Questions and Replies

Reply:

Below is the information as provided by SASCOC in response to the question:

Reporting Financial Year	Games	Amount Rands (R)
2023/24	World Games Birmingham USA	R3 096 657,00
	Commonwealth Games Birmingham UK	R15 162 337,00
	AUSC Region 5 Games Lilongwe	R9 864 250,00
2022/23	Tokyo Olympics & Paralympics Games	R15 453 731,00
	AUSC Region 5 Games Maseru	R7 597 597,00
2021/22	Covid - No games
2020/21	African Games Rabat	R4 512 544,47
2019/20	Commonwealth Games Gold Coast	R2 132 778,30
	African Youth Games Algiers	R2 567 007,13
	Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires	R2 152 426,24
	AUSC Region 5 Games Gaborone	R4 624 719,48

Reply:

(1). (a). There is no programme that is run by myself or my Department and any Sport stakeholders that is called Operational Excellence Courses Programme (OECP).

(b). No further response related to Operational Excellence Courses Programme as indicated above.

(2). No further response related to Operational Excellence Courses Programme as indicated to in 1(a).

Reply:

(1). The family of Ms Jo-Anne van Dyk has not been reimbursed. After the 2024 Paris Olympics there have been further engagements with the affected parties, and it emerged that there was a level of miscommunication on this matter. All athletes that participated at the 2024 Paris Olympics were supported by their various federations through the qualification periods, for example at the World Athletics Championships, and Confederation of African Athletics Championships.

In addition, all the costs, including allowances for participating at the 2024 Paris Olympics, were covered by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee. It is true that Ms van Dyk was not part of the Bidvest Operation Excellence Programme, which provides dedicated support to athletes in preparation for the major competitions. These athletes are identified by their National Federations based on their performances at the time of the call to be considered for the Bidvest Operation Excellence Programme, and sometimes athletes who are truly excellent are missed, which can also be rectified later. Ms van Dyk will continue to receive support to prepare and participate in major competitions through her National Federation, Athletics South Africa, and multi-coded major competitions through the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee.

(2). Increasing financial support is dependent on the budget allocated to Sport by National Treasury. It is evident from the current budget allocated to sport in total for all sport programmes that all concerned role players such as Parliament and National Treasury need to assist in lobbying for better budget allocation. However, the Department is currently engaging various stakeholders, including corporate sponsors, to ensure investments in programmes and the expansions of budgets to support existing high-performance programmes.

We have also had a very promising engagement with the National Lotteries Commission, which would like to recommit to funding sport.

Reply:

The Department has written to the Sports Trust and requested the information. The Trust has provided a detailed response to the questions. See the attached spreadsheet.

Reply:

I have been advised by the Department that this current constrained situation arose as a result of various factors, all underpinned by limited financial resources available to the Department and the apparent inability of or difficulty for Federations to secure sufficient funding from the corporate sector.

In the main, international participation is the responsibility of National Federations, informed by the International Federations calendar. Unfortunately, some private organisations also arrange international tours outside of the main calendar developed by a Federation. These tours generally require payment from participants, which deepens the challenge being highlighted.

Another factor that contributes to this scenario is the different financial positions of the various sporting codes, both nationally and internationally. If we take cricket and hockey as an example, international bodies such as the International Cricket Council (ICC) often pay for countries participating at ICC-sanctioned events, with the National Federation only needing to cover flights, while a sport code such as hockey does not have this luxury. Hockey has 10 national teams (including males and females, so 20 teams in total) that participate internationally and at an average cost of R1.6 million, depending on the host country. With the limited resources available to the Department, DSAC could only allocate R3m overall to hockey in 2024/25. This allocation includes capacity-development programmes.

While more needs to be done to ensure National Federations attract more and sustainable private sponsorships, as a developing country, the state requires additional resources if it is to level the playing field.

This is the reason why I as the new Minister have been working so hard to engage the private sector and one of our former bastions of funding, the National Lotteries Commission, to recommit to supporting and funding our various sports teams, because the dividends for society far exceed the investment.

We are approaching this matter holistically, by also including opportunities for potential broadcasting of sports. We also need to ensure that every federation and confederation is governed extremely well, so that funders feel confidence that their money is going to what it should.

We are already starting to see signs of progress in this matter.

Reply:

(1). Car spinning is part of motorsport and Motorsport South Africa is one of the Federations supported by the Department. The Department has started engaging with Motorsport South Africa to formalise car spinning to grow it as a recognized sporting discipline. This process is currently in the consultation phase and the Department will provide an update (plan) once a draft is finalised. We understand that a recognised body is currently also being set up, led by the sport’s most influential leaders, to govern its operations. The initiative of car spinning is being piloted in phases, building up to a comprehensive programme that will include sponsors, broadcasting and a calendar of sanctioned events.

(2). There is no need to amend legislation to include car spinning as a priority sport. What is required is rather to formalise the discipline within motorsport.

Reply:

(a). Gender Based Violence (GBV), with particular attention to femicide (the killing of women) has been declared a pandemic by the President of the Republic of South Africa. By its nature, it cuts across all of society. It therefore becomes the responsibility of every member of society to play their part in preventing it.

This is true for both civil society (including business and the media) and government.

There are leading Departments, such as DSD, who are the custodians of GBV programmes in South Africa, supported by other government departments such as the Department of Women, Youth and People with Disabilities (DWYPD) as a coordinating department. The DWYPD coordinates inter alia the reporting on the National Strategic Plan (NSP) 2030, which has six (6) pillars.

Under the NSP, DSD reports under Pillar 4: Response, Care Support and Healing. The DSD is a critical partner in the work executed by DSAC on prevention of GBV. The DSD acts as a co-facilitator during community conversations and dialogue workshops partly or fully funded by DSAC under its Social Cohesion and Nation Building platforms. Key DSAC community engagements, awareness, detection and prevention initiatives for strategic partnering with other departments are created under the Social Cohesion Advocates (SCAs) programme and the Community Capacity Enhancement platforms also initiated by the DSAC and the moral regeneration programmes enabled through DSAC’s support for the Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM). The MRMspecifically has an anti-femicide programme. The DSD significantly assist with psychosocial support through counselling for participants who would be emotionally triggered during sessions or need placement in safe places or social work services. Further, DSD is one of the delivery partners of Priority 6, which is on Social Cohesion and Safer Communities.

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DOJCD) is a critical partner in the service chain, from prevention of GBV to correctional services for the rehabilitation of perpetrators. Together with DSAC, DOJCD works with the United Nations Protection Working Group (UNPWG). The two departments also partner on community conversations, Social Cohesion Advocates platforms and National Days, with particular attention given to Human Rights Month (focusing on women’s rights) and Women’s Month. The DOJCD also reports on the NSP under Pillar 3 on Justice, Safety and Protection. The Department is also a delivery partner under Priority 6 on Social Cohesion and Safer Communities.

(b). Resources for these programmes fall under the different DSAC Programmes, such as the Human Resource Management (HRM) programme under the Employee Wellness Programme, the funding of programmes initiated under the Social Cohesion Advocates Programme, the Community Conversation Programmes and the Moral Regeneration Programmes. Additional to these is funding towards Not-for-Profit Institutions/Organisations (once-off annual calls for proposals) dealing with GBV Programmes. This funding is done under DSAC’s Arts and Social Development Programme. DSAC has also invested in the Orange Day Campaign that advocates for collaboration efforts to end violence against women and girls. Other campaigns within the Department include the Golekane Campaign that operates a Survivors Guild and promotes candid conversations between boys and their male adults.

Reply:

 

(a). The department applies the Mzansi Golden Economy (MGE) funding strategy, and to ensure fairness and transparency, an open call is made annually for all creatives seeking to travel for market access opportunities through the MGE Touring Ventures workstream.

(b). The maximum grant amount for Touring Ventures is R1 million. Furthermore, proposals are considered on an ad-hoc basis throughout the financial year subject to the availability of Funds.

Reply:

(a). The provision of sport and recreation facilities is the constitutional responsibility of Local Government; however, the Sector department is mandated to define the parameters within which local government must deliver. In this regard, DSAC developed Sport and Recreation Norms and Standards.

