Madam Speaker
Honorable members
By its very nature Cultural Affairs and Sport deals with the growth and upliftment of our people. This is in line with the Western Cape Government's vision of iKapa elihlumayo - Die Kaap wat Groei - a growing Cape. To do so, we need to shake the roots of our foundation. Today I will show you that through our commitment to transformation how my department and I have transformed culture and sport and how we will continue in our efforts for the benefit of all the people of this province.
Maar soos die ou mense altyd gesê het: "Vee eers voor jou eie deur!" En ek het weer eens geluister en het sommer hier in my Departement begin.
I took over this Department 18 months ago and since the establishment of the new Department of Cultural Affairs, Sport and Recreation in August last year my top management structure has already been dramatically changed. So let me introduce to you my new team. Rod Solomons took over as Head of Department, Bridget Bam joined as Chief Director: Corporate Services and Abdool Assim, Director: Finance. Other new faces are TJ Kambule, Director: Sport & Recreation and then we have Joe Carrim, Deputy Director: School Sport. Also part of my team is our faithful Hannetjie du Preez, Chief Director: Cultural Affairs, and stalwart Johan Swiegelaar, Director Library Services and Eureka Barnard in charge of Museum Services. We are still in the process of filling the last two of our senior management posts.
Our new Department integrates cultural services, museums, heritage, libraries, sport and recreation. We want to produce programmes that promote the holistic development of individuals and communities. I am fortunate to be tasked with developing the physical and psychological well being of our people, especially the youth.
May I take this opportunity to thank my entire team for the manner in which they assisted me in driving and implementing my vision during this exciting yet challenging period.
With a new structure comes a new image. Today we also unveil a new logo, which captures our philosophy of celebrating the talents of our people through culture and sport. It is about our people rising up to take their rightful place freely and positively.
Madam Speaker, my portion of the provincial budget amounts to R137, 4 million. We are indeed grateful for this.
And as in the past, we will continue to perform magic with this allocation. Miskien het dit iets te doen met die feit dat magic onder Performing Arts val binne ons Kultuurdiens-komponent. But as you will see throughout my speech, we have already done so and accepted the challenge to continue doing so.
However, the work of the Department would not have been successful without our partners in service delivery. Here I refer to the sport councils and federations, the Cultural Commission, the Language Committee, Heritage Western Cape, national and local government as well as you, my colleagues. I want to thank all of you.
If I could indulge a special mention it would be to the volunteers. They are our lifeblood. The energy, skills and commitment displayed by these volunteers during the successful hosting of the Cricket World Cup is just one example of their commitment.
I would also like to extend a special word of thanks to my colleague Ebrahim Rasool for the key role he played in giving financial support for key departmental projects. I would also like to thank the portfolio committee responsible for key policy changes and in particular, School Sport.
Transformation
I am also committed to transforming the demographic profile throughout my Department. An example is Museum Services, where 15 new appointments were made. But let me break this down for you: 2 black females, 2 black males, 4 coloured females, 3 coloured males, 3 white females and 1 white male.
In line with this commitment, we in sport hosted a successful Transformation Indaba with over 200 delegates representing all provincial sport federations and associations. This was done to provide a framework to guide, monitor and evaluate transformation in sport. The Indaba delegates unanimously endorsed the development of a Transformation Charter for sport. This will give rise to the Western Cape Sport and Recreation Act that we are presently working on. This Act will ensure transformation of sport and recreation in this province. The first draft of this Act will be available for public comment within the next few months.
Through this landmark legislation, my Department will safeguard the democratic gains of the past decade. We will ensure that our sport organisations do not abandon this transformation path. To give effect to the decisions taken at the Indaba where I promised to establish a transformation and dispute resolution unit, I am pleased to announce that this unit will come into being by September this year.
Klipfontein Corridor
You have heard my colleague the Minister of Transport, speak about investment and the development of the Klipfontein Corridor in Athlone.
Let me remind you of the legacy, which Athlone has left us - steeped in our political history of defiance against the wrongs of the past. Onthou julle nog Die Trojan Horse? And the march to Pollsmoor, which started out of Athlone? It is also there where Ashley Kriel, Anton Frans, Colleen Williams and Robert Waterwhitch died.
Speaker, this community has suffered so much and therefore deserves something more. We want to say to this community that the tide has so changed in the Western Cape that for the first time, the official Freedom Day celebration took place at Vygie Kraal - just down the road from Athlone Stadium - and was attended by over 10 thousand people.
Therefore my Sport Department's close involvement with developing Athlone Stadium as a world-class venue is critical. We hosted the Bafana Bafana - Jamaica banquet on 29 April this year and the national launch of the SAFA 2010 Bid.
The match between Bafana Bafana and Jamaica gave this province 45 minutes of uninterrupted marketing and television exposure throughout the African Continent, commencing with my welcome message to guests and viewers. This joint venture with my department, the City of Cape Town, the 2010 Bid Company and various sponsors guaranteed a sell-out event that not only positively impacted the Bid, but also did our country and province proud.
