are every expensive when having tournaments at +- R1 500.
q
Not
all Model C schools are Whites only anymore and all schools are encouraged to
play netball.
Gauteng North Athletics
q
Everybody
is competing but the problem is lack of facilities and equipment for the
previously disadvantaged.
q
Also transport is needed for the kids to take them to where facilities are
and also sponsorship is needed.
q
Another
big challenge is demarcation.
q
There
are serious problems for fees, traffic officers during road running races.
q
The
organization doesn’t need too much equipment but need
to accommodate athletes but traffic officers don’t pitch up after they have
been paid to prevent accidents for athletes.
q
Table Tennis
q
Nosipho Ntozini is the deputy programme officer of table tennis who took the delegation
through their challenges and successes. People identify table tennis as a minor
sport. They are not working hand in glove with schools.
q
Only
Whites are catered for and townships have no clubs. At
school training is done to organize tournament at local
level because of finances. They suggested that the federation should work
closely with school sport.
q
In
the disadvantaged areas equipment cannot be paid for
and requested the national delegation to focus on table tennis at schools.
q
Lottery
gave them equipment last year and this year also
received money from Lottery. Whites dominate in the board.
q
The
problem is DSR and DOE that identified 4 areas for
development earlier and dropped without reasons.
q
There
are plenty of facilities but there are no tables and boards.
Ekurhuleni and Gauteng Handball
q
Mr. Mahlangu noted that their code experiences a problem of
fees charged for the venues amounting to R3 000 sometimes for indoor
facilities. In Orlando (Soweto) the charge is R1 000.
q
The
club has been developing handball courts and equipment, i.e. balls, poles and
nets.
q
Transport
costs for playing tournaments is expensive.
q
Ekurhuleni have sport councils comprises White committee and
they have meetings at night knowing that people from the townships cannot
attend those meetings due to transport problems.
q
DOE
tried to talk to the committee about development but have
been sent from pillar to post.
q
Lottery
doesn’t give the quality of poles and balls that is
used.
Gauteng School Sport Chess
q
Federations
and clubs get players from school sport. Players must be
moved from school to federations or clubs. The organization suggested
that people who are not working must be thrown out.
q
R10
participation fee is a rule and if fees are high that
means they are just making money and should be addressed or called into order.
Gauteng regional – SAFA
q
The
facility managers do not know their roles and there are no floodlights. The
structure is not involved in mass participation.
q
Change
rooms and toilets are not available for women.
q
The
structure would like USSASA to come to football at ground level. Sanlam has not renewed its contract with Banyana Banyana.
Johannesburg City
Council
q
The
facilities that are rented or for hire are new and
still paying mega bucks for them. Some federations are vandalizing those
facilities. Fees charged are refundable if nothing is broken.
q
Those
fees are used to mark fields and maintain the
facilities as well. Facility management can only maintain a facility and clean
up after finish playing.
14.7 VISIT TO RATANDA
MULTIPURPOSE CENTRE
q
Lesedi councillor Mr. Jonk welcomed the delegation and Chris Wagner from the
department briefed the community about the visit. The participants were also
present to share their own views and challenges with the delegation. Mr. Jonk informed the delegation that volunteers will be trained in the center and get some stipend and they
are planning to engage particularly the youth out of school to play.
q
He
noted a need to engage the existing programmes on how
to utilize and mature the mass participation programme
and identify talents.
q
The
implementation phase is behind due to equipment delaying to reach the
destination. There are five basketball teams in the area. Another challenge is
delay of transfer of conditional grants to pay volunteer stipends but now its been addressed.
The delegation was
impressed about the facility. It was serving the purpose because it was full
with participants playing basketball
although there is no proper equipment. The community is very proud of the
facility and looking after it very well. It was built and opened in 2000 by MEC
of Public Works and Transport.
Comments from the
community
q
Is
the delegation looking at the community of Ratanda
per term or will be coming after 5 years? Can they be
provided with a stadium like Ellis Park?
q
They
requested equipment to play in the center. Mass participation started in April
and if it were not for the lack of facilities the programme would have been developed.