Projects (including sport and recreation facilities) are identified through the Integrated Development Plan process (IDP), which takes place at the local government level. Depending on the priorities of each municipality, identified projects find expression in the final IDP document of the municipality. Most of these projects are then considered for funding under the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) administered by the Department of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), with inputs from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC).

Over and above the MIG, as part of the Department’s outreach programme, since 2013/2014 to date, a total of about 105 outdoor gym and kiddies’ play areas have been installed. In the next three years, the Department intends delivering about 30 outdoor gyms and kiddies’ play areas.

(b). Most of these facilities are constructed in public spaces, which encourages access. Part of the inputs that DSAC makes to COGTA during the planning phase and while funding considerations are being made for proposed new projects is that the municipality concerned needs to prove proper consultation was done with the community and specifically the local sport council. This is another way to ensure access as well as utilisation once the facility is completed. Upon completing the construction of a facility, it is handed to the municipality for operation and maintenance.

Reply:

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Reply:

The department would like to furnish the honorable Mr. L G Mokoena with the list as requested. Kindly see below the table with the list of recipients and the amounts spent:

MGE WORKSTREAMS	2017/18	2018/19	2019/20	2020/21	2021/22	2022/23	2023/24
	R'000	R'000	R'000	R'000	R'000	R'000	R'000
Art Bank	-	3 000	3 000	3 000	3 000	6 000	6 000
Artist in School	12 386	15 514	13 530	7 200	19 507	20 793	20 302
Community Arts Centres	8 959	7 525	7 403	4 869	22 140	17 400	29 166
Cultural Events	115 766	129 852	123 291	42 778	117 978	97 029	165 659
Debut Fund	-	-	-	3 000	4 000	2 000	4 500
Legacy projects		8 045	1 458	1 391	-	809	1 887
NaCiSa (Skils and Training)	17 854	20 203	30 430	27 948	20 768	38 119	24 731
Public Art	2 065	2 673	127	1 334	6 933	247	4 984
Wellness Intervention Programme	-	-	-	3 389	7 207	899	4 595
South African Cultural Observatory (SACO)	22 261	8 207	16 497	14 301	13 833	21 566	13 436
Touring Ventures	23 391	22 316	7 592	5 846	18 781	1 518	15 081
Venice Biennale	6 525	-	7 942	-	1 651	8 924	8 812
TOTAL	209 207	217 335	211 270	115 056	235 798	215 304	299 153
MGE Main Appropriation	288 728	306 122	323 264	322 449	322 960	307 265	298 202
MGE Final Allocation post AENE virements/shifts	300 528	300 156	310 464	140 110	280 298	266 829	329 834

Reply:

As the new Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, I want to be clear that I would like to change the approach, because if we just keep doing the same things we’ve done before, then we are just going to get more of what we’ve been getting to date.

There has been an overemphasis over the years of focusing on what I might call “equality of outcome” when it comes to transformation in sport, meaning that our society tends to look at the demographic profile of people who succeed at the upper and professional levels of sport, but by then it is already too late. What matters more is “equality of access”, which speaks to young people being able to participate and train in various sports from an early age on. Many professional tennis players, for example, started at the age of five. The game becomes second nature to such players.

We see people from underprivileged communities succeeding in sports that don’t require a large investment in resources. To learn to play soccer, you just need an open patch of ground and a ball. To become a cricket bowler, you just need a ball. However, to be a batter, you need pads, a bat, a helmet, gloves, groin protector, and more. This is why we see our system producing many black bowlers of talent, but few batters.

Equality of access if therefore the critical challenge.

Already I have started the discussion with the department around building sporting facilities that can be located within accessible distance of clusters of schools, in such a way that we begin to turn around a statistic that shocked me when I first took on this role, and that is that only one in 10 school children are participating in sport.

Some of the historical background I can offer is that the Department held the National Sport and Recreation Indaba of 2011, where the sports sector adopted the National Sport and Recreation Plan as well as the Transformation Charter for South African Sport.

To implement the Charter, the Department, SASCOC and nineteen targeted National Federations signed Agreements wherein the National Federations committed to meeting self-set transformation targets. Through an Independent Transformation Committee referred to as the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) the Department has been monitoring and evaluating progress made by these nineteen National Federations in terms of their self-set transformation targets. The assessments have been based on a multi-dimensional scorecard and the following are the key dimensions of transformation being assessed:

1) Access

2) Skills and Capacity Development

3) Demographics

4) Performance

5) Contribution to government priorities

6) Good Governance

The EPG Reports have highlighted common areas that require attention to fast-track transformation in sport. These areas cover:

1. Revival of Physical Education and the School Sport System

The Department has attempted the implementation of a School Sport Programme in partnership with the Department of Basic Education through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). However, this MoU expired last year, in May 2023, and underwent a review, which culminated in the hosting of a national School Sport Indaba. It was clear at the Indaba that there has been little to no progress in establishing sustainable school sport leagues in less privileged communities, which constitutes the vast majority of where our children are affected. A new MoU is currently being discussed between the two departments that will see intensive focus on the establishment of school sport leagues and setting of structures to manage those leagues.

Currently the School Sport Programme offers competitive playing opportunities for learners at Under-15 Rugby and Cricket for the Under-17 from district, provincial and national level. These competitions are there to ensure that learners, both male and female, from Quintile 1-3 schools, are given an opportunity to showcase their talents and ensure that the Federations can have a talent pool from which to identify and nurture their skills. The Department meets with the structures to monitor the talent development programme and encourage further identification of learners from the School Sport Programme to be considered. So far, through the SA Rugby Union, a school rugby programme has been developed that aligns the School Sport programme with the Development Programme of Rugby, to ensure there is progress from this programme to Grant Kgomo Rugby Development up to Craven Week, including franchise rugby. This system assists to see how government initiatives are being aligned to Federation development programmes and the intake thereof.

Similarly, with Cricket, there is a consideration through the league programme to ensure we increase the number of Cricket Hubs. Where hubs exist, the number of clubs and schools affiliated there are increased. Through the KFC mini-cricket programme, which is led by Cricket SA, we intend to expand the quality of opportunities and ensure that schools and clubs from rural areas are actively involved in the mainstream of cricket.

On the other hand, the Indaba also resolved that the DBE must ensure that Physical Education is revived in schools.

2. Revival of the Club System

The Department is currently reviewing the Club Development Programme, post the pilot study which was undertaken in 2016 and piloted in two provinces. This programme mainly focused on two sporting codes, Football and Netball, in both rural and urban areas. The result of this programme indicates a serious need of building capacity and addressing the infrastructure needs of clubs. The discussions, between Rugby and Cricket, have centred on creating a conducive space for township and rural clubs to be brought into the mainstream of their clubs. The Club Development Programme is meant to be a bridge between informal to formal and mainstream sport. It is meant to address the impediments and obstacles that limit the participation of rural and township clubs from affiliating into mainstream sport. This initiative will help the established and existing clubs to participate in the same competition that provides all rugby structures an equal participating opportunity.

3. Provision of Sport Infrastructure (Facilities)

The department uses a portion of 5% earmarked for sport infrastructure in the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) and allocates this funding to municipalities, through the Department of Cooperative Governance (DCOG), for the development of sport facilities that are required to broaden participation opportunities and ensure transformation.

The adoption of the Charter meant that the sector moved from a quota-based system to a target-based system. The EPG Report, which details the findings, recommendations and whether the National Federation has passed or failed, guides the Department on corrective measures to be undertaken.

Failure of a National Federation to achieve at least 50% of self-set targets could lead to the imposition of one or more of the following penalties: -

1. Revoking authority to bid for staging or participating in international tournaments.

2. Suspension or withdrawal of funding or support from government.

3. Withdrawal of rights to award national colours.

4. Withdrawal of recognition as national federation in terms of National Sports Act.

I am still making a determination on whether I believe the above approach will be sustained, going forward, given my opening comments on focusing on equality of access over equality of outcome.

Reply:

(a). The Department has not set aside a specific budget to celebrate (i) Amahlubi and (ii) amaBhaca nations.

