Provincial Study Tours; School Sports: discussion

SPORTS AND RECREATION PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
24 June 2003
PROVINCIAL STUDY TOURS; SCHOOL SPORTS: DISCUSSION

Chairperson: Ms N R Bhengu

SUMMARY
The Committee discussed arrangements for the impending study tours to the various provinces from 4 to 29 August 2003. In terms of target issues, the Chair earmarked accessibility to and availability of facilities, interaction with municipalities, social problems regarding the youth and Physical Education in schools.

MINUTES
The Chair discussed arrangements about Kedi Choma's funeral arrangements. Mr Rodney Swiegelaar (Department) informed the Committee that the ceremony would take place at Mogolong Stadium in Thembisa on 28 June 2003. He said that various speakers would make tributes, including the Chair of the Committee.

The Chair continued by referring to the Transformation Indaba on 27 June 2003 in Mpumalanga. Workshops would be convened until 16 August 2003 and Committee members would be deployed to those workshops within their own provinces.

She turned to study tours to be undertaken from 4 to 29 August in the Committee period.
She mentioned a number of issues to be addressed, particularly that of school sports. Most high performance athletes were drawn from Model C-type schools and that an assessment should be made of activities at more disadvantaged schools. The Chair proposed that twelve days be used to visit all provinces, with the Committee divided into groups for a holistic picture to allow better analysis and a comprehensive report.

In terms of target issues, the Chair earmarked accessibility to and availability of facilities, interaction with municipalities, social problems regarding the youth and Physical Education in schools. She noted NGO's like SCORE and Playing for Peace as those that should be investigated so as to ascertain how the Committee could be of assistance. Indigenous sports should be revived and that recreational activities, particularly pertaining to special schools should be considered. A report should reflect the needs of the people at community level.

Discussion
Mr Frolick (UDM) agreed that the crucial areas had been correctly identified as target issues. He said that it was important that Metro Executive Members and Sports Officers in charge of sport be liaised with to determine current infrastructure, financial status and future plans. He also said that USSASA should be investigated with regard to teachers' involvement in sport and their impact on mass participation.

Mr Louw (ANC) mentioned that it was important that the Ministry made a report available regarding the meeting between the Departments of Sport and Recreation and Education concerning control of school sports. He asked about the presentation of the report of the last study tour.

The Chair answered that the report was still in the process of being analysed and would be presented in due course.

Mr Ntuli (ANC) asked that the reports be sent to members.

The Chair assented and suggested that members prepared a set of questions. These questions would elicit the responses required and then be incorporated into a report. She mentioned cricket in particular, saying that the Committee should make its own assessment of transformation in cricket. He asked whether this should be included in the study tour or be kept as a separate issue.

Mr Frolick suggested that it be kept separate as various sports committees would attend meetings and issues arising can be addressed.

The Chair said that the Committee should visit district municipalities and regional offices.

Mr Louw said that it was important that invitations and notifications be made timeously and that district meetings be kept separate. He further encouraged that visiting groups be mixed to avoid province-bias.

The Chair said that meetings would be convened with the District Manager as well as officials from the Departments of Community Services and Parks and Recreation. The Committee had a responsibility to inform councils of what they wanted to investigate in that particular region.

Mr Frolick suggested that plans, achievements and challenges of MEC's be determined for an intimate knowledge of activities in the areas and inclusion in the report.

Mr Swiegelaar noted that the South African Games would take place in the Eastern Cape in 2004 and suggested that the delegation visiting this region bear this in mind.

Mr Frolick urged that logistics for the tour be properly organised so that all stakeholders were included.

The Chair said that economising was important, as they would be travelling long distances for long meetings. However, economising should not be at the expense of members being productive and efficient. She asked for clarity regarding statements.

Mr Frolick said that statements were issued daily on other study tours, but that it sometimes operated differently. He also mentioned a Rebel cricket group in the Eastern Cape for which the UCB had statements at their offices in Johannesburg. He urged that the delegation visiting the area investigate allegations made after the release of the UCB and Ministerial Committee's reports.

Mr Ntuli suggested that three groups be organised to visit three provinces.

The Chair said that the NCOP should participate in the study tours, as there were enough chairpersons to lead delegations. She said that such a proposal would be made.

Mr Frolick said that opposition parties should pledge commitment to the study tour efforts, as these were notorious for withdrawing at the last minute.

Mr Louw said divisions between three groups would result in that province groupings would be as follows: Group 1 - Free State, Northern Cape, North West, Group 2 - Guateng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Group 3 - Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal, Western Cape.

Mr Swiegelaar noted an imbalance as the final three were bigger jobs to do with greater population numbers and levels of activity.

The Chair agreed to suggestions that the Western Cape be included in the application but be left for the last four days of the sixteen day tour.

Mr Louw proposed that the Department clothe the Committee so that they look like representatives of sport.

Mr Ntuli agreed and mentioned that access cards be made available instead of waiting for tickets to stadiums where matches were to be staged.

The Chair finalised that she would lead the KwaZulu Natal delegation, Mr Frolick to lead the Free State delegation and Mr Ntuli to lead the delegation to Limpopo province. She said that other officials would be slotted in at a later stage.

Meeting was adjourned.