Ministerial Committee of Inquiry into Transformation in Cricket; Cricket Transformation Reports: discussion

Meeting report

SPORT AND RECREATION PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
17 June 2003
MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY INTO TRANSFORMATION IN CRICKET; CRICKET TRANSFORMATION REPORTS: DISCUSSION

Chairperson: Ms R Bhengu (ANC)

Documents handed out:
Analysis of Report by Ministerial Committee of Inquiry into Transformation in Cricket (Appendix 1)
Analysis of Report on Cricket Transformation: 2002/3 Season (Appendix 2)

SUMMARY
The reports from the United Cricket Board of South Africa and the Ministerial Committee of Inquiry into Transformation in Cricket were discussed, highlighting similarities and differences between them. Other issues discussed included problems in constituences, school sports policies, accessibility and role of local government.

MINUTES
The Committee dealt with minutes of meetings on 3 and 10 June 2003. Matters arising from minutes included addressing problems in constituencies, school sports policies, accessibility and the role of local government.

Issues arising from minutes
Mr Ncinane (ANC) said that Department of Sport and Recreation should address problems in constituencies. Disabled athletes brought more medals home than able-bodied athletes and should therefore enjoy more support, funding and media coverage.

The Chair said that she had attended a strategic workshop and would report back on it to the Committee. Needs at ground level must be taken into consideration.

Mr Simmons (NNP) commented on the fact that the Western Cape and Eastern Cape had no school sport policies in place.

The Chair said that there should be discussion of funding for facilities and equipment as there was confusion about the responsibilities for building and maintaining facilities. Discussions between the Departments of Education and Sports and Recreation should result in a clear policy as to the roles and procedures of each Department. The problem of access to facilities still remained.

Mr Pieterse (ANC) pointed out that Local Government should play a more defined role in this aspect. New facilities should not perpetuate division and people should be brought to the facilities.

Mr Ncinane mentioned that it should be allowed that some provinces dissolve their Departments of Sport and incorporate them into other Departments.

Mr Lucas (IFP) highlighted schools as an important issue and suggested that MEC's be invited to allow interaction between themselves and the Committee.

Mr Ntuli (ANC) agreed, saying that the USSASA leadership also be brought before the Committee to discuss addressing development at school level.

The Chair said that recreation was crucial because the youth found themselves in the wrong places. She attributed this to the lack of facilities. Recreation itself was inexpensive and also related to education as it taught discipline. She mentioned indigenous sport as an example, saying that equipment should be provided in order to revive it. Concerning the quota system, the Chair said that too much time and attention had been focused on this issue. They had been sidetracked from the more important issue of strategies for developing athletes. Selection of teams would not be problematic if each code in each province produced one outstanding player.

Mr Lucas voiced agreement, but said that particular situations required that issues like quota systems be raised time and again.

Analyses of reports from the Ministerial Committee Investigating Transformation in Cricket (MCITC) and the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCB)
Dr Farieda Khan (Information Services: Research Unit) presented findings on the reports from United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCB) and the Ministerial Committee of Inquiry into Transformation in Cricket (MCITC), highlighting similarities and differences between them. Members agreed that both parties appear before the Committee in due course.

Dr Khan briefed the Committee on background facts on the origin of the MCITC, appointed by the Minister of Sport. Key findings including the use of guidelines in the guise of quota systems and the notion of the UCB that transformation had exceeded expectations. She pointed out that this finding was not concurrent with the report of the MCITC. It was found that no significant inroads had been made into disadvantaged communities, a number of disparities existed and that it impacted negatively on the sporting sector as a whole.

Socio-economic differences inherited from the past rendered it necessary that transformation programmes be implemented. Recommendations were that the motion to scrap quotas be rescinded and that the UCB drive the transformation process. UCB should retain its monitoring function at national and provincial level. While the UCB would only respond to the MCITC report in September, Dr Khan raised some issues for consideration. The first of these related to Department of Sport and Recreation and its monitoring of the UCB, while the other questioned strategies developed to implement UCB's transformation programme in the context of widespread poverty.

Dr Khan then referred to the UCB presentation of 20 May 2003. The report was positive and focused on the successes of the organisation, including capacity-building in previously disadvantaged areas. Workshops were planned to include discussions of the findings of the MCITC report. Dr Khan noted a disjuncture between the urgency of the MCITC and the slowness of the UCB in responding to the report. She said that there were differences in the findings of the two reports, saying there was no specific detail with regard to funding and progress made. The MCITC highlighted a backlog of facilities and infrastructure, and questioned whether enough was being done to address this backlog.

Discussion
Mr Ncinane proposed that both parties be called before the Committee before UCB workshops commenced, as well as representatives form Department of Sport and Recreation and SASC.

Mr Louw (ANC) noted that transformation was a sensitive issue pertaining to all spheres of government, yet no Act forced that it be complied with. He suggested that the issue be discussed in a political light within separate party causcases as political intervention was necessary.

Mr Pieterse voiced his support for Mr Ncinane's proposal. Sports administration was in the media for the wrong reasons. Both parties should meet as the present situation was detrimental to sport as a whole. He felt that UCB had enough time before September to appear before the Committee.

The Chair noted the stand-off between the MCITC and UCB. The parties had only met through the media. The responsibility of oversight allowed that the Committee address and resolve the issue. The pace of transformation was slow, following the MCITC's submission in October 2002, followed by letters between the bodies concerned. She said that the UCN, the MCITC and the Minister would be invited to appear before the Committee, as well as the South African Sports Commission (SASC) and Department of Sport and Recreation.

Mr Lee (DA) voiced his disagreement, saying that the Minister himself should have addressed the issue and then reported to the Committee on results of such a meeting.

Mr Ncinane said that letters were written between the parties before the appointment of the MCITC. It was not the Minister's duty alone.

Mr Pieterse asked whether there was a way to fast-track the process.

The Chair pointed out that the Minister was not part of the Committee, but was free to attend meetings at any time. She clarified Mr Lee's point on meeting the UCB and MCITC without the Minister present.

Mr Ntuli urged that all information from structures be made available prior to such a meeting.

The Chair said that there must be compliance with the rules of Parliament. The Committee would fail if it did not address the stand-off between UCB and MCITC. The Committee was empowered to develop policies, but that all information must be availed for an understanding of the depth of the problem. The Minister was charged with leading sport in the country and that the Committee must be recognised. To ignore reports and discussions around them was disrespectful towards Government. It must be understood that the MCITC had been appointed by the Minister and not the Committee The Chair then urged that the matter be closed.

Mr Pieterse raised the matter of a whites-only sports event held in Upington. He said that young white people were encouraged to participate in this event.

Mr Simmons suggested that a statement be issued to the press whereby events of this particular nature were not condoned.

The Chair and Members agreed that this constituted a blatant display of racism in sport. The Chair committed herself to acting on it.

The Chair touched on the issue of dealing with federations and said that the matter would be discussed in due course

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?