Transformation in Cricket: briefing by United Cricket Board

Meeting report

SPORT AND RECREATION PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
20 May 2003
TRANSFORMATION IN CRICKET: BRIEFING BY UNITED CRICKET BOARD

Chairperson: Ms RN Bhengu (ANC)

Documents handed out:
Briefing on Cricket Transformation
Cricket Transformation 2002/3 season presentation
Ministerial Task Team Report on Transformation in Cricket(Appendix 1)
Transformation Policy of the United Cricket Board(Appendix 2)

Other relevant documents:
Transformation Playing Statistics 2002/2003 season

SUMMARY
The Committee engaged with the United Cricket Board on transformation in cricket and their reaction to the Ministerial Task Team report into transformation in cricket. The UCB did not believe that transformation had yet been achieved but expressed their commitment to the process. The Committee was interested in whether the UCB differed with the Ministerial Task Team on the report on Transformation in Cricket. They accepted the report of the Task Team but were still in the process of reviewing it and would discuss it at workshops.

MINUTES
Mr Rob Kurz: Vice President, United Cricket Board, introduced Mr Ray Mali and Mr Gerald Majola: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the United Cricket Board (UCB). Mr Kurz said that the Cricket World Cup (CWC) had been a great success, especially with regard to showcasing the country and reaping the financial benefits of the event.

He noted that the Ministerial Task Team (MTT) report had been received. Restructuring was in place with more emphasis on amateur cricket. Areas had been identified for specific financial assistance. Mr Kurz said that South Africa had also been repositioned internationally; the country was now a major player because it would be offered the presidency of the International Cricket Council in the next two years.

The Chairperson noted that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss transformation and whether or not the UCB had achieved this objective. The Committee was interested in whether the UCB differed with the Ministerial Task Team on the report on Transformation in Cricket.

Mr Kurz said that while the UCB believed that transformation had not yet been achieved, they all remained emotionally and intellectually committed to this objective.

Briefing by United Cricket Board
Mr Majola began by saying that transformation was elementary to everything. He thanked the Committee for the support given during the Cricket World Cup, saying that its success indicated South Africa's ability to host major events.

Mr Majola said that representivity was the cornerstone of UCB transformation policy. Black people were the target group and the responsibility for implementing transformation was that of provincial leaders. All teams underwent a monitoring process to ensure that they met transformation requirements. Mr Majola said that national tertiary tournaments remained a disappointment, as teams were either all white or all black.

He referred to statistics and said that there had a 10% increase in the number of black players in teams. In competitions including the Standard Bank Cup and the Super Sport Series this was prevalent and figures belied the claims that black players were below standard. Mr Majola said that umpiring remained a problem in terms of representivity, but progress was being made at youth level. The same has not yet occurred at upper domestic competition levels. Umpiring involved very specialised training and workshops would be convened to set new targets and ways to achieve them. Regarding coaching, Mr Majola said that it had been a problematic area, but blacks formed the majority in coaching on capacity building and selection to meet transformation requirements. The process should be accelerated.

Concerning women's cricket, he said that a team was about to embark on a tour to England. He also mentioned associations that would benefit from capacity building including Blind Cricket South Africa and South African Deaf Cricket association. As far as facilities were concerned, Mr Majola said that there were 59 Cricket Legacy projects in place for the advancement of cricket in the disadvantaged areas. He expressed gratitude to local authorities, but said that the assistance of the provincial MEC's would be appreciated. The facilities would cater for a number of other sporting codes like boxing, netball and athletics. Regarding procurement, he said that policies and contracts had been reformed and renewed to allow more black-owned and staffed companies to provide services to the UCB.

Employment Equity measures had reached and surpassed the 50% goal to 60% and staff were undergoing assessment to measure levels of efficiency. Mr Majola said that the UCB aimed to reach its set targets and then also be able to sustain them. The budget for development in cricket amounted to R78 million and the ICC World Cup gains to R144 million, to be distributed among UCB affiliates. The UCB would be receiving the International Standards Organisation (ISO) certificate, in addition to being named one of the top 300 companies. Mr Majola disclosed that the UCB was also part of the "Proudly South African" campaign. Capacity building was the top priority. Concerning the recording of histories of the game, he displayed a number of publications by the Western Province, Guateng, KwaZulu Natal and the association UCB. Workshops have been planned for each province from 24 June to 13 August 2003 as part of an annual progress review.