(b). The department does not put measures in place to recognise specific groups but strives to recognise and celebrate the diverse heritage of all groups during national heritage celebrations in September and through all the department’s programmes and those of its entities throughout the year.

Reply:

1(a). The South African Geographical Names Council (SAGNC) working together with the Provincial Geographical Names Committees (PGNCs) has been embarking on an ongoing public awareness campaign on the need to transform the geographical names landscape.

It will continue with this process and is currently planning to conduct national awareness using both national broadcasting and social media platforms.

(b). Following National Consultation across the nine provinces, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture appointed a Ministerial Task Team to advise on the transformation of South Africa’s heritage landscape in the 2017/2018 financial year.

• The Ministerial Task Team produced a report with recommendations.
• The report was tabled to Cabinet for endorsement 2020/2021.

As part of implementation of the recommendations, the Department through the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) conducted a national audit of all statues in South Africa in the 2021/2022 financial year. The process for the relocation and repositioning of the symbols and statues was to be guided by National Heritage Resources Act. No. 25 of 1999.

However, the National Treasury declined the Department’s request for the budget allocation regarding the relocation, repositioning and curation into Regional Cultural Nation Building Parks of statues and monuments not in line with the values and spirit of the constitution.

Once the budget is made available, SAHRA together with Provincial Heritage Resources Authorities and local authorities and guided by National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act 25 of 1999) will ensure stakeholder involvement and public consultation with all the relevant and interested parties in the relocation, repositioning and curation into Regional Cultural Nation Building Parks of statues.

2. The South African Geographical Names Council (SAGNC) Act No. 118 of 1998, the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA) Act No. 3 of 2000, and the United Nations Resolutions on geographical names stress on public involvement/inclusion concerning the standardization of geographical names.

All members of the public, especially those who have been historically marginalised have the right to have their voices heard in the transformation of geographical names. Communities must identity/support the new names where old names are being replaced. Municipalities facilitate public consultations.

Thus, it is crucial for the Minister to rely on the involvement of both municipalities and the public.

Reply:

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Reply:

(1&2). This matter may be considered a dispute between an aggrieved athlete and the National Federation or any other relevant party. The athlete is alleging unfair de-selection or withdrawal from the Team. As such it should be dealt with in terms of Section 13 of the National Sport and Recreation Act 18 of 2007. Section 13(1)(a) of the said Act directs as follows “Every sport or recreation body must in accordance with its internal procedures and remedies provided for in its constitution, resolve any dispute arising among its members or with its governing body. Section further sets forth the processes and procedures to be followed in dealing with these matters. 

In addition, Section 13(5)(a) sets out the conditions within which the Minister may intervene. In terms of Section 13 (5) (b) (ii) of the National Sport and Recreation Act, the Minister is debarred from involvement in matters relating to selection of teams. The Section states that “The Minister may not interfere in matters relating to selection of team, administration of sport and appointment of, or termination of the service of, the executive members of sport or recreation bodies. 

The above provisions are premised on the directives of the Olympic Charter presented below for ease of reference. Article 27(3) “The National Olympic Committees (NOC) have the exclusive authority for the representation of their respective countries at the Olympic Games and at the regional, continental or world multi-sports competitions patronised by the IOC. In addition, each NOC is obliged to participate in the Games of the Olympiad by sending athletes” Article 27(7) (7.2) “The NOCs have the right to send competitors, team officials and other team personnel to the Olympic Games in compliance with the Olympic Charter” Article 27(9) “Apart from the measures and sanctions provided in the case of infringement of the Olympic Charter, the IOC Executive Board may take any appropriate decisions for the protection of the Olympic Movement in the country of an NOC, including suspension of or withdrawal of recognition from such NOC if the constitution, law or other regulations in force in the country concerned, or any act by any governmental or other body causes the activity of the NOC or the making or expression of its will to be hampered”. 

Section 29 of the Olympic extends the same provisions to the National Federations. 

(3). In line with the above the Team and Athlete Selection Policies and Selection Criteria fall outside the jurisdiction of the Minister. The selection policy is set by the National Olympic Committee (SASCOC) through its General Council. National Federations further set their sport specific Selection Policies and Selection Criteria in line with their Constitutions. 

(4). Participation at an elite level is highly competitive. Athletes should never lose hope but continuous strive to better themselves in preparation for future competitions. 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY 

QUESTION NO. 54-2024 

WRITTEN REPLY 

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 54 – 2024, DATE OF PUBLICATION 18 JULY 2024: 

MR LG MOKOENA (EFF) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF SPORT, ARTS AND CULTURE: 

(a) What is the total cost of maintaining the Art Bank of South Africa and (b) how has its 

upkeep been financed on a yearly basis since its inception on 12 December 2017? NW55E 

REPLY 

(a) The average cost of maintenance of the Art Bank of South Africa has between R3.2million and R4.7million between 2016 and 2024. This cost is inclusive of the operational costs and annual spend on acquisitions. 

(b) The programme is financially supported with an annual allocation of R3million in 2016/17, 2018/2019, 2019/2020, 2020/2021, 2021/2022 and R6million in 2022/2023 and 2023/2024. 

The Art Bank of South Africa programme was placed within the National Museum, an entity of DSAC to keep the staffing needs and operational costs of the programme low. 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY 

QUESTION NO.135-2024 

WRITTEN REPLY 

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 02-2024 DATED 26 JULY 2024 

“MR T P MOGALE (EFF) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF SPORT, ARTS AND CULTURE: 

1. What (a) actions will he undertake to fast-track name changes across the Republic and (b) what are his intentions regarding statues of colonial and apartheid leaders which are still publicly displayed. 

2. Whether the Minister will consider introducing a Bill giving him powers to institute name change processes and not rely on municipalities to facilitate the process of name changes; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details. NW150E 

REPLY 

1(a). The South African Geographical Names Council (SAGNC) working together with the Provincial Geographical Names Committees (PGNCs) has been embarking on an ongoing public awareness campaign on the need to transform the geographical names landscape. 

It will continue with this process and is currently planning to conduct national awareness using both national broadcasting and social media platforms. 

(b). Following National Consultation across the nine provinces, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture appointed a Ministerial Task Team to advise on the transformation of South Africa’s heritage landscape in the 2017/2018 financial year. 

The Ministerial Task Team produced a report with recommendations. 

The report was tabled to Cabinet for endorsement 2020/2021. 

 

As part of implementation of the recommendations, the Department through the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) conducted a national audit of all statues in South Africa in the 2021/2022 financial year. The process for the relocation and repositioning of the symbols and statues was to be guided by National Heritage Resources Act. No. 25 of 1999. 

However, the National Treasury declined the Department’s request for the budget allocation regarding the relocation, repositioning and curation into Regional Cultural Nation Building Parks of statues and monuments not in line with the values and spirit of the constitution. 

Once the budget is made available, SAHRA together with Provincial Heritage Resources Authorities and local authorities and guided by National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act 25 of 1999) will ensure stakeholder involvement and public consultation with all the relevant and interested parties in the relocation, repositioning and curation into Regional Cultural Nation Building Parks of statues. 

2. The South African Geographical Names Council (SAGNC) Act No. 118 of 1998, the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA) Act No. 3 of 2000, and the United Nations Resolutions on geographical names stress on public involvement/inclusion concerning the standardization of geographical names. 

All members of the public, especially those who have been historically marginalised have the right to have their voices heard in the transformation of geographical names. Communities must identity/support the new names where old names are being replaced. Municipalities facilitate public consultations. 

Thus, it is crucial for the Minister to rely on the involvement of both municipalities and the public. 

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY 

QUESTION PAPER NO. 6 

FOR WRITTEN REPLY 

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 1- 2024 DATED 18 JULY 2024: 

“Ms N N Chirwa-Mpungose (Gauteng: EFF) to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts 

and Culture” 

(1) Whether, in light of his department’s provision of annual bursaries to heritage, anthropology and archaeology students to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies, he will expand such bursaries to accommodate a bigger group of students in pursuit of such courses; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details. 

