Committee Annual Report

Meeting report

SPORT AND RECREATION PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
25 October 2005
COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT

Chairperson: Mr BM Komphela (ANC)

Documents handed out:
Research document on THETA
Auditor General Report on THETA
THETA Annual Report [Available at www.theta.org.za]
Draft Committee Performance - Annual Report 2005

Environment Portfolio Committee minutes of 13 Sep 2005: Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Education and Training Authority Five-Year Review: briefing

SUMMARY
The THETA Annual Report presentation was postponed until 1 November as neither the Minister nor his deputy were able to attend the meeting. The Committee’s activities for 2005 were reviewed and remedial action was discussed for problem areas encountered during the year. Topics included sporting academies, Boxing, Cycling, SAFA, various sporting federations task teams, sports law and the need for an imbizo with the Minister and the Department.


MINUTES
Cancellation of THETA Annual Report presentation
The THETA Annual Report was handed out to members. The Chairperson ruled that the scheduled presentation and interrogation on this report could not take place at this meeting. Neither the Minister, who was overseas, nor his deputy, who was dealing with a delegation from Botswana, were available. In terms of Section 65(2) of the Public Finance Management Act, the Minister must present the report. He ruled that the report would be discussed at the meeting on 1 November, at which the Minister would be present.

Discussion
Mr CT Frolick (ANC) noted that reports were often simply pushed into pigeon holes and never properly discussed. It was essential that the drafter be present so that interaction could take place between him and the Committee.

Mr Komphela said that the report must be qualified before it is sent to SCOPA. The committee must determine how issues arising are to be resolved. The Committee has a legislative oversight role, and must interact with the issues raised by a report.

Mr TD Lee (DA) said that the Committee should not act as a rubber stamp. Communications had been lacking regarding this report. The Committee wanted to work professionally and effectively.

The Chairperson said that he would raise this issue with the Minister.

Mr Frolick commented that there was a communications deficiency on study visits. A lack of follow-up could cause a political crisis.

Committee Performance Report for 2005
The Chairperson distributed the Committee's Annual Report for 2005. He said that a program had been adopted in January, and had been a flexible framework for the Committee’s work. He mentioned some of the activities during the year:
Briefing by Rugby World Cup 2011 Bid Committee
Oversight visit to France
Joint meeting with Ruth Bengu and DKJ regarding World Cup issues and facilities
Briefing by SASCOC in March
Oversight visits to Eastern Cape, Free State, North West, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and Western Cape
Creation of Vision and Mission document
Meetings with Cycling, Boxing, Netball, Tennis, SAFA and Swimming federations
Visits to High Performance Centre in Pretoria, Sports Science Institute and Lovelife Games
Repeal of Sports Commission Act
Briefing by SARU on Brian van Rooyen issue
Awarding of 2010 Soccer World Cup
Discussions regarding future of USASSA
Visit to Shosholoza

Discussion
Mr E Saloojee (ANC) said that the decision to locate the Rugby World Cup Bid offices in Knysna was strange, as it is a remote location. He was concerned that they would not have wide exposure.

Mr Frolick said that the Bid was a private initiative and had their reasons for this decision. It was intended to institute a roadshow using a truck, but there had- been silence on this issue.

The Chairperson said the move to Knysna was due to funding. He noted that various sporting Halls of Fame and Academies had been established. These were not under government control, but the Minister should be able to intervene when necessary.

The Chairperson said there were some questions raised during the South African Sports Confederation and Olympics Committee (SASCOC) briefing. Some of these still needed answers.

The Chairperson said another meeting was needed with the Boxing authorities. The sport was in a very sad state at present.

The Chairperson expressed concern over the state of Cycling. He felt that this code was still largely not transformed. Committee members agreed with his opinion.

The Chairperson noted the success of Shosholoza. Some promotional shirts still needed to be collected.

Mr Lee was concerned that the Department of Trade and Industries was moving to kill Yachting. Exorbitant charges levied on launching facilities would make this sport unaffordable. Yachting clubs had developed their facilities on public land. He would present correspondence on this matter. It was established that the Department of Public Enterprises is in fact responsible for managing harbours.

Mr E Mtshali (ANC) observed that many facilities affecting yachtsmen were in fact under the control of municipalities.

Mr Frolick observed that a change in the management of the harbour in Port Elizabeth was in the offing due to the developments at Coega.

The Chairperson stated that there were concerns over the performance of South African Football Association (SAFA).

Mr Lee said that the Committee’s performance had been good. It had done well to go to the people. He had, however, two concerns. Firstly, the Committee had established a system of sub-committees. These were not performing as desired. A measure of self-criticism was necessary. The names of members of the tasks groups should be circularised to know who was responsible for reports. The second area of concern was regarding the Committee’s legislative functions. The Department’s co-operation was lacking at times.

Mr D Dikgacwi (ANC) said the main problem was defining the kinds of powers available to the Committee. The various sporting federations ran rings around the Committee, and did not feel themselves bound by its wishes and decisions. The respective task teams needed power to direct the federations.

The Chairperson said that law was derived from members’ laws. The questions were how to deal with the federations, and how to get them to listen. It was possible to compel federations to attend Committee hearings, but he did not know what measures could be taken to force them to agree with and abide by decisions. A report was needed on Cabinet’s progress with Sports law. He noted that the Eastern Cape was the only province were everything was duplicated.

Mr Dikgacwi stated that the Department did things on its own initiative.

Mr Mtshali said that an imbizo was needed with the Minister and the Department. It seemed that the Committee was receiving instructions from the department, which was indeed acting on its own initiative He asked what the Committee’s rights were.

The Chairperson agreed that the Department did not carry out the Committee’s proposals.

Ms D Morobi (ANC) said that loopholes could only be mended by legislation. She supported the concept of an imbizo.

Mr S Masango (DA) spoke about the oversight visits to the provinces. Agreement should be reached with the province first to avoid embarrassment. He said that the programs were too hurried, which limited interaction time with local officials

Mr R Bhoola (MF) complimented the Chairperson on his arrangements. He said that the function of the Department, its role and time frame needed to be established. It should use instructions rather than issue criticism. He agreed that loopholes needed to be fixed, and that an aggressive response was needed in this regard.

Mr Saloojee said that the Eastern Cape visit was well planned.

Mr Frolick asked about follow-up after such visits. A return visit should be arranged to address shortcomings such as with the Sports Councils. The visit to KwaZulu-Natal had not been as intensive as the Eastern Cape visit, and an urgent revisit was needed. In Gauteng the focus of activity was in the metropolitan areas. The Committee should avoid being too reliant on the local provincial office, on the other hand without their co-operation the right people might not be seen.

Mr Dikgacwi said that a proposed program was sent, but many changes had been made on arrival in the Eastern Cape. The process needed tightening. Any unhappiness should be raised in Parliament.

The Chairperson agreed with the need for an imbizo, and undertook to raise this with the Minister on 1 November. He noted that the Western Cape visit had been well organised. In the Eastern Cape, the local office had wanted all arrangements to be made via the Speaker of the Provincial Legislature. This was unacceptable. There was also too much focus on trivial issues during the visit. The Committee should devise its own program. He did note that the Committee now had a good understanding of the facilities throughout the country.

Mr Frolick said that the Eastern Cape officials had tried to manipulate the program. He added that no officials had tried to meet with the Committee delegates outside of the scheduled meetings. He had observed strained relationships between metropolitan and provincial authorities. He felt that an attempt had been made to keep information from the Committee.

The Chairperson said that the Committee would follow its own program. He would inform the province to be visited via the chairperson of the respective NCOP committee. His concern in Port Elizabeth was the existence of two Sports Councils. This issue needed urgent attention, and he had called for a meeting between a small delegation from the Committee with the Port Elizabeth officials. This was planned for 4 November. This disunity was an area of concern.

The Chairperson reported that Rugby had now finalised its Transformation Charter. This was to be presented to the Committee, the dates to be communicated to stakeholders. The document was to be submitted to members beforehand.

The minutes of the meeting of 13 September were adopted.

The date for the next meeting was provisionally set for Friday 28 October. The date would be communicated to members.

The meeting was adjourned.