PRESENTATION TO PARLIAMENT: IN TERMS OF SECTIONS 56(D) AND 69 (D) OF THE
CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH AFRICA:
Political interference in sport through the agency of the National Sport and
Recreation Amendment Bill (2006)
Deeply aware of the fact that a clear distinction between the organs of state
and the organs of civil society is a fundamental requirement for the existence
of a mature democracy;
In recognition of the fact that the Constitution of the Republic of
South Africa (No. 108 of 1996), in Sections 239 & 31, differentiates
between organs of the state and organs of civil society;
We note with concern the proposed powers that will be bestowed on the
Minister of port by the National Sport and Recreation Amendment Bill (2006) to
intervene in the affairs of civil sporting bodies. A weakening of the
separation between the organs of state and the organs of civil society holds a
direct threat to democracy.
In acknowledgement of the fundamental values contained in the Olympic
Charter to combat political exploitation of sport (Olympic Charter: section
2.10) and also to combat all forms of discrimination in sport (Olympic Charter:
section 3.2);
Profoundly aware of the fact that the international soccer governing
body FIFA expelled Greece from international soccer on July 3rd,
2006 due to interference by the country's government in sport, at which time
AFA made it clear that soccer structures were the only ones who had the
authority to decide on soccer matters, independent of government interference;
We note with concern that interference by the South African government
in sport, which will be made possible by the National Sport and Recreation
Amendment Bill (2006), violates the charters of international sporting
federations and consequently puts South Africa's future participation in
international sport at risk. In the light of South Africa's successful bid to
stage to 2010 Soccer World Cup, and other benefits that the country derives
from participation in international sport, any action that imperils such
international participation is not in the interest of anyone in South Africa.
We therefore petition the honourable parliament, in terms of Sections 56(d) and
69 of the van die Constitution, to resolve:
·
That all political interference in South African sport is to cease; and
·
That the National Sport and Recreation Amendment Bill (2006) is amended
to prohibit government interference in sport.