Address by Minister
Minister Balfour expressed appreciation for receiving the new team compositions from Omar Henry and Graham Smith and said that the balance in these teams was good. He questioned the absence of the President of the UCB and said that there needs to be set priorities to which one should adhere. He asked who was leading transformation in the UCB and said that if the leadership did not take government seriously, disaster was imminent.

He noted that sport was a provincial competence, which involved working and liaising with MEC's, and encouraged that this be done. He referred to the comment that government and cricket work together, and said that the new leadership of the UCB should recognise the government and its willingness to assist where assistance was required. He referred to the MTT Transformation report in which transformation policy is described as unparalleled and asked why it was being abandoned, if this was the case. He hoped that the new leadership would not isolate themselves as there were a number of issues still to be addressed. He discouraged further undermining of the MEC's in particular as this showed lack of leadership.

The Chair said that the impression of no co-operation between the UCB, the Minister and MEC's was given. She asked if this was the case.

The Minister said that he would make letters available to the Committee which stated that the only link between himself and UCB had been Mr Mali. There were attempts to facilitate a meeting but the leadership had refused.

Mr Kurz commented on the publication by Mr Odendaal that showcased a number of cricket teams familiar to the Minister. He went on to say that the Minister had not contacted him, despite the fact that he and Mr Mali worked together on attempts to facilitate a meeting. He said that the MEC's would be engaged and that they would report to the Council in September.

The Chair that the issue would not be open for discussion. She said that it was important to maintain good relations, and in admitting that relations were not good, she said that there was the opportunity to remedy the situation. She discouraged accusations so that issues could be addressed and solution found.

Discussion
Mr Ntuli (ANC) urged the UCB to take into consideration the contributions that politicians could make to the workshops. Needs at ground level could be better addressed with information coming directly from the different constituencies.

Mr Lee (DP) noted that there were different parties within the Committee each with their own views on the issue. He asked that the "Cape Herald" be included in the list of historical newspapers. He further encouraged the UCB to address the needs of all cricketers. He mentioned that there was only one cricket club in Soweto and asked how disadvantages in cricket should be addressed. He said that there should be a partnership between the Departments of Sport and Recreation and Education to foster a plan for exposure of the game.

Mr Pieterse (ANC) mentioned development of cricket among women and the disabled. He asked about cricket being taken beyond South African borders into Africa. He also asked about the UCB's view on the MTT Transformation report on cricket.

Mr Schoeman (ANC) observed that the UCB was prepared to learn and was therefore to put the interests of the country before sectoral interests. He asked where the UCB differed with the report submitted by the MTT, and whether this report could be used as a mechanism for moving forward.

Mr Kurz said that the UCB was aware of its national responsibilities. Kenya and Zimbabwe had benefited from the World Cup and the potential to develop capacity. The first objective was to stage the event in the interests of South Africa.

Mr Mali said that the workshops would involve everybody. Concerning the Soweto club, he said that the single club was a result of historical imbalances. More facilities, including fields, concrete slabs and another stadium in Dobsonville were being built. He added that Soweto had fourteen sides playing in the Gauteng league.

Mr Majola said that the "Cape Herald" newspaper had already been included in the publication. Transformation was the key strategic objective. He said that he would like to understand that the President and his office championed transformation. He acknowledged that the quotas had been scrapped, but that the targets set by the programme were still being met. The provinces set their own quotas and the CEO remained informed of any discrepancies as part of the monitoring process. The African Cricket Association would be administered from UCB offices to provide assistance. He assured Members that the MEC's would be recognised and that he had met with the Minister and was prepared to work together.

Mr Mali said that the Transformation report was received at the time of the Cricket World Cup and described it as their "bible". The report would be reviewed and discussed at workshops.

The Chairperson was pleased at the change of heart as the Committee had been aware of the manner in which the UCB had viewed the report. She asked whether the report had been discussed internally.

Mr Mali replied that the report was in the process of being reviewed.

Mr Chauke (ANC) said that it was necessary to find a way forward in dealing with the report. He asked whether the UCB had engaged with the MTT and the Minister regarding the findings of the report.

Mr Lucas (IFP) said that the differences were serious and that he was disappointed to be dealing with issues such as these nine years after democratisation. The Kenyan team should be looked to as an example as they had done so well in the CWC. Cricketers themselves should change their attitudes. He commented on the absence of the UCB President and said that it was indicative of disrespect for the Minister and the Committee.