 

REPLY 

The heritage bursaries programme aims to bridge the heritage sector skills gap in arears of critical and scarce heritage skills such as forensic anthropology, forensic and marine archaeology, conservation, intangible cultural heritage and IKS protection and promotion, digitization, marketing of heritage. 

The programme has an annual target of 45 students with a total budget of R5 030.000. The target number can be increased if resources allow. 

(2) Whether he will include internship programmes that will absorb the beneficiaries and/or graduates in the said course codes; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details. 

REPLY 

The Department also developed a placement strategy that seeks to equip unemployed graduates with the necessary skills in the sector. This placement programme was implemented in April 2023 and runs for a period of two (2) years before the next intake of interns (unemployed graduates) takes place. 

Currently, there are 15 interns (unemployed heritage graduates) that are employed in the sector. The DSAC has also developed a database of all unemployed graduates which is updated every third quarter of each financial year. During the past financial year, four (4) interns were absorbed into the heritage sector by accepting permanent positions. These previously unemployed graduates have since been replaced with new interns from the database.

Reply:

The 2020 European Union Nations Cup was cancelled by the organizers due to the worldwide COVID 19 pandemic and any payments made by team members were re-imbursed to them. SSA paid and carried the costs of the team entries which was not refunded by the organizers.

Reply:

I have not been informed about the said situation at the Nomoya Masilela Museum, as this is a Provincial Museum and thus under provincial competence.

Reply:

The Honorable Member should note that :-

1.(a). Participation in the Olympic Games is determined by the relevant International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) regulations and qualification process as determined from time to time in consultation with relevant International Federations (IF), which is the same process followed for Water Polo sport.

(b). South African Sport Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) in consultation with National federations, have the sole authority for the entry and or withdrawal of athletes and teams from (IOC) International Olympic Committee’s Events.

(c). Following the 2021 Olympic Games and 2023 Fukuoka World Championships, the Swimming South Africa (SSA) High Performance Committee reviewed the performance of all aquatic disciplines, namely (Artistic Swimming, Diving, Open Water Swimming, Swimming and Water polo) in August 2023.

This review was necessary necessitated to ensure that the performance standards of athletes and teams in the SSA Aquatics Disciplines continually improve in relation to international performances and be competitive for Paris 2024 Olympics Games and beyond.

The Criteria adopted is as follows:

Artistic swimming

Achieve a top 20 ranking at Doha World championships 2024 to be eligible for continental qualification.

Diving

Achieve a top 12 ranking at Fukuoka world champs (1st round) or achieve a top 12 ranking at Doha World championships 2024.

Open water

Achieve a top 20 ranking at Doha 2024 World championships to be eligible for a continental qualification.

Swimming

Achieve an Olympic A qualification time standard at the SA Olympic trials in April 2024; should athletes not achieve the Olympic A qualification time standard at the SA Olympic trials in April 2024, the Olympic A qualification time standard achieved during the World Aquatics window period, will be considered. Relay qualification will take place at the 2024 Doha World Championships where the top 13 placed teams will qualify. 

Water polo

Achieve a 12th place ranking at Doha World Championships 2024 to be eligible for a continental qualification.

(2)(a). Participation in the Olympic Games is determined by qualification criteria determined by the IOC in consultation with IF which in this case is World Aquatics. Athletes and teams must comply with the IOC qualification standards and are not invited to participate, including the participation of Teams from Africa.

(b). SASCOC as the National Olympic Committee (NOC) and Swimming as the National Federation respectively, have authority in relation to the relevant national legislation and affiliation to the IOC and World Aquatics for their related functions in South Africa. As a department we are not in a position to speculate on sport development in Africa.

(3). Yes, there was collaborative process, in that following the review by the SSA High Performance Committee in August 2023, the recommendations were presented to and adopted by the SSA Executive Committee and the General Council at the Annual General Meeting in August 2023.

Reply:

The department has not allocated any new budget for the 30 Year celebration of Democracy in South Africa. However, the department aims to utilise all standing national days in 2024 to observe the yearlong celebration. In this case, the department intends to celebrate the 30 years anniversary of democracy in South Africa through the Human Rights Day, Freedom Day, and the Africa Day under the ambit of Africa Month which falls before the 29 May 2024.

 

Reply:

The Department has engaged with Swimming South Africa (SSA) in relation to the questions asked and submit the following responses.

1. Swimming South Africa indicates that Africa Aquatics encouraged South Africa’s participation at the Olympic Games, however SSA has the final decision on the matter and declined SA’s participation due to the team not meeting SSA’s criteria.

2. The Minister is not able to indicate whether the rest of the African countries were invited to the Olympic Games as this is a matter for Africa Aquatics and the International Olympic

Committees, however, the Minister is aware that South Africa did receive an invitation to Participate at the Olympic Games for the water polo teams.

A). Yes, the SA Water Polo Team attained qualification to the Olympic Games which has not be accepted.

B). The water polo team achieved qualification by virtue of being ranked position 1 on the African continent, however, SSA’s criteria for Olympic qualification requires the team to attain position 12 in the world. The water polo team has not achieved this qualifying standard.

3. No, the Minister has not found anything to this effect.

Reply:

1. As Minister of Government Department in the Republic of South Africa, I do not have oversight or authority when it comes to International Federations, and I am therefore unable to comment on this matter.

2.(a). The current Executive Committee was elected on 15 January 2022, and has been serving Swimming SA since then.

(b). Unfortunately, I am not aware of any organizational failures within the Swimming SA, however, I will request my department for a full report on the alleged persistent failure in the organisation.

Reply:

The Ministry engaged Swimming South Africa (SSA) who provided the following responses:

(a). Considering limited resources, grassroots programmes are primarily focused on water safety education and teaching swimming as a life skill in areas where there are facilities. Noting that of approximately 25,000 schools in South Africa, 22,000 do not have swimming pools. Swimming Pools in schools is limited to private schools where water polo is practiced.

(b). Due to financial constraints, Swimming South Africa (SSA) in conjunction with World Aquatics can only provide annual training programmes to coaches and technical officials on an alternative basis. This is an average of 30 people trained annually in accredited courses.

Reply:

Swimming South Africa (SSA) indicates that they require additional information to respond to these questions as they are unaware of these incidents.

Reply:

Arts, Culture, and Arts Centres

(1). DSAC has developed the User Asset Management Plan, (UAMP) to facilitate the building, and refurbishment, and/or rehabilitation of Arts, and Culture infrastructure, and art centres. The UAMP is developed on a three (3) year cycle, which is updated annually. It comprises mainly the inputs and projects from the Arts, Culture, and Art Centres.

(2)(a). The financial Implications of the specified projects in the UAMP are outlined in the attached document. It must be noted that the UAMP is subject to the annual National Treasury Virement Process and Budget cuts and the figures shown in the attached document for the current 2023/24 financial are as per the approved virement process.

(b). The Projected Completion Dates which were submitted by the Implementing Agents, i.e. Public Entities, Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, Development Bank of South Africa, Provinces, and Service Providers, are outlined in the attached document.

Libraries

(1). DSAC in corporation with the Provincial Departments of Sport, Arts and Culture have developed plans to facilitate the building, refurbishment, and/or rehabilitation of libraries.  The plans are developed and approved by the Provincial Departments. The plans outline the project scope, cost, and timeframe. The details of the projects are outlined on the attached document below.

(2). The financial Implications of the specified projects are outlined in the attached document.

Sports Facilities

(1). The provision (Construction, refurbishment, and rehabilitation) including the maintenance of Sport and recreation facilities is the constitutional responsibility of Local Government through the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) and the Metropolitan Municipalities through the Urban Settlement Development Grant (USDG). However annually since 2016, DSAC allocates municipalities, which are custodians of sport facilities, funding from ring-fenced MIG for upgrading, refurbishment and construction of sport facilities in line with requests submitted.

It is important to emphasise that maintenance and refurbishment of sport facilities, as per the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, is a mandate of these municipalities, and the funds DSAC recommends for allocation are municipal grants aligned to this mandate. Additional to this allocation, municipalities are required to use 5% of their baseline MIG allocations they receive from COGTA for, inter alia, refurbishment of sport facilities. To ensure this happens, DSAC is in a process to engage with COGTA to enforce use of 5% for sport facilities, especially for refurbishment purpose.