Response for the
delegation
q
The
delay of equipment was resolved immediately when one of the department’s
official called the chief director and was told that
the equipment would be delivered in two days.
q
The
community could request and identify a facility as a need and
also look at the clubs they have or whether the facility will be serving
the purpose of will end up not utilised fully.
q
Municipality
should have IDP where the facility to be built will be initiated.
15. 13 OCTOBER 2004-10-28
15.1 MEETING WITH LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND SPORT
COUNCILS IN WESTBURY
Chris Wagner
welcomed the delegation and gave a brief background of the area. He noted the
following:
The
area is very diverse with a number of hubs.
A
beer hall burnt down some time ago but it was refurbished to be an indoor sport
facility. Some RDP houses are to be built to integrate more community into the
broader one.
The
area has a high rate of unemployment and mass participation programme is trying
to address and reduce the enormous rate of crime and gangsterism.
There
are large sport fields. The area used to be vibrant with hockey leagues but
since the unification of sport some teams merged and vibrancy is gone. Hockey has got a campaign on schools.
An
extra turf issue needs to be addressed because of its high cost for hiring
amounting from R200 to R2 500 and above. The track is made of grass and during
rainy days the usage is zero because of cancellations.
The manager of the
region briefed the delegation on the following:
The
area service 84 facilities, tennis courts, stadiums etc with 59 members of
staff divided into two, half is based in Westbury.
The
area is also experiencing domestic violence, gangsterism,
drugs and nothing has improved so far.
Upgrading
started in the eastern side with paving of the roads and gravelling. The
project uses local contractors and local people in order to create jobs. There
is grading and levelling of ground to start golf driving.
There
is sport committee prioritising on sport issues. Lack of funds is a big
challenge.
A
soccer academy has been started originally from Paris. A delegation has visited
Paris in August to finalize an agreement with them and they promised to assist
as much as possible because they have all the resources. This academy will
serve as a build up for the 2010 preparations. The community likes soccer they
even mentioned that Steven Pienaar who is playing for
Bafana Bafana comes from
the area.
Paris
delegation promised to come and train coaches, assess them and develop soccer
in the academy. Some knowledge has been acquired on how to start an academy but
the problem is finances. The manager of the region is planning to have coffee
shops and saloon to create an atmosphere of family togetherness, boost moral
regeneration and to create spirit of Ubuntu. Coaching
clinics have started and an area for the academy has been identified as well.
An
ex gangster who got death sentence approached the council and requested to
start a chess project. Two outdoor projects are finished in Rival Extension.
The area is very poor with gangsters but when the bricks were delivered not a single one was stolen because the members of the community
are committed and responsible. The area have three informal settlements with
four teams registered and are provided with tracksuits and equipment.
15.2 VISIT TO STANZA
BOPAPE COMMUNITY HALL - MAMELODI
The meeting was at a recreational
centre with the elders who took part in recreational games. The hall was packed
with youth and middle-aged people doing aerobics to keep them fit and healthy.
The elderly people were playing snakes and ladders and other games. The
facility is fully utilised daily. The leader of the delegation addressed them
after encouraging them to carry on with the good work that they were doing. He
gave them opportunity to ask questions and share with the delegation their
challenges and experiences.
Comments from the
masses
The
games start at 09h00 with three quarter of the elderly for indigenous games and
aerobics. They have different clubs as senior citizens but don’t
have equipment but they have applied for equipment through the coordinator.
They
noted that they want to compete with other provinces. They want to compete on
aerobics, volleyball and basketball. They also want to exchange programmes for
the seniors with other provinces. Transport is a problem when they want to go
to Eersterust to play bowling.
Ward
17 has no ground for the youth and they are training under dangerous conditions
presently.
Mamelodi Care for the Aged has frailed people that need transport to reach for the bowling
facility.
Extension
5 has weightlifting but don’t have enough space. They
can get sponsor but the issue of space and equipment is a problem. The only
recognized sport code is soccer while other people would like to play tennis
but it is not available and everybody ends up playing soccer.
The leader of the delegation promised
the community to discuss their challenges with the Chairperson of SALGA, Father
Mkhatshwa for assistance.
15.3 VISIT TO EERSTERUS HUB
It
has tennis court, netball court, soccer grounds with steel movable grand stands.
It
is built next to schools and in the center of the
residential area.
It
is fully utilised by youth, aged and school kids and well fenced with toilets.
