Question NW407 to the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
08 March 2023 - NW407
Denner, Ms H to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
(1). whether, with reference to the withdrawal of the Tel Aviv Heat’s invitation to take part in the Mzanzi Challenge competition and the subsequent withdrawal of the specified invitation, he has been informed that (a) Tel Aviv Heat was invited to the Mzanzi Challenge and (b) the invitation was later revoked; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (2). whether he applied any pressure and/or influence and/or had any involvement whatsoever in revoking the specified invitation; if not, what are the reasons that his department supports the revocation of the invitation to Tel Aviv Heat; if so, what are the relevant details. (3). whether the minutes of the SA Rugby Union meeting where the decision was made to invite and later revoke the invitation, has been made available to the SA Friends of Israel through their Promotion of Access to Information Act, Act 2 of 2000, application; if not, why not, if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1.(a). Yes, I was informed of the invitation, (b) and yes, I was made aware that the invitation was later revoked.
2. No, I did not apply any pressure and/or influence and/or had any involvement whatsoever in revoking the specified invitation.
3. This is an administrative matter of the SA Rugby Union, and as such neither myself nor my Department can get involved.