2(a). The List of 52 projects/municipalities that are recommended for the next financial year is attached, with details regarding the district, name of Local Municipality allocated, project name, scope of work and total amount allocated. It should be noted that all the 52 projects are already gazetted and letters from DSAC confirming funding has been sent. Currently DSAC assisting municipalities fast track the registration process through COGTA.

(b). The projects will only begin with implementation June 2024 which is the new financial year of the municipality. Municipalities are encouraged to complete the project the same year of allocation, we expect that the projects be completed July 2025, we do however acknowledge that due to delays either in registration or appointment of professional service providers and contractors or any other challenge the municipalities might experience during implementation some might be finalise September/October 2025.

Thank you

Reply:

The details of the vehicles bought for the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture and the Deputy Minister since 8 May 2019 are as detailed below: - Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture are as follows.

Vehicle	Minister	Deputy Minister
(a) Make	No vehicles purchased.	BMW
(b) Model	N/a	520d
(c ) Year	N/a	2020
(d ) Purchase date	N/a	15/01/2020
(e ) Purchase price	N/a	R 649 000.00

 

THANK YOU

Reply:

1. The total number of applications received and gazetted from the Eastern Cape Geographical Names Committee (PGNC) since the start of geographical names process in the Republic of South Africa is 312.

2. Not all the applications were approved.

(a) The total number of applications not approved is 2.

(b) The reasons for their rejection were that the one name was a duplication of an already existing suburb name and the other name required consultation with all stakeholders in the town.

(c) Applications not approved were the city name changes of East London to KuGompo (applied for in 2020) and initially the changing of the name of Grahamstown to Makhanda. Subsequent to that consultation, the name change was returned to the Minister, approved, and gazetted in the government gazette of 29 June 2018.

3. (a). No name application was successfully objected to prior gazetting.

(b). No name application was successfully objected to post gazetting.

(c). A name application would be successfully objected to, if the application process was not followed, i.e. if the name application did not follow the South African Geographical Names Council Act, (Act No 118 of 1998), the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA) 2000 (Act No 3 of 2000) (when it comes to consultation) and the Council’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

Thank you

Reply:

(a). The matter was referred to the Freedom Park Council which in turn commissioned an internal investigation to establish the veracity of the claims. The report presented showed that the allegations made were not factual.

1. There are no transactions of whatever nature that any Council member was involved in.
2. There are no transactions of whatever nature that the management was involved in.

(b). A council member, Mr Mpho Tsedu did engage in television production management with the organisation while he was a private citizen and not a member of the Council. The productions were done in regular manner and were beneficial to the organisation. Mr. Tsedu has never entered into any transactions since he became member of Council.

(c). Any concern receives attention and internal investigations are conducted.

THANK YOU

Reply:

(1)(a). Copy is attached for your attention.

 

(b). Case number 421/1/2018. I am not able to provide update as the case was opened by Freedom Park.

(2). The Freedom Park Council commissioned the report, and it is their prerogative to make if they wish to make the report publicly available.

(3)(a). The Chief Financial Officer resigned prior to the finalization of the report, and the report did not issue recommendations against him as he was no longer an employee of Freedom Park (b) The Finance Manager:

A disciplinary enquiry was initiated as per the recommendations. The process could however not be concluded as the employee resigned before the matter was finalised.

(4). The said employee, the SCM official underwent a process of disciplinary hearing and was found not guilty.

Thank you

Reply:

(a). With reference to the Sport Sector, the Department noted and realised the absence of programmes catering for life after active careers of our sports heroes/heroines, as well as the need for more hands in the effective implementation of current and future initiatives in sport, and decided to develop a programme that would match the skills and experience of these sports heroes/heroines with the existing gaps within the initiatives that we wishes to introduce and/or enhance in the sport sector.

In the Cultural and Creative Sector, the Department established the Living Legends Legacy Fraternity Programme. This program is funded and created a Trust (Living Legends Legacy Fraternity Trust), with a board of trustees entrusted with ensuring that Legends come up with life skills transfer projects, to avoid industry pitfalls.

The Masterclasses are done to empower the next generations of artists and creatives, and in the process the Legends get remunerated in order for them to sustain their livelihood.

(b). The Sport Ambassador Programme is being implemented through the Active Nation Chief Directorate of the Department, wherein the sport legends are required to deliver coaching, mentoring and life-skills as well their self-initiated programmes within the school sport programme and in communities.

The Sport Ambassadors have further served as role models addressing the Youth at the Department’s annual Youth Camps, coaching, and providing life-skills at the National School Sport Championships

The Programme has also provided opportunities for other facets of the sport sector where legends of the Sport media sector have been involved in mobilisation of communities as South Africa hosts major Sporting events, like the Netball World Cup, and facilitating discussions during strategic gatherings of the Sporting sector, like the School Sport Indaba.

The Sports Ambassador Programme is also catered for in Provincial Activities and budget for this is catered for in the Conditional Grant.

Sector organisations in the Creativity Industry are enlisted to assist the Legends in various categories to conceptualise projects to be supported by the Department as our Legends are of an advanced age and need to be assisted by individuals that have insight about the Sector.

Thank you

Reply:

The information at my disposal, which was verified with Boxing South Africa is that there was no criminal case opened against a senior official of Boxing South Africa. The said official tendered a resignation before the commencement of a disciplinary hearing against him.

THANK YOU

Reply:

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture's total budget spent on the compensation of members of the Ministerial Advisory Team (MAT) appointed by the department.

(i). The total budget is R638 369,76 (six hundred and thirty-eight thousand three hundred and sixty-nine rand and seventy-six cents only) as follows:

(ii). The amount of R592 183,19 (Five hundred and ninety-two thousand one hundred and eighty-three rand and nineteen cents only) for the remuneration of all members

(iii). The amount of R46 186.57 (forty-six thousand one hundred and eighty-six rands fifty-seven cents only) for travelling to attend meetings

Thank you

Reply:

During the specified period between 01 January 2021 and to the current date in 2024, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has not received sponsorships, donations, or any transfers for lawfare and for any other purposes from Qatari Iranian and/or Russian organ of state, organisation and/or resident.

Thank you

Reply:

The Department is not aware of any other projects that were launched together with Silapha Wellness Intervention programme, however, the Department had two other projects that were implemented in conjunction with Silapha, namely Golekane & Baqhawafazi.

The Golekane campaign is a call to action for men to end GBVF. The program also focuses on the mentorship of the boy child. To date the program has implemented projects such as the Walk Fit for Purpose and the Golekane men’s conference. The Golekane campaign has also worked with NGOs such as Frida Hartley, Love Life and POWA.

Baqhawafazi is a campaign that raises awareness against gender-based violence and femicide through the use of mediums such as Film, theatre and spoken word. The campaign has also implemented projects such as the Survivors guild in both Gauteng and Mpumalanga.

Over and above that the Department has also supported the Nqoba iGBVF program which aims at enhancing and strengthening Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) interventions within the identified GBVF Hotspots in South Africa.

The programme focuses on establishing collective structures, strengthening social cohesion through trauma-informed training and capacitating Community-Based Organisations working within the GBVF sphere within the identified hotspots.

 

Thank you

Reply:

1(a). Boxing South Africa indicated that they are of the view that the CEO’s comments did not constitute an attack on the judiciary. Boxing SA is of the view that the CEO’s comments around the fact that there was no compliance with the regulations is factually and legally correct. The CEO stated in the same article that BSA respects the law therefore the allegation that he attacked the judiciary is incorrect.

Boxing SA further indicated that the South African Boxing Act, Act 11 of 2001 and the Boxing Regulations provide clarity in terms of processes and procedures used in the administration of boxing in the country. Thus, the Act and Boxing Regulations sets out various legal requirements that must be met by a promoter intending to stage a tournament.