15.4 VISIT TO EERSTERUST
CRICKET ACADEMY
This facility was upgraded as part of
the 2003 World Cup Cricket Legacy Project. Lottery gave R500 000 to start and
the end product cost R2m. Tshwane
Municipality is looking well after it. The facility is built in a coloured area
and is accountable to government and the community.
The only problem identified is that it
is not user friendly, i.e. physically challenged people are not catered for in
the entrance. The facility assists schools for coaching, nutrition programmes
and eye testing. 6 kids are staying in the residence
and provided with three meals a day. There are 100 kids from Mamelodi on the programme and 7
are coming from the Centre of Excellence. They are trained for batting and
coaching but looking at identifying spinners.
The facility was an initiative of the
community and national government embraced it to be duplicated around the
country. The department of Sport also gave them mobile gyms. The facility
caters for multicoded sport.
15.5 VISIT TO THE HIGH PERFORMANCE CENTRE - UNIVERSITY
OF PRETORIA
Kobus van der Walt welcomed the delegation and briefed them on the
programmes run by the centre. The centre was strategically planned in 2000 as
the high performance centre to position the university to the community around.
It was built to play a role as partner to sport that was planned by the former
National Sport Council (NSC) together with provincial academies. The university
is an infrastructure to support those academies with national federations and
school kids and work closely with SRSA and NOCSA. 65
participants contributed to national sport fraternity that represents national
colours to focus on long-term athlete development.
The Managing Director of the centre
introduced the delegation to Basetsana team and 4 Black swimmers. He informed the delegation that the main focus is to develop champions. The centre is divided
into two entities, i.e high performance training and
commercial entity. The centre also trains national and international teams in
the gym. It has catered for 47 international teams for the preparations of
Olympics and for other training camps. Some teams even stay for few months.
He noted that academies are not
interested in potential but believe in long term development .e.g systematic development at the right age, go through specific
stages, look after life skills, tuition and scientific. The centre needs to
benchmark in order to win medals. It also caters for accommodation and look
after the athletes’ nutrition. They have their own school i.e. business and
school curriculum from Grade 4 to 12. Sport science, medical
support and physical conditioning according to their age with 24 hour and 365
days programmes. A number of kids who left with potential because the
class have 4 – 15 kids not more. The centre is
striving to do better than yesterday and have already achieved a lot.
Mr. Komphela
thanked them and told them of the delegation’s pride about the centre and they
have seen. The questions were as to what extent are their prepared to move
beyond the borders of South Africa, for an example, Zimbabwe, Zambia etc
especially the SADC region.
Their response was that they cater for
African Countries e.g. Kenya teams and others for boxing, soccer academy have
Cameroon and other. Also a meeting of SADC Zone VI
will be held in the centre.
The delegation was delighted that
sport is beginning to take shape and its starting to
build the nation together. He commended the enthusiasm shown by the managers in
the HPC and see it as a greater role for the
academies. The manager promised to work closely with the Committee and the
delegation promised to come back and tour the whole centre.
The next visit was supposed to be in
the offices of SAFA in Johannesburg but SAFA was not prepared to meet with the
delegation. The Committee concluded its oversight.
16. FINDINGS
The Committee
identified the following issues:
Lack of national policy on school sport.
Patriotism
vs sterling pound - The clubs that have more crowds
than the national team.
What can be done to address this issue?
High expectation and
demand on sport facilities for the rural areas even if its open grounds.
Glenmore in Mpumalanga does not have water or sanitation and not
possible to have toilets in the facilities.
q
The communities argue that BSRP created jobs
and what is MIG going to provide?
q Workshop should be
conducted to clarify issues on sport structures in the province. The readiness of the province for 2010 Soccer World Cup.
Monitoring and addressing municipalities that are not concentrating to all
sport codes but soccer only.
q Clarity
on the placement of USSASA. Final negotiations should be discussed with the
stakeholders. Fees paid by school affiliated to USSASA and the role of USSASA
in relation to former Model C schools that are not participating in
competitions or not affiliated to USSASA.
q Accessibility
of Lottery Fund and the issues of the two-year audited statement to be looked
at seriously.
q Re-introduction
or activation of sport councils in some provinces and information on why they
were established and what their responsibilities are.
q Inclusion
of sport as part of education curriculum.
q Lack
of affordable transport for players to attend games or matches within the
provinces.
q Mechanism should
be devised to track down developed players and be monitored.