Mr Frolick (ANC) said that no entity or federation should undermine social transformation in South Africa, and that the incoming leadership should give prominence to the MTT report at the workshops.

Mr Louw (ANC) said that Members of Parliament also have a responsibility as elected officials and that the UCB has the mandate to promote social transformation. He urged that problems between the UCB and the Minister be addressed. Total commitment was necessary and that this was not prevalent with the absence of the UCB President.

Mr Reid (ANC) mentioned that figures in the MTT report differed to those in the UCB presentation. He asked whether the funds generated by the Cricket World Cup would be used for developing or buying players.

Ms Lamani (ANC) said that the problem had been identified and therefore it was possible to move forward. She asked that the scorecard system be unpacked to clarify the relation between population demographics and funds allocated.

Mr Ncinane (ANC) mentioned that no meeting around the issue had taken place after the World Cup. This showed that the UCB did not take the report seriously. He requested that a deadline for a meeting on the report be set. The scrapping of quotas had given way to provincial guidelines. The UCB should re-address the quota issue as the scrapping of transformation quotas was marginalising black players.

Ms Molebatsi (ANC) asked whether it was regarded as a good thing that the UCB was listed as one of the top 300 companies.

Mr Kurz explained that Cricket South Africa (PTY) LTD ran their professional affairs. The UCB also had a development arm, with a special focus, as a separate body. Both of these are controlled by the UCB. There were also plans to expand amateur cricket. He added that Members' comments were taken seriously and they would meet with the Committee at any time. He reiterated that the report had not been ignored.

Mr Chauke said that Mr Kurz was not responding to the question. He wanted commitment from the UCB that they would address issues and communicate with the necessary parties to deal with the report.

Mr Lee disagreed with Mr Chauke and asked whether the Committee was in a position to prescribe to the UCB. He added that he and his party distanced themselves from this.

The Chair intervened and said that there were no divisions along party lines within the Committee. No one was prescribing anything and the only question posed was how the UCB would deal with the report.

Mr Majola said that they acknowledged the report but had not yet engaged the Ministry on the way forward and would do so before the workshops.

The Chair said that they should undertake such a meeting and prepare to appear before the Committee to provide a report back. The absence of the President was not helpful to them and showed disrespect. She said that the Freedom Charter adopted in 1955 provided that there be no discrimination or forwarding of sectoral interests. The label of "quota" should be addressed.

Mr Kurz thanked the Committee for its guidance and hoped that the offices concerned would remain in contact.

The meeting was adjourned.

Appendix 1
ANALYSIS OF THE REPORT BY THE MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY INTO TRANSFORMATION IN CRICKET

INTRODUCTION
At a conference held at Kievits Kroon on 7 July 2002, he United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCB) resolved to scrap transformation quotas at the level of national teams and senior provincial sides, and select teams purely on merit. At the level of B Teams and teams below that level, quotas were replaced by two guidelines, viz. that all provincial B Teams and teams below this level should contain at least 50% players of colour; and that these teams should contain at least one black African player. This has become known as the Kievits Kroon Resolution.

The Minister of Sport and Recreation announced on 18 July 2002 that he had appointed a Committee of Inquiry to test the validity of the claim made by the UCB that, "South African cricket had grown beyond its own expectations when targets for transformation were set three years ago". The Committee began its investigation on 7 August 2002.

KEY FINDINGS
General

The Committee of Inquiry found that:

Despite an initial reticence on the part of some of the role players, there has been an acceptable level of cooperation with the Committee.

The transformation quota system, albeit in a different guise, i.e. guidelines, in essence still remained in place. It was only the responsibility for enforcing and monitoring those systems that have been shifted to provincial level.

Since the Kievits Kroon Resolution, the enforcement and monitoring of quotas or 'guidelines' have in many instances, been even more rigorously enforced and monitored.

Achievements
The Committee of Inquiry found that:

Overall, significant progress has been made with regard to transformation.

Griqualand West has surpassed all the other provinces insofar as the development of all its black communities is concerned. This is reflected not only in the composition of its cricket teams, but also in the composition of the Board and Executive Committees.

The picture is also positive in KwaZulu-Natal, where, in addition to a progressive selection policy, the province has more contracted African players than Boland and Western Province put together.