The legal requirements are referred to as compliances within Boxing SA and no tournament can be staged without satisfying these requirements and the Sanctioning Committee, an independent body which approves tournaments checks applications for compliance. BSA indicates that these requirements had not been met by the

complainant. Amongst the requirements to be met before a tournament can be sanctioned or approved are the following:

1. Payment of purse monies of boxers and officials at least fourteen days
2. before a tournament.
3. Medical tests to be conducted on the participating boxers.
4. The Weigh-in to determine whether the boxers are evenly matched.

b). Given the above response, no need for action to be taken against the CEO has been identified.

(2). Boxing South Africa has indicated that Ms. Nomfundo Malinga instituted an application in the Pretoria High Court. The Application was in two parts:

Part A which was an urgent application to temporarily set aside her suspension pending the review of the Board’s decision to suspend her promoter’s licence.

Part B: To challenge BSA’s decision not to sanction the planned boxing tournament due to non-compliance with BSA regulations. There is nothing to appeal as the tournament did not take place and the suspension of the promoter’s license has been temporarily withdrawn pending the hearing.

 

Reply:

(1). The promoters have a prerogative of naming conventions of their tournaments so long the naming will not jeopardize the image of the department as well that of Boxing SA. In line with the mission to strengthen social cohesion boxing promoters are encouraged to intertwine tournaments with national days that are celebrated and commemorated within the country. However, it is upon the promoter and the respective family or organization, in this case the Nelson Mandela Foundation to agree on the usage of the name and the agreement will be between the promoter and the respective family. Promoters are urged to respect the families and approval must be sought before the usage of the name for a tournament.

(2). An investigation on the matter will be conducted and relevant information will be acquired from all parties concerned in a quest to make informed decision on steps to be followed. Any abuse of public funds requires relevant government law enforcing entities to act and the perpetrators must face the might of the law.

(3). A new board of Boxing South Africa, comprising of credible personalities was appointed and assumed duty on 12 December 2023. One of the key main mandates

and priorities is to bring stability and order in the boxing fraternity, provide credible leadership, governance, and administration. The board is also tasked to build a financially stable and self-sustainable entity that will not only rely on government grant but also attract sponsors and bring back the glory days of boxing.

 

Reply:

(1). The Department has not assisted any persons to attend events inside the country or outside the country as ambassadors of SA Sport and hence we are not able to respond to;

• the number of persons that are currently supported,
• how they are selected
• , the cost and dates related to the support.
• The date the financial support started to up to the latest specified date.
• A revolving policy that benefits more than just the persons who have been selected.
• How are persons allowed to apply to the department to become ambassadors and
• The relevant details: what criteria were used to choose the specified person as a super fan who is seen at rugby, cricket and netball matches with her trademark face painting, isicholo hat and flag colours of the republic?

 

Reply:

(a). The Department have through the COVID 19 pandemic recovery plan aim to focus on the following Five Critical Priority Areas:

• • Job creation using the employment multiplier model through the PESP 2&3
  • Creating an enabling environment through the Regulatory Environment
  • Enabling access to local and international markets
  • Monetisation of the cultural, creative and sport industries
  • Enhancement of the arts, culture; heritage and sport tourism as well as the Cross-cutting priority of reviving the economy through Infrastructure development through the DSAC contribution.

(b)(c). The department have through the following programmes that focussed on the above priorities

(i) continue to support the CCI industry in 2022/23 utilizing PESP Budget allocation; using the employment multiplier model, where creatives are funded to create work for themselves. The allocation to the implementing agencies and the focus areas are as follows:

National Arts Council (NAC): to be responsible for disbursement to the following domains.

Performance and celebrations (including the area of theatre, dance opera); Design and Creative services; Books and Publishing (including indigenous language development and promotion); and Public Art.

National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF): Audio-Visual and Interactive Media.

National Heritage Council (NHC): Cultural Heritage.

National Museum (Arts Bank): Visual Arts and craft.

Business Arts South Africa: Support to SMMEs and/or Cooperatives in the Creative industry.

In PESP 3, 44 329 Jobs have been created over the target of 24 400 jobs and in PESP 4 the target number of jobs is 37 800 and to date, 11 478 jobs have reported, and the number will increase, and some projects are currently implementing their projects under PESP4 which should indicate that PESP has contributed to the growth and sustainability of the CCI sector.

(ii) Enabling the creative industry to thrive Creating spaces in the provinces that were previously marginalized. e.g. declaration of Nelson Mandela Theatre Complex in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape provided with a budget of R13m for operational costs; and R17m for infrastructure and maintenance in the Northern cape; refurbishment has been completed, resulting into a fully-fledged theatre space in Northern Cape; construction that will commence in Limpopo with DSAC contributing R7m in 2022/23 financial year. For the Limpopo Theatre, a contractor has been appointed and will be on site by Mid-January 2024 to commence with construction. Preferred locations have been identified in Mpumalanga. Govan Mbeki LM has appointed a service provider to assess the building. In the Northwest and engagements continue with those Provinces Northwest Theatre/Mmabana Arts Centre completed a feasibility study. DSAC has included this project in the UAMP for 2024/25 until 2026/27.

(iii) CCI Masterplan: The CCI Masterplan was approved by Cabinet in August 2022. A roll-out of the implementation plan was undertaken in all 9 provinces through Information Sessions with the sector and provincial representatives. National IGR and stakeholder meetings are attended once a month to strengthen the implementation of the Key Action Programs; and DSAC reports there with all National departments. The approved CCI Masterplan has also been aligned with the ACPD Annual Performance Plan.

(iv) Outcome of the Davis Commission: Department of Sport and Recreation led by Sports Trust and Department of Arts and Culture together with BASA developed a detailed submission requesting for the inclusion of arts and culture and sport as eligible activities for public benefit consideration . Based on the submission, Schedule 9 was amended to include these activities amongst others. Sport. Arts and culture are now eligible for consideration as public benefit organisations and if approved can administer donation certificates for specific taxation exemption and tax rebates.

(v) Skills transfer/ Capacity building: Academies project implementing skills transfer project including this includes Incubator Programs in Performing Arts Institutions. Allocated budget towards Incubator and Training Programs where artists are provided with practical skills that enable them to grow their businesses changes per year as it forms part of the branches Annual Performance Plan (APP). These are run in different Performing Arts Institutions throughout the country; and also conducted by different Academies. The 2023/24 APP includes the 22 Capacity building which is budgeted at a total of R68.7m.

(d). In the 2023/2024 financial year.

(e). PESP: To date, a sum of R412 818 600 million has been transferred to the 5 implementing agencies out of the R459,2 million PESP allocation for the 2023/2024 financial year. A total of R46 381 400 remains to be disbursed to entities.

Skills Development programmes are budgeted annually and the 2023/24 budget was R 68 750 000.

Nelson Mandela Theatre Complex in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape was provided with a budget of R13m for operational costs; and R17m for infrastructure and maintenance in the Northern Cape Theatre. The Limpopo Theatre construction the DSAC contributing R7m in 2022/23 financial year.

Reply:

The response to question from Boxing SA is as follows:

(1). Most promoters owe Boxing South Africa due to the income declarations that are made after tournaments through affidavits in terms of the Boxing Regulations. All promoters who owe Boxing South Africa are subject to this arrangement and therefore none of the debts by the promoters have prescribed, hence Boxing SA is not able to take any action based on this arrangement.

(a). The National Professional Boxing Promoter Associations is an independent structure of licensed promoters established in terms of section 28 of the Boxing Act.

This structure operates on its own constitution, and it held elections of its leadership, and all the office bearers were duly elected in an open and transparent process. It is not for BSA to dictate who are supposed to be the leaders of the structure. As far as the question around the boxer is concerned, it must be noted that contracts between Promoters and Boxers are concluded without the intervention of Boxing South Africa and so are disputes arising therefrom.

(b). The Board resolved to establish a sub-committee that looks at the tournament applications of each promoter and each promoter that is owing Boxing South Africa appears before the committee to commit to some arrangement in terms of which the debt can be settled and once this arrangement is in place the promoter is then allowed to stage tournaments subject to payment arrangements as approved by this committee.

(2). Boxing SA responded as follows: It would amount to fallacy to hold the view that Boxing South Africa penalises licensees upon postponement of its programmes. Boxing South Africa held its second phase training timeously and those who were successful in the assessments have been duly licensed.

(3)(a&b). The Board established a committee in terms of section 7 of the Boxing Act and this committee was established based on experience and therefore there was no need for
the training to be outsourced.

 

 

Reply:

The following responses were provided by Boxing SA.

Most promoters owe Boxing South Africa due to the income declarations that are made after tournaments through affidavits in terms of the Boxing Regulations.

(a)(i)&(II) The Board resolved to establish a sub-committee that looks at the tournament applications of each promoter and each promoter that is owing Boxing South Africa appears before the committee to commit to some arrangement in terms of which the debt can be settled and once this arrangement is in place the promoter is then allowed to stage tournaments subject to payment arrangements as approved by this committee.

(b). All promoters who owe Boxing South Africa are subject to this arrangement and therefore none of the debts by the promoters have prescribed.

(2). Boxing SA indicates that it is not correct to suggest that a promoter has been banned from staging tournaments. It is only those who have not made suitable arrangements with BSA that have not been allowed to stage tournaments.

(a). The National Professional Boxing Promoter Associations is an independent structure of licensed promoters established in terms of section 28 of the Boxing Act. This structure operates on its own constitution, and it held elections of its leadership, and all the office bearers were duly elected in an open and transparent process. It is not for BSA to dictate who are supposed to be the leaders of the structure. As far as the question around the boxer is concerned, it must be noted that contracts between Promoters and Boxers are concluded without the intervention of Boxing South Africa and so are disputes arising therefrom.

(b). Tournaments are cancelled for a variety of reasons, and it is not a breach of any Rule of BSA to cancel tournaments as cancellation of tournaments happens routinely across the world and therefore there is no basis to charge any promoter noncancellation tournaments. In fact, the Boxing regulations recognises that boxing tournaments may be cancelled or be postponed for a variety of reasons.

 

Reply:

(1). The Minister announced the appointment of the new board on Tuesday, 28 November 2023. The new board assumed it’s duties on 12 December 2023 whilst the erstwhile board concluded its term on Monday, 11 December 2023. The new board has a responsibility to review all outstanding legal and disciplinary matters not concluded by the previous board before the end of the financial year 2023/2024 ending in March 2023

(2)(a). The Qithi matter has been settled.

(3)(a&b). Provincial Departments are at liberty to implement sport programmes that benefit their athletes and communities. However, Boxing and all National Federations must get to a point where they run with limited support from government, this requires corporate investment. To this end, BSA has committed to developing a funding model for the sector. BSA is expected to provide details of this strategy (operating model) with due dates. This will be shared with Parliament as soon as BSA provides these, a timeline of 31 March 2024 has been set for this plan.

(4). BSA cannot interfere with contracts between promoters and the boxers. However, BSA will investigate the possibility of establishing minimum purse monies for specified bouts to ensure that there is no exploitation of boxers. There is a need to ensure that there is profitable business model for the sport of boxing, and this is part of the turnaround strategy that BSA is already implementing.

 

 

Reply:

Boxing South Africa has responded as follows to this question:

(1). Most promoters owe Boxing South Africa due to the income declarations that are made after tournaments through affidavits in terms of the Boxing Regulations. The Board resolved to establish a sub-committee that looks at the tournament applications of each promoter and each promoter that is owing Boxing South Africa appears before the committee to commit to some arrangement in terms of which the debt can be settled and once this arrangement is in place the promoter is then allowed to stage tournaments subject to payment arrangements as approved by this committee. All promoters who owe Boxing South Africa are subject to this arrangement.

(2)(a). No formal process with supporting evidence has been submitted to the Minister that warrants the Minister’s action within the ambit of his responsibilities within the legislative framework.

(3). The suspension of a board is based on the formal submission to the Minister of substantive reasons to display any misdemeanors. There has been no process to inform the Ministers decision to suspend the Board or initiate a full commission of enquiry into the administration of BSA.

 

Reply:

Boxing South Africa has indicated to the Department that the details of the settlement agreement shall be submitted to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee because the provision of the settlement prohibits Boxing South Africa from divulging the contents thereof. The Chairperson to take into cognizance the contents thereof and act accordingly.

Reply:

1a(i). Athletics South Africa( ASA) is one of the priority 16 Sport Codes and is therefore a beneficiary of the conditional grant that is accessed through provinces for sport events, competitions, capacity development for coaches, managers, technical staff, and other areas as identified by ASA and the respective provinces. Through the grant, DSAC supports ASA (through its affiliate South African Schools Athletics (SASA) to unearth new talent through the countrywide school’s athletics programme which starts at school/local level and culminates with a National Championship. The Department further funds ASA through transfer funds for the development of athletes, including support for international events. In 2021/22 the Department transferred R 6 million to ASA and in 2022/23 a transfer of R 4 650 000-00 has been allocated.

a(ii). The Department provides South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) with funding to deliver multi-coded teams to International Events only, e.g., Olympics, Paralympics, and Commonwealth Games. Further, SASCOC works with National Federations (NF) including Athletics South Africa (ASA) to prepare and deliver the teams to these international events. The Department does not channel any support for the development of athletes through SASCOC but directly with the National Federations (NF).

Having engaged athletics, the poor performances of our athletes is attributed to dwindling financial resources and an inability to provide comprehensive support to athletes. This includes but is not limited to required services such medical support, training camps, support with competition costs, international travel for competition and suitable training facilities.

2(a). R 2 321 561-10 was spent.

(b)(i)(ii). A total of R 1 463 596-10 was spent on athletes and R 857 965-00 on officials as per the below tables.

AMOUNT SPENT ON ATHLETES
HEADING	AMOUNT
Accommodation and Meals Domestic	R 206,781.62
Flight - Domestic	R 119,252.75
Flight - International	R 668,598.00
Visa	R 42,273.00
Medical	R 69,850.00
Per Diems	R 72,000.00
Training Camps	R 257,097.23
Safeguarding	R 27,743.50
TOTAL	R 1 463 596-10

AMOUNT SPENT ON OFFICIALS
HEADING	AMOUNT
Accommodation and meals	R 97,700.00
Transport Domestic	R 26,880.00
Transport International	R 605,777.00
Visa	R 55,608.00
Per Diems	R 72,000.00
TOTAL	R 857 965-00

Reply:

These annual reports are submitted to PanSALB. PanSALB took a strategic decision to move from merely monitoring the compliance reports to evaluating Language Policy Implementation in terms of the Constitution, the Use of Official Languages Act, and PanSALB Act. This ensured a more qualitative approach from merely receiving reports to ensuring the substantiveness thereof.

It commissioned Language Policy Implementation Evaluation which was affected by National Treasury Regulations on tenders above R30 000. The service provider commenced a Language Policy Implementation Evaluation in March 2023. The service provider has been on the ground conducting data collection and assisting national departments with language policy implementation reporting. They have also been analysing the received Annual Language Reports received from the national departments and the report is expected to be released by the end of February 2024. This will provide a comprehensive list of compliant and submitted reports from national government departments.

(2) (i) The Department has not granted an exemption to any national government department since the Act does not provide for that.

(ii) There are no entities reporting to the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture that were granted exemptions in the past two years. Below are four other national public entities that were granted exemptions:

• South African Weather Service
• National Gambling Board
• South African National Biodiversity and.
• iSimangaliso Wetland Park

(iii) There are no state-owned enterprises that were granted exemptions.

(b) The reasons for granting the exemption were that these entities in terms of the

size is small and they have capacity challenges. They were not able to establish fully-fledged language units as the Use of Official Languages Act requires. They indicated that they would assign a senior employee to perform the functions of a language unit. In the past two years there is no entity reporting to the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture that was granted an exemption.

Reply:

1. There is no specific document as such that has been developed by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, however, section 12 of the Use of Official Languages Act and section 6 of its Regulations strictly guide the process on how exemption should be granted by the Minister.