Therefore we want to establish Cape Town and especially Athlone as soccer city. We are currently in phase 1 of 4 phases and R88 million is still required to complete the Athlone Stadium to be ready for the World Cup in 2010. I am strongly of the opinion that Provincial Government needs to take the lead in contributing towards the completion of the Stadium. This is important if the Western Cape wants to host the opening ceremony, opening match and a semi-final. Our investment will ensure that we have a top class soccer venue right here in our city.
Today I am pleased to announce that in order to make Athlone Cape Town's soccer city and home of socctskills and commitment er, I am prepared to take at least 25 percent from the Building Sport and Recreation Project funds for the completion of the Stadium. I call and challenge the private sector to show us their commitment and support for its completion.
Furthermore two of Cape Town's top soccer teams are still without major sponsors. For the first time the Absa Cup final was played by two Cape teams. And what a marvellous match that was! The stands were packed! However, is it not disappointing that teams like Santos and Hellenic do not even have a major sponsor? Speaker, I am actively pursuing companies in the private sector to sponsor the two teams and soon I believe an announcement can be made in this regard.
Staying on the Klipfontein Corridor, with regards to culture, my Department will become actively involved in restoring the Joseph Stone Auditorium to its fullest potential for the benefit of our people. We will be targeting it as an area for craft markets and other cultural activities. Discussions will start immediately with management in this regard. Once again I invite the private sector to form partnerships with us and contribute to not only the rebuilding of an institution, but to the overall upliftment of the people in the Western Cape.
Entrenching the Western Cape as a Global Sporting and Cultural Venue
Culture, sport and recreation are fundamental to our economic activity - they have universal tourism appeal. By staging major events we promote tourism, stimulate economic growth and create jobs for our people.
My Department is also committed to developing local events into major events. Take the Bayhill Cup for example, which was held in Belhar - a local community event that is now an international event, showcasing football talent on the continent.
During this financial year we already hosted a significant number of events. It is our mission to make Cape Town and the Western Cape the cultural tourism destination, especially around Christmas through to Tweede Nuwejaar. We have allocated R3 million to ensure the success of the different events taking place during this period. Some of the beneficiaries are Christmas bands R250 000; Malay Choirs R250 000; die Klopse R500 000 and Mass Choirs R250 000. Because of the R3 million investment, we have been able to attract additional money from the private sector and the Lotto that could amount to approximately R10 million.
Furthermore my Department will be integrally involved in the hosting of the following events:
- For the first time the North Sea Jazz Festival will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. The festival has been identified as part of our cultural tourism strategy. My Department in conjunction with other Departments will be involved here.
- We will also provide support to the Bookish Festival - a festival of writers from across Africa and the world - which takes place in April next year.
- Next month Cape Town will host Tottenham Hotspur and Orlando Pirates as part of the 2010 Bid and once again my Department will be assisting.
- The Presidents Cup showcasing the world's best golfers will take place in November in George where, I believe, our President Thabo Mbeki will be one of the players.
Funding Policy
I am pleased to announce that our cultural funding policy will radically change. I will develop a policy that will ensure wider accessibility and inclusivity for all our people throughout this province.
This brings me to the Lottery Fund. But before I speak about this I would like to acknowledge the passing of Kedi Tshoma. Kedi was responsible for the distribution of the Lotto funds. Her tireless efforts are appreciated and will be sadly missed.
The Western Cape sport and recreation fraternity has to date benefited from this much-needed alternative source of funding. In this financial year alone, R63 million of the fund was given to us in the tskills and commitment Western Cape.
Further I want to announce that it was decided that in the future all applications for Lotto money would have to carry my endorsement for consideration by the National Lottery.
Benevolent Fund
Soos William Shakespeare so mooi gesê het: "If music be the food of life, play on." I am indeed proud to announce that this Department will investigate the establishment of a Benevolent Fund for musicians who have become destitute after their careers have ended or who have died as paupers. I remember Anneline Malebo from the group Joy who gave us that famous song Paradise Road and artists like Basil Mannenberg Coetzee - icons in this country. We have to look after our artists, Madam Speaker. I will host an annual music event to raise even more money for this fund and urge the private sector to get involved.
South African Games
We are in the process of preparing Team Western Cape for participation in the SA Games in East London in 2004. We will once again ensure that raw talent from our communities gets exposed to top-flight competition and we believe that through this experience they will gain the confidence to excel.
School Sport
Madam Speaker, I would like to congratulate the Cabinet for the bold decision to adopt the School Sport policy. The placement of School Sport has been an ongoing national debate since 1996. Through my efforts the Western Cape took the lead in being the first province in the country to locate school sport in the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport.
In this way we will:
- provide positive alternatives to anti-social behaviour, particularly among our youth, to improve safety and security in our communities;
- provide opportunities for sport for all the learners within the province to improve the health and welfare of our citizens;
- provide the required stepping stone for our youth towards the realization of their full potential.