Shortcomings in the transformation process
The most important finding of the Committee is that the UCB's statement to the effect that it had achieved transformation targets "beyond all expectations", is not borne out by the evidence. All the Committee's findings with regard to the transformation performance of the UCB flows from this fundamental conclusion. These findings include the following:

The UCB's development programme has failed to make significant inroads into black African communities - for example, in premier leagues, teams based in African communities make up under 10% of the total number of clubs.

There continue to be disparities in the allocation of funds, particularly in light of the fact that so many historically disadvantaged communities continue to be under-resourced in terms of facilities.

The legacy of South Africa's apartheid past continues to impact negatively on the sporting sector. This manifests itself particularly in the absence of adequate facilities in historically disadvantaged communities as this compromises the ability of black and white cricketers to compete on an equal footing. The problem of lack of adequate facilities applies in particular to African communities.

Compliance by all provinces with regard to transformation was about 20% of the categories within which targets were set. The lowest levels of non-compliance were the 'Coaches' and 'Primary School' categories. The next problematic areas were at the 'Umpire' and 'Scorer' ranks, followed by the 'Provincial and National Administration', 'Selection and Team Management' and 'High School' categories.

The provinces which scored highest in the non-compliance category were Gauteng (more than 60% non-compliant) and North West (50% non-compliant). These provinces were followed by Northerns, Griqualand West, Easterns, Free State, Border, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Province. Boland and Western Province had the lowest non-compliance level of 13%.

RECOMMENDATIONS
The recommendations proposed by the Committee of Inquiry were based on a recognition of the fact that the socio-economic inequalities bequeathed by the apartheid era require that an active transformation agenda continues to be followed in cricket, and that it be driven from the top. The recommendations put forward were:

The UCB should, as a matter of urgency, ensure that the Kievits Kroon Resolution is rescinded.

The UCB should, after a due process of consultation, increase the transformation targets contained in the Transformation Charter.

The UCB Executive Committee should resume its responsibility for transformation.

Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) should set in motion a consultative process whereby a Transformation Charter would result. This Charter should clearly define the respective roles of Government and the various sporting codes.

The definition of transformation targets should be revised in line with the original motivation to encourage provinces to produce their own players under the transformation programme. Accordingly, players of colour who are purchased from other provinces, or who have been, or are still, contracted to the National team, should be excluded from these targets.

The transformation programme should focus in particular, on the development of black African players, administrators and officials.

The UCB should focus its efforts on provinces such as Gauteng, Free State and Northerns, where the bulk of infrastructure is located, but which have been the slowest in transforming.

There should be separate accounts for development funds, as well as proper liaison and consultation with historically disadvantaged communities with regard to the utilisation of these funds.

The UCB should retain the system of monitoring undertaken by the National and Provincial Monitoring Committees. Members of these committees should be objective and independent.

Issues to consider
What has been the response of the UCB to the findings of the Ministerial Committee of Inquiry?
To what extent has the UCB accepted the findings of the Ministerial Committee of Inquiry?
What specific strategies flowing from the Committee's recommendations are being implemented by the UCB?
How will SRSA monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Committee's recommendations by the UCB, particularly those aimed at addressing the problem of inadequate facilities in historically disadvantaged communities?
The UCB's transformation programme has to be implemented within the context of widespread poverty and unemployment in South Africa. In light of this, what strategies are being devised to address these fundamental obstacles?

Announcement of cricket committee of inquiry, 18 July 2002.
www.srsa.gov.za

Appendix 2
ANALYSIS OF THE UNITED CRICKET BOARD'S REPORT ON CRICKET TRANSFORMATION: 2002/03 SEASON

INTRODUCTION
This report was presented to the Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation by Mr Gerald Majola, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA) on 20 May 2003.

SUMMARY OF PRESENTATION
ICC Cricket World Cup 2003
The International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket World Cup held in South Africa earlier this year, was a great success, proving that South Africa has the ability to host major world sporting events.

The World Cup offered an opportunity to showcase South Africa's tourist attractions to the world. It is estimated that more than 30 000 tourists visited the country for the World Cup.

Representivity

UCBSA's Transformation Policy has designated blacks as a target group for transformation, with black Africans, women and the impaired earmarked for accelerated advancement.

Players' representivity targets were well on track at all levels during this past season. Amateur and domestic First Class cricket showed that black players were in the majority and that black African players were on the increase. In the national teams, a record number of blacks were included in the teams.