2. The information provided below is based on the audited Annual Reports.

FINANCIAL YEAR	NO. OF CASES RECEIVED	NO. OF CASES RESOLVED	PERFORMANCE (%)
2018 -2019	25	4	16%
2019 - 2020	11	10	91%
2020 - 2021	9	9	100%
2021 - 2022	9	9	100%
2022-2023	13	12	92%

3. There are no complaints that came directly to the Department but there were complaints that were received by PanSALB in relation to official languages with South African Sign Language and isiZulu leading.

The complaints are also against both public and private sectors where retail industry is leading. The complaints here are mainly about spelling and orthographies of Previously Marginalised Languages.

In the public sector, complaints are about Language Policy Implementation, especially equitable treatment, and parity of esteem. Complaints in the Language in Education domain is leaning towards the language of instruction in former Afrikaans public schools. Complaints that were received around the previously marginalised languages are more on the spelling and orthographies, equitable treatment, and parity of esteem.

Reply:

(1). Yes, CCIFSA is funded on an annual basis by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. Budget allocations are as follows:

1. For 2020/21 no funding was given to CCIFSA.
2. R5 000 000.00 for 2021/22
3. R5 000 000.00 for 2022/23

(2). CCIFSA did not have an annual general meeting in the 2022/23 financial year due to its unfinished business of facilitating the hosting of the three outstanding Provincial Regional Conferences. To date, the following Provinces have hosted the Provincial Conferences namely Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu Natal, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga and Northwest.

(b) 2022/23 CCIFSA Audited Financial Statements are available at any time they a required through the Department.

(3). (a). CCIFSA Office bearers were elected on 21-23 August 2019

(b). The elections were conducted by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)

(c). The results were as follows:

• President: Ms Joy Mbewana (KZN
• Deputy President: Mr Johannes Msomi (MP)
• National Coordinator: Mr Luzuko Lukhohli (EC)
• Secretary General: Mr Ayanda Roda (FS)
• Deputy Secretary General: Mr Anenele Maki (WC)
• Treasury General: Mr Mangaliso Mtshula (NC)

Reply:

The foundation for shared values based on nonracialism and non-sexist, democracy, social justice, and a shared national identity was laid by the 1996 adoption of the Constitution as a national compact to transform and uproot our country from its divisive past. As a Compact, the Constitution set the democratic government on a path to heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice, and fundamental human rights.

The Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture, which oversees the implementation of the Priority 6 Social Cohesion Programme of Action, has several national identity-building and constitutional values-affirmation initiatives aimed at fostering national unity and a sense of pride in being South African.

To foster a national identity that is inclusive of all individuals and surpasses racial, ethnic, religious, and other social identity-related factors, the Department has implemented targeted initiatives to popularise national symbols like the flag in school projects, the #IamtheFlag campaign, awareness-raising workshops on national symbols and national orders based on our Passport of Patriotism, and the commemoration of all our national days. These initiatives offer prospects for genuine nation-building and a broad national identity, with national symbols serving as crucial markers for our shared identity that is founded on Constitutional values, cohesion, and pride in our country.

Further, the Department also implements several community engagement initiatives that are designed with the express purpose of reflecting and mobilising our communities around our shared values in our constitution. These programmes include the Community Conversations Programme, the Social Cohesion Advocates Programme, and the Moral Regeneration Programme. These programmes create opportunities for social dialogue around our constitutional values and the horizontality of human rights in our country. Further, these programmes create platforms for communities to address the social ills that are plaguing our communities such as Gender Based Violence and Femicide as well as the eroding levels of morality and values in our communities. They are also a platform for creating opportunities for interaction to create trust among those from diverse backgrounds, shared values, and a sense of belonging.

There is no doubt that our quest for a shared national identity which is a fundamental prerequisite for nation-building and social cohesion must necessarily be based on the iconography and overall heritage landscape that accurately reflects the demographics of our country as part of redress and restitution. In this regard, my department remains steered by the recommendation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to redress the past inequities, whilst integrating the previously marginalised heritage as a way to cultivate the prospects of authentic reconciliation and social cohesion. In this regard, the Department carries out the Heritage Legacy Project, whereby the Department has constructed several heritage sites and erected monuments and statues in pursuit of the transformation of the heritage landscape. For this MTSF period, these include the Sarah Baartmann Center of Remembrance; Winnie Mandela House in Brandfort; OR Tambo Legacy Project and the JL Dube Amphitheatre.

Further, through the South African Geographical Names Council, the Department continues to standardise the geographical names in South Africa as a way to redress, correct and transform our country with major towns recently changed such as Gqeberha from Port Elizabeth, Kariega from Uitenhage, Qonce from King Williamstown, and Winnie Mandela from Brandfort, and major airports having been recently changed that include the King Phalo from East London and Chief Dawid Stuurman from Port Elizabeth. These national identity-building initiatives are very important in guaranteeing that nation-building and social cohesion are not merely theoretical concepts without the potential to impact inherited racial inequality which is antithesis to the shared values as espoused in the Constitution of our republic.

In addition to the aforementioned programmes, which are essential for forging a national identity based on our shared values, the Department is currently finalising a National Social Compact for Social Cohesion and Nation Building in partnership with key stakeholders. Under this initiative, social actors from the public sector, labour, business, and civil society will engage in meaningful dialogue that will see each of the social partners playing a significant and meaningful role in promoting social cohesion and nation-building.

The Department and other important stakeholders are planning to present this social compact before the social partners at NEDLAC before bringing it before Cabinet for approval. It is expected that the resulting Social Compact will inspire the important sectors of our society such as business, media, and civil society to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of social cohesion and nation-building, with the understanding that these goals cannot be achieved solely by government and that a fundamental agreement outlining the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved in society is necessary.

Reply:

Yes, my department is able to maintain and build heritage sites. The department allocates Capital Works budget over the MTEF for the maintenance and repairs of our heritage sites that fall under the management of this department’s (VOTE 37).

Through the User Asset Management Plan (UAMP), system, institutions send their maintenance and new construction plans to this department for approval by National Treasury. Once approved the department releases the CAPEX funds via allocation letters. These include recently developed and constructed museums that my department has, since inception of the National Legacy Project, in 1998, developed and constructed, such as the Luthuli Museum in Stanger, the O R Tambo Memorial Garden in Nkantolo, Matola Raid Museum in Maputo Mozambique, the Nelson Mandela Statue at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, Samora Machel Monument in Mbuzini, Freedom Park in city of Pretoria, the restoration of the Winnie Madikizela Mandela House in Brandfort, Inqghuza Hill Museum in Lusikisiki, in the Eastern Cape to name a few.

 

The department has also contributed towards the completion of the following heritage sites, the Steve Biko Centre in Ginsberg, and Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Museum & Learning Centre in Graaff-Reinet. Currently, the department has responded to a call to stabilise Liliesleaf Museum which was closed due to Covid-19 and other internal operational challenges.

The department ensures the transformation of the heritage landscape to commemorate, celebrate, conserve, and preserve the history and heritage sites of the previously marginalized South Africans. The new heritage structures that are developed under the ambit of the National Legacy Project, and are reflective of the history of all our heroes, heroines and history are:

• DR. JL DUBE AMPHITHEATRE: Phase 1 of the project was completed by the 31st of March 2023. The completed scope includes the construction of the roof covering, staircases and ramp, spectator ablutions, electrification, parking areas, civil works around the facility, tuck-shop and storage area, and spectator seating area.
• Phase 2, a Professional Service Provider has been appointed to finalize design work. Phase 2 scope includes the construction of the ablution area, the waiting area, security guardhouse, fencing, theatre floor polishing, paving around the facility, landscaping and storm water management, stage roof, stage lighting and sound system, access road, bus parking area, and the installation of plastic chairs on the concrete seating.
• WINNIE MADIKIZELA MANDELA BOMBED CLINIC: The Professional Service Provider was appointed in January 2023. Department of Sport, Arts and Culture is in the process of appointing the contractor. The tender bid closed on the 26th of October 2023. The scope of work includes the construction of enclosure side walls (see-through glass wall and solid brick wall), construction of the cover roof, electrification of the facility, paved walkway, and development of the exhibition work.