A database should be available.
q Less involvement of teachers to identify
talents at schools during physical education due to abolition of physical
education and Wednesday matches.
q Lack of
transformation programmes, development programmes and succession plans for
building young teams visible should not be debated in the boardrooms and not
implemented.
q Not enough
developed programmes on mass participation and school sport.
q All municipalities
want to have stadium built or renovated in their areas.
q Not
enough training for coaches and referees.
q Lack
of information sharing amongst federations, stakeholders and NGOs.
q Women sport not
active in the provinces.
q Racial
tensions between different sport codes.
q Cross border issue
q Challenges
with karate, cricket and rugby.
q The existence of
racial tension in certain sporting codes and the continuing reluctance of
certain former ‘Model C’ schools to become affiliated to USSASA.
17. RECOMMENDATIONS
q Finalisation of
the Transformation Charter on Sport by Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA)
in order to provide a blueprint for South African sport at national, provincial
and local levels.
q The Standing
Committee on Sport in the provinces are encouraged to embark on oversight
visits in their respective provinces and to build strong relationships with
local municipalities.
q Activating and
instituting local sport councils in municipalities to serve as integral
consultative forums of the community in order to inform municipal priorities
and create a sense of local ownership.
q The Lottery
Distribution Agency for sport must embark on a public education campaign to
familiarise communities on the guidelines and requirements for accessing the
fund. The stringent requirements of the distribution agency must be reviewed in
order to allow for greater access and to prevent unallocated funds to be
returned to the National Treasury. The 10% allocation to sport by National
Lottery must be reviewed; an increase in allocation to 20% is proposed in order
to meet the huge developmental challenges in sport.
q The 2010 Soccer
World Cup governance structure must be finalised as a matter of urgency.
Currently, local authorities and provinces have high expectations to host World
Cup matches and embarked on various organisational and logistical initiatives which are uncoordinated and confusing.
q SRSA must enter
into negotiations with the Department of Mineral and Energy Affairs and reach
agreement on the possible utilisation of sport facilities and properties owned
by mining companies, by local communities.
q The exorbitant
fees charged by local municipalities for utilisation of facilities, even those
built by SRSA, is a major source of concern. Municipalities must review their
hiring fees structure in order to improve accessibility and usage.
q Municipalities are
also called upon to review long-term leases (i.e. 99-year, 50-year, etc)
granted to private clubs before the 1997 Constitution of the Republic of South
Africa was adopted.
q SRSA must provide
clarity on the future model for school sport in South Africa and the role of
school sport organisations (e.g. USSASA) in sport.
q There is
uncertainty on the possible effect the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG)
will have on the provision of sport facilities. According to stakeholders, The
Building for Sport and Recreation Programme (BSRP) of SRSA created jobs in
local communities while at the same time providing much needed facilities. In
order to continue the aims and objectives of the BSRP it is recommended that
funds earmarked for sport facility development in MIG be ring fenced for that
specific purpose.
q Federations must
be urged to demarcate their boundaries according to the political boundaries of
the country and align their structures and operations accordingly.
Report to be
considered.
APPENDIX 1
Abbreviations:
BSRP – Building for Sport and Recreation Programme
DOE - Department of Education
DSR – Department of Sport and Recreation
DISSA – Disability Sport South Africa
GDE - Gauteng
Department of Education
GSS – Gauteng
School Sport
IDP – Integrated Development Programme
LIPRUSSA – Limpopo
United School Sport Association
LSEN – Learners with special needs
MIG - Municipal Infrastructure Grant
MOU – Memorandum of Understanding
MUSSA - Mpumalanga
United School Sport Association
PSL – Premier Soccer League
SACGA – South African Commonwealth Games
Association
SARFU - South African Rugby Football Union
SASC – South African Sports Commission
SASSU – South African School Sport Union
SAWSRA -
South African Women Sport and Recreation Association
SCORE – Sports Coaches Outreach
SRSA – Sport and Recreation South Africa
USSASA – United School Sport Association
of South Africa
SAFA – South African Football Association
SASCOC – South
African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee.