Question NW2833 to the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
15 September 2022 - NW2833
Luthuli, Mr BN to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
(1). what steps have been taken by the department towards implementing equal pay in sports in order to address the gender pay gap; (2). what (a) is the total amount in rand of grants paid out by the National Heritage Council as at the latest specified date for which information is available and (b) are the relevant details for each province?
Reply:
(1). The gender pay gap between male and female professional athletes is a challenge that requires all role players within the Sport and Recreation fraternity to actively address. The Department has adopted a 2-pronged approach in addressing this challenge. Namely, policy reform and secondly targeted programmatic interventions.
In terms of policy intervention, the Department is in the process of formulating a Women in Sport Policy. The key aim of the policy is to ensure equality within the Sport and Recreation sector across the various spheres of the industry, e.g. administration, coaching, remuneration, participation opportunities, etc. The above-mentioned policy is currently at consultation phase and the Department has recently concluded consultations with National Federations.
In terms of targeted programmatic interventions, the Department is of the view that professionalisation of Women’s Sport is key in addressing gender pay gap. To this end the Department with limited financial resources has been primarily providing support to Cricket SA, South African Football Association, Netball SA and South African Rugby for the implementation of Women’s programmes with the ultimate aim of establishing professional leagues. The success of these kind of initiatives is dependent on the corporate investment in Women Sport.
The Private Sector (Corporate) is mainly driven by commercial interest hence it is imperative that commercially attractive and bankable products are developed.
The best cases in point is Women’s National Teams players and technical personnel in Cricket, Rugby and Netball are now contracted on a full time basis and paid salaries. This is the first step towards the professionalization of Women’s Sport which lays a foundation for the realization of pay parity in our sport.
(2) (a) Total amount: R7 124 000.00
(b)
|
PROVINCE |
AMOUNT |
|
Gauteng |
R1 530 234,50 |
|
Limpopo |
R1 344 249,60 |
|
Eastern Cape |
R1 060 140,70 |
|
KwaZula Natal |
R1 080 187,60 |
|
Free State |
R545 046,90 |
|
Western Cape |
R810 140,70 |
|
North West |
R200 124,00 |
|
Northern Cape |
R200 000,00 |
|
Mpumalanga |
R230 000,00 |
|
TOTAL |
R7 124 000.00 |