I am happy to report that the Sport Stepping Stones (SSS) programme has been rolled out in Khayelitsha, Mbekweni in Paarl, Hanover Park, Elsies River, Bonteheuwel, Phillipi and Mannenberg. The Bonteheuwel community can now marvel at the footballing skills and flair of our young girls. 13 Schools in Bonteheuwel now proudly pit their skills in a girls' league. The SSS programme has grown to the extent where we are now servicing 117 000 learners at 125 schools. The numbers of sports assistants have now increased to 187. And these assistants were all previously unemployed.
Furthermore I am pleased to announce that we will now be extending the SSS programme to the Lavender Hill, Steenberg, Cafda and Retreat areas.
The girls' rugby teams in the Mitchell's Plain area highlighted the potential for growth in this sport. The WP Rugby will now incorporate these teams in their "Women in Sport" programme. This programme received substantial coverage due to the fact that some of these young women were previously involved in gang related activities.
Recognising the challenge that awaits us, my Department and I are committed to ensure that we do not fail the learners of the urban and rural areas in the Western Cape. With the resources available to this component we are confident that we will be able to provide a platform for future sport stars, officials and leaders.
Sport school
With regard to the establishment of a school for sport I am happy to announce that the investigation into this is complete. The report and its findings will now be unpacked and by the end of this year, I will be able to make a further announcement about the establishment of a Sport School in the Western Cape.
Integrating communities
The Ministry and the Department recognise that our communities and our cities remain racially divided. As you know sport and culture is a mechanism for transformation of our society. Therefore we commit ourselves to ensuring that our programmes atskills and commitment nd delivery of projects contribute to integration.
Once again it gives me great pleasure to announce that I have set aside R3, 5 million from the Building for Sport and Recreation Project to build a new outdoor-indoor sport complex between Khayelitsha and Mitchell's Plain. This facility will ensure that these communities are drawn closer and can play together. Certainly a much needed facility for this area!
School Playing Fields
School sport is now a function within my Department. To give maximum effect to this function we need to be able to use existing schools' playing fields. Already federations have expressed an interest to develop and use these facilities.
Madam Speaker, I have already contacted the relevant departments and have put this process in motion.
Fallen Heroes
In the future we will acknowledge our fallen heroes. Programmes will be named after heroes who have made positive contributions to where we are today. In future the Community Games, the Summer and Winter Games and the Youth Camps will be known as the Oliver Tambo Community Games, Hassan Howa Summer Games, the Steve Tshwete Winter Games and the Ashley Kriel Youth Camps, respectively.
Events and Achievements
Despite our limited budget during the past year we are still able to single out several highly successful stories of which I will mention a few:
- Through the Language Committee we encouraged inclusivity by promoting effective communication. Activities included a Xhosa Awareness Week, an Afrikaans-language day and a Sign Language seminar.
- A series of creative writing workshops were held in the three official languages to encourage people to take pride and write in their mother tongue. A number of the workshops were specifically aimed at the Deaf community by making use of Sign Language interpreters.
- A high-profile ceremony was held during which provincial Ministers and Heads of Departments pledged their commitment to serving the people of the Western Cape in the official language of their choice.
- A cost analysis on the implementation of the Language Policy has been completed. This report will be presented to Cabinet later this year.
- The Language Committee in collaboration with Radio 786 launched a series of programmes to teach locals basic communication skills in Xhosa.
- The Western Cape currently renders a service to 317 affiliated community libraries and depots. 28% of the population of the Western Cape are registered library users.
- Library Services continues to distribute all available public awareness material on HIV/AIDS to our affiliated libraries.
- Museum Services is managing the completion of the new exhibition "Disease and history" at the Cape Medical Museum and a new travelling exhibition on infectious diseases and HIV/AIDS.
- Last year our affiliated museums drew just under a million visitors.
- On my recommendation the Cultural Commission presented 531 ad hoc-projects in both rural and urban communities to the amount of R2, 45 million. These programmes focussed on building young people's capacity to make informed choices and means to address issues such as HIV/AIDS, unemployment and poverty.
- As a department we also have six cultural camping centres where cultural programmes were presented to more than 466 organisations and accommodated over 30 607 persons.
- We gave financial support to the Cape Craft and Design Institute to ensure that crafters are given the same opportunites as mainstream artists.
- The Western Cape Sport Academy (WECSA) commenced operations in July last year under the management of Deborah Hoare. The Academy offers coaching and support services to elite athletes across the Western Cape. More than 70% of these athletes are from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. If our athletes are to be competititskills and commitment ve at an international level, they must be provided with world-class support services to enable them to fulfil their potential.
- Last month I opened a multi-purpose facility in Zoar and a rugby field in Gamka Oos also in the Klein Karoo.
- The Western Cape was the first province in the country to host a "Women in Sport" workshop at UWC last month where it was decided that a six-member advisory board be appointed to advise my department on gender mainstreaming.
- support amounting to R7, 2 million was also made available to the classical performing arts. Beneficiaries included the JazzArt Dance Company, the Baxter Theatre, the Cape Town City Ballet Company, the Cape Town Opera Company and the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra.
