Sport and Recreation South Africa budget: briefing

Meeting report

EDUCATION AND RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE
2 April 2003
SPORT AND RECREATION SOUTH AFRICA BUDGET: BRIEFING

Chairperson: Mr D Kgware

Documents handed out:
Sport and Recreation South Africa Powerpoint Presentation

SUMMARY
The Committee was briefed by Sport and Recreation South Africa on objectives, priorities and functions. Issues discussed included the structure, financial and legal matters and project facilitation. Reference was made to the various achievements over the past financial year and recent years. The Committee offered their assistance in their capacity as a Select Committee. Concerns were raised about the maintenance of facilities and the involvement of women, the disabled and the elderly in programmes of participation.

MINUTES
Sport and Recreation of South Africa Briefing
Mr Greg Fredericks, Director: Funding, Policy, Monitoring and International Liaison, Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) referred to the objectives of SRSA. He mentioned increased participation in sports, raising the profile of SRSA, more access to facilities and bringing more international events to the country. Programme 3: Building for Sport and Recreation (BSR) was driven from the Poverty Fund and if it were to end, there would be serious backlogs in communities.

SRSA priorities included streamlining the role of stakeholders, increasing human resources capacity, talent identification as well as affirmative action and international relations policy. There was correlation between the priorities of government and SRSA. Mr Pango, heading the BSR programme, encouraged that facilities be named after fallen heroes. Further priorities included HIV/AIDS awareness, moral regeneration and the marketing of South Africa.

Regarding functions, Mr Fredericks said that SRSA played a managing role and procured resources from abroad. There was sometimes confusion as to the roles of SRSA and the South African Sports Commission (SASC). The vision of SRSA was to be most efficient and transparent Department to facilitate the delivery of sports to the people. SRSA operated according to Programme 1 :Administration, Programme 2: Funding, Policy and Liaison and Programme 3: Building for Sport and Recreation - BSR.

Ms Cloete, SRSA Financial Manager, referred to the last financial year's Budget and said that R160 million was allocated at the beginning of the said year. Certain commitments could not be met and so the funds were rolled over to the following year. The Department of Trade and Industry donated R12.5 million to SRSA for the convening of cricket programmes. Four million rands had not been utilised and invoices not yet returned had been rolled over to the following year.

Programme 1: Legal Services
Mr Gideon Boshoff, from SRSA's legal services expanded on legal issues. He mentioned the National Sports and Recreation Act and the Boxing and Wrestling Control Amendment Bill. The latter was described as dealing with provincial boxing structures. The SASC Amendment Bill was put on hold as the Ministerial Task Team reports were still outstanding. He referred to School Sports Bill being in its final stages after discussion with the Department of Education. South African Boxing Amendment Bill had been withdrawn as it was a "money bill" and could therefore not be initiated by SRSA. Mr Boshoff also spoke with regard to finalising boxing regulations, Hosting and Bidding for International Events efforts as well as the National Colours Regulations. SASC was in the process of finalising the two drafts as well as the interim draft of the Foreign Control Regulations, bills relating to kickboxing and ultimate fighting. Bills relating to women and disabled sportspersons were in the initial stages.

Mr Fredericks expanded on the concept behind Foreign Control Regulations. Home Affairs experienced problems with foreigners who entered the country under the guise of sport and then disappeared. There was no system to detect them. He suggested a system whereby, upon applying for a permit, applicants must pay a deposit. A close relationship should be fostered with Home Affairs to implement such a system because foreigners might possess skills that could be employed and so make a contribution towards development. Both the South African Football Association (SAFA) and Professional Soccer League (PSL) welcomed such a system.

Programme 2: Funding, Policy and Liaison
Mr Fredericks stated that Programme 2 was sub-divided into Policy and Monitoring, Financial Support and Monitoring and Liaison. On achievements, there was a new funding policy in place, a revised White Paper, existing and operating national federations and a 26 - series television programme called Siyadlala. SRSA had also been a funder to the Team South Africa to the Commonwealth Games and had convened a Hosting and Bidding conference. He spoke on the Young Champions programme and said that one such programme would be initiated in Khayelitsha on 12 April 2003.

