It is indeed a pleasure to be in the midst of people who share the vision of the great heights that can be attained as an individual, a community and even as a nation through sport.
Sport has the unique ability to effect transformation/change and unite a people in an enjoyable, unobtrusive and sustainable manner. It also has the unique ability to uplift our communities because through sport we are able to keep our youth off the streets, each one has the opportunity of uncovering or developing some or other talent or skill and we are able to create a sense of pride and belonging. In terms of the latter we can see what happens to South Africans when a World Cup tournament is being played. It happened with the '95 Rugby World Cup, the 2003 Cricket World Cup; the African Cup of Nations; our successful 2010 Soccer World Cup. On the other side of the scale, even the unsuccessful 2004 Olympic and the 2006 Soccer World Cup bids impacted on our society.
However, in using sport to bring about positive change, we have to ensure that the benefits filter down to everyone. And it is in this regard that government have a particularly important role to play because if it is a star that is born, then we have to ensure that he or she becomes a role model for younger generations and that through their success, others can also be motivated to achieve.
It is broadly accepted that Sport is a vehicle that transcends all boundaries, particularly race, class and religion. There are many that hold the view that politics and sport must be separated. I wish to submit that this is an utopian dream that will never realise, all over the world! Lately sport has been central to a range of racial disputes and in some cases even fuelled racial tensions in our communities. This begs a number of questions: Is it because our sport development system lacks substance? Is it because our governance systems are not in place, is it part of the growing pains towards that "normal society" we wish to have?. Whatever the reasons are our youth particularly the learners not entitled to a life of varied and rich experiences? Is it government's responsibility to design appropriate solutions and provide an enabling environment? If one follows an approach of a minimalist State then the argument will be hands-off government! However, if you believe that being able to play sport is a basic human right then you would expect government to play its rightful role.
So as we deliberate during this Indaba we need not be scared of entering un-chartered waters. There is a need for openness, boldness and a clear understanding of the central goal. A goal that clearly places people first on our road to create a better life for all! We must know that it is up to us to make a realistic case for sport and recreation.
A case that says unequivocally that sport does indeed transcend all barriers and can be used to assist us to address the many challenges facing us as a society.
The role that sport plays in addressing social issues crime, unemployment and generally the building of human and social capital needs greater emphasis. Sport must once again contribute meaningfully to realize broad governmental and societal objectives.
Government involvement in Sport and Recreation is not unique to South Africa and is a world-wide phenomenon in spite of protestations to the contrary. If you ask one of the so-called top sporting nations and a leading member of the Commonwealth, Australia about how they would fare without government support and involvement then you will hear they will be in the doldrums without it. Their government is integrally involved in the sport set-up and use sport as a major tool to achieve national economic and social imperatives.
Our Government is under an obligation to be involved in sport and recreation matters, by no less than the Constitution of this country. It is thus a constitutional imperative for government (all spheres) to provide sport and recreation services to our communities and thus be involved in this area of our PEOPLE'S lives. Schedules 4 and 5 of said Constitution is quite clear about this. The last I heard we were a constitutional democracy who take our marching orders as a nation from our Constitution!
Not unlike the process of overall social transformation, a number of criticisms and concerns have been raised in many quarters about the content, pace, direction and depth of sports transformation since 1994. Government CANNOT be a spectator in this regard; our people will NOT accept it. Who do people confront when there are problems in sport or if the teams are not representative? The Minister or MEC's of sport with a refrain of what are you going to do about it.
This is a matter that dominates the sporting scene in South Africa and it also periodically rears its head in very dramatic fashion as evidenced by the decision of the UCBSA to shift its focus on transformation and the racism saga involving SARFU, Quentin Davids and Geo Cronjé; the Ellis Park disasters or so-called referee scandals in football; etc. When these things happen who do people look up to try and deal with these problems, you guessed correct, government.
There are numerous other examples where the problems in sport, particularly sports transformation has dominated the national debate and where the Minister of Sport and Recreation, or MEC's in particular, has had to intervene in very public and even forceful ways to ensure that the transformation process of a particular sport is kept on track or the relevant problems resolved.
While this kind of action by the Sport and Recreation Minister and Provincial MEC's is in line with its policy-making, co-ordination and facilitation role, it does not present an ideal or even preferred scenario or context within which sports transformation must happen in South Africa.
In other words, genuine and thoroughgoing sports transformation will only work if it becomes an integral part of the programmes and vision of the individual federations that govern and regulate each sporting code.
This issue points towards the key motivation for the development of a Sports Transformation Charter that can provide the necessary enabling framework for the transformation of sport in our country. In other words, the major concern is not necessarily that transformation of sport is not happening. Quite clearly it is (to various degrees of success, depending on the Federation) but the problem is about the pace, content and depth of the process.
The point that I wish to make is this: as a government we are in a contract with our people to deliver in a real sense so that we can make a practical difference in their lives. Even when it comes to the sports arena. Thus, the time for talking will have to be over because as has been shown in various communities all over our country our people's patience is starting to run out when it comes to service delivery.
Let me talk quickly about the importance of the FIFA World Cup 2010 from a government perspective. In planning for this event we have to ensure that the benefits, namely, additional and improved world class facilities, particularly sport fields, benefit as many people as possible, especially those who have been historically disadvantaged. Furthermore, there will be a huge number of spin-offs for the economy, especially if one considers the influx of foreigners and the foreign currency that will be spent. Government together with the LOC will have to ensure that every cost will be an investment with huge returns for every South African.
I briefly want to talk about why there is a need for co-operation between government and civil society, because there is no way that government can go it alone or just impose its will on people or civil society ( meaning federations) can just do their own thing.
At our last few TIC's this issue has come up quite regularly. All the Provinces and National government agreed that a co-operative relationship between NATIONAL GOVERNMENT; PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT; and LOCAL AUTHORITIES is vital. I wish to add that; Sport Federations; and all those involved in the education sector (including teachers; governing bodies and trade unions) also have key roles to play in this regard. The one needs the other and we must use our human and financial resources in cleverer ways.
Government and civil society will then be able to act in a unified and strategic fashion to improve service delivery. Our collective view is that such a collaborative approach would also inculcate a better interaction between the three spheres of government. If we work together we would then be able to act in a unified and strategic fashion to improve our sport landscape and the quality of life of our people.
South African sport is once again entering an exciting phase. The dawn of SASCOC is upon us as we seek to integrate our efforts for greater success. It is assumed that the reduction of structures will give greater impetus, visibility and allow for greater marketing opportunities for a real "Team SA" brand. The big question is whether we are ready for a paradigm shift and whether we will all readily commit during uncertain times. It is hoped that this streamlined approach will signal the beginning of a competitive but transformed sporting nation. Watch this space ?
Finally, let me remind you that the UN declared this to be the year of Physical Education and Sport. We need to make use of this opportunity to position sport and recreation more forcefully onto the national societal agenda.
I trust the deliberations will be successful and that we will give effect to many of the decisions reached.
Thank you