Representivity with regard to umpiring at Youth Tournaments is progressing well, but not at the level of upper domestic competition.

Black coaches are currently in the majority in the Provincial system. However, this process has some way to go at the level of senior coaches.

Transformation is also well under way at the National Academy, where there are eight black cricketers (of whom five are black Africans) out of a total of 15.

Representivity targets were met at the level of women's cricket.

Funding was provided to national associations serving the impaired.

Facilities

The transformation policy is aimed at providing facilities in previously disadvantaged areas, mainly black African townships.

In accordance with this policy, 59 Cricket Legacy 2003 projects are in place.

The budget this year for development is R53 million, most of which is earmarked for previously disadvantaged communities in both urban and rural communities.

Over and above this amount, R25 million will be spent on the Cricket Legacy 2003 Project, making a total spend of R78 million.

Procurement

The UCBSA has transformed its procurement policies. Accordingly, all contracts are awarded to companies that have a minimum of 50% of black empowerment.

Employment Equity

At present, UCBSA Headquarter staff is 43, of which 29 are black, 22 are women, and of the 10 senior management positions, five are occupied by blacks.

Capacity-building

Capacity-building is an integral element of the UCBSA's transformation programme.

Accordingly, funding has been allocated for the appointment of officials for amateur cricket in historically disadvantaged communities, viz. cricket managers, and regional co-ordinators.

History for all

This aspect of the UCBSA's transformation programme is aimed at recognising the contribution of those people excluded from official histories under apartheid.

Four publications detailing the 'hidden history' of cricket in KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape, Gauteng and South Africa as a whole, have thus far been produced.

Provincial workshops

Beginning this month, strategic planning workshops will be held in each province as part of the UCBSA's annual review of progress and to address gaps and new challenges.

These workshops will play a key role in addressing the issues raised in the recommendations of the Ministerial Committee of Inquiry into the Transformation of Cricket.

ANALYSIS OF PRESENTATION
The UCBSA's report shows that with regard to players, representivity targets were well on track at all levels this past season and that black African representivity was on the increase. However, this finding does not appear to accord with that of the Ministerial Committee of Inquiry, which found that the UCBSA's development programme has failed to make significant inroads into black African communities. In fact, the Committee has called into question the UCBSA's claims in reaching its transformation targets.

Question: What is the reason for the apparent difference in the findings made by the UCBSA and the Committee with regard to transformation targets?

The provincial workshops have been proposed by the UCBSA as a mechanism for implementing the recommendations of the Committee. Recommendations from these workshops will be discussed at the UCBSA's General Council Meeting on 1September this year, nearly a year after the report by the Committee was released.
Question: There appears to be a dissonance between the urgency that the Committee has called for in the implementation of its recommendations and the date when action will finally be taken by the UCBSA. Has a timetable for action on these recommendations been decided upon by the UCBSA?

It appears that responsibility for the monitoring and evaluation of the transformation programme is not solely vested in the provincial structures, as this responsibility is shared with the National CEO. Nonetheless, as pointed out by the Ministerial Committee of Inquiry, the monitoring process is now less of a shared responsibility between national and provincial structures and more of a provincial responsibility.

Question: With regard to monitoring and evaluation, is the UCBSA considering the recommendation of the Ministerial Committee of Inquiry to return to the previous system?

Representivity targets with regard to women's cricket have been met, and in relation to the U19 Girls' Tournament, were exceeded. However, while the presentation mentions a 'new era for women's cricket', no specific details were provided with regard to funding, training (of players and officials) and the provision of facilities and infrastructure for female cricketers.

Question: With regard to women's cricket, how is progress currently being monitored and evaluated?

While funding was provided to national associations for the impaired to compete at an international level, no specific details were provided.

Questions: With regard to cricket for the impaired, how is progress currently being monitored and evaluated by the UCBSA? Also, what funding, training (of players and officials) facilities and infrastructure for the impaired have been provided? In which areas have these been provided?

The UCBSA has a policy of providing facilities to historically disadvantaged communities in order to redress the inequalities of the past.

Question: Given the extent of the backlog in facilities and infrastructure (as highlighted in the Ministerial Committee of Inquiry), is enough being done to redress this backlog, particularly in black African townships? In this regard, what is the UCBSA's response to the Committee's recommendation that, as a specific means of addressing this backlog, there should be separate accounts for development funds, as well as proper liaison and consultation with historically disadvantaged communities in the utilisation of these funds?