There were a number of international contacts made with inter alia Algeria, Cuba, the Netherlands and China, as well as the processing of a number of work-permits for various codes. Mr Fredericks referred to the National Co-ordination Committee (NATCCOM) whereby all Committees were brought together to evaluate the roles of other Departments in assisting SRSA.

Concerning national federations, money was allocated to those federations that would most likely produce medal-winning sports persons. SRSA planned to partner 30 such federations. With regard to policy, Mr Fredericks spoke on the revised White Paper, moral regeneration, transformation in terms of performance agreements and HIV/AIDS awareness. Liaison was discussed and sports tourism and increasing foreign participation was mentioned. African countries were given assistance in keeping with the premises of New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). SRSA should make its impact felt on the economy and on the country's GDP.

Programme 3: Building for Sport and Recreation
Mr Pango stated that the aims were to build multi-purpose sports and recreation facilities, address job creation and alleviate poverty. Local government officials were trained to operate and maintain facilities. The impending financial year would see the construction of 113 facilities all over the country. Community Sports Councils had been established with the focus on rural poverty. Project identification occurred through an Integrated Development Plan (IDP) at local level.

The MEC at provincial level approved the project and the Minister's approval at national level was then required. Mr Pango presented a status report about the facilities built and said that the Community Sports Councils were established before facilities were erected. The ownership element had to be there to prevent vandalism. Construction would begin in June this year, but that BSR as a whole would end in May 2004. He emphasised the importance of the programme because sport did not enjoy priority at local level. The programme had to be continued for a greater impact. Mr Pango also spoke on Project Handovers to Sports Councils and the importance of establishing a Sports Trust to equip facilities so that the poor would have access to it.

Ms Cloete added that the termination of the BSR programme would result in an increase in the baseline allocation.

Discussion
Ms Ntlabati (ANC) commended SRSA on their presentation and said that facilities were opened in many rural areas, employing people and improving infrastructure. The elderly and women should be more involved in all programmes. Efforts made so far were impressive and she would endorse and support any further ventures by SRSA as she wanted to give back to the Free State. Sport was the most unifying agent.

The Chair commented on the moral regeneration programme and said that SRSA should enjoy the input of the Committee. Issues should be discussed at in-house meetings and a document should be drafted to assist. He charged Ms Ntlabati with the responsibility.

Mr Horne (NNP) asked about a programme that would ensure that facilities were maintained.

Mr Zulu (ANC) asked about monitoring at local level where more power was vested with regard to the building of facilities and the allocation of funds. Concern were raised about the lack of equipment at facilities. He referred to the activities like Heritage Day programmes and asked why these were not prevalent in rural communities.

Ms Gouws (DP) pointed out that eliminating Physical Education from schools had negative consequences. Building sports facilities was commendable, but that the focus should be on schools so as to cultivate a sporting culture. She mentioned the possibility of a gym in Parliament. She also asked about the Economic Impact Study currently conducted on cricket and whether there was anything to report.

Mr Songoni (UDM) referred to the reprioritisation of funding to increase participation and asked how SRSA determined which national federations would bring the most medals. He asked for a schedule of where and when facilities would be built. Why was there such a difference in the percentages of women and youth employment opportunities.

Ms Mashangoane (Limpopo) appreciated the assertion that sport was for the poor and the wealthy alike. Facilities built by the Department of Public Works were currently not utilised properly because the communities did not own them. What about the sustainability and maintenance of facilities? Had the Committee considered familiarising people with sports like golf and tennis.

The Chair said that the NCOP should be incorporated into the efforts of SRSA so as to promote change. He suggested interaction with provinces and then assistance to be rendered with project-building and fostering a closer relationship at national level. He would assist by engaging National Executive Committees and that the challenge was to deal effectively with local government structures. If SRSA wanted a Bill to be included in any programme, they should advise the Committee.

Mr Fredericks appealed that the Committee members should view the completed facilities in their respective constituencies. Should they exert the influence they wielded to enable the BSR programme to be sustained? There was a role for ensuring the maintenance and continued use of facilities. Local authorities levied prices too high for the poorer communities to afford. The monitoring of facilities was very important and funds were set aside for this purpose. He welcomed NCOP involvement and said that the Young Champions programme promised to be a huge success in many respects.

The meeting was adjourned.