ATC220810: Report of the Select Committee on Education and Technology, Sports, Arts and Culture on Budget Vote 37: Sport, Arts and Culture (2022/23), dated 10 August 2022

NCOP Education and Technology, Sports, Arts and Culture

Report of the Select Committee on Education and Technology, Sports, Arts and Culture on Budget Vote 37: Sport, Arts and Culture (2022/23), dated 10 August 2022

The Select Committee on Education and Technology, Sport, Arts and Culture (hereafter, the Committee), having considered Budget Vote 37: Sport, Arts and Culture and the 2022/2023 Annual Performance Plan (APP) of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (the Department), reports as follows: 

  1. Introduction

After the Minister of Finance has presented the Budget, the Committee should call the Department to present its Annual Performance Plan (APP). The Committee shall scrutinise the Department’s plans to achieve its planned targets against the allocated budget. The Committee can also check whether the Department has followed through on its undertakings made for the previous year and whether it has appropriately spent taxpayers’ money. This is in line with the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 and the Rules of Parliament that mandates the Committee to oversee the activities and performance of the Department. After Members of each House of Parliament (National Assembly and National Council of Provinces) have approved Budget Vote 37, the Minister will then proceed to spend the money as budgeted. Therefore, it is vital for the Committee to approve this Budget Vote.

The purpose of this report is, therefore, to account for work done by the Committee in considering the 2022/23 Annual Performance Plan (APP) and budget of the Department in accordance with Section 27(1) of the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act. No 29 of 1999), and as referred by the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) to the Committee in terms of Rule 338 for consideration and reporting.

The 2022/23 APP as well as budget of the Department was considered against the background of key government policy documents, including, amongst others, the National Development Plan (NDP), the 2019 – 2024 Medium Term Strategic Framework (MTSF), and the 2022 State of the Nation Address (SONA). The Committee had a briefing session to consider the Strategic Plan and the APP of the Department on 22 June 2022.

This report, therefore, gives a brief summary of the presentation made by the Department to the Committee, focusing mainly on the Department’s 2022/23 APP, the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) allocations, and the overview of allocations per programme. The report also provides the Committee’s key deliberations and recommendations relating to Budget Vote 37.

 

  1. Vote 37: Sport, Arts and Culture

The 2019-2024 MTSF forms the third five-year implementation phase of the NDP. The framework aims to ensure policy coherence, alignment and coordination across Government plans as well as alignment with the budgeting process. For the Sixth Administration, the President His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in June 2019, identified seven Government priorities. The seven Government priorities, as contained in the 2019-2024 MTSF, are listed below and the ones to which the Department will contribute are highlighted:

 

  • Priority 1: Building a capable, ethical and developmental state
  • Priority 2: Economic Transformation and Job Creation
  • Priority 3: Education, Skills and Health
  • Priority 4: Consolidating the Social Wage through Reliable and Quality Basic Services
  • Priority 5: Spatial Integration, Human Settlements and Local Government
  • Priority 6: Social Cohesion and Safe Communities
  • Priority 7: A Better Africa and World

 

The purpose of 2022 budget is to ensure the following:

  • A comprehensive response, allocations over the MTEF period have been carefully balanced to respond directly to the effects of the pandemic while aiming to grow the economy; and
  • Allocations are aimed at funding economic relief measures to the most vulnerable while also supporting programmes that contribute to South Africa’s economic recovery.

 

Composition of Government spending is as follows:

  • Consolidated expenditure amounts to R2.2 trillion in 2022/23, R2.2 trillion in 2023/24 and R2.3 trillion in 2024/25, and is expected to decrease at an average annual rate of 1.2 per cent in real terms over the MTEF period.
  • Main budget expenditure increases in nominal terms from R2 trillion in 2022/23 to R2.1 trillion in 2024/25. This constitutes an average annual decrease of 1 per cent in real terms over the MTEF period.

 

In his 2022 Budget Speech, the Minister of Finance drew attention to the following, amongst other key points:

  • The South African economy has not been insulated from global developments.
  • The country has revised its economic growth estimate for 2021 to 4.8 per cent, from 5.1 per cent at the time of the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS).
  • This revision reflects a combination of the impact of changes in the global environment, along with the unique challenges the country faces.
  • Commodity prices, which have supported economic recovery, slowed in the second half of 2021.
  • Violent unrest in July 2021, and restrictions imposed to manage the third wave of COVID-19 further eroded the gains made in the first half of the year.
  • Industrial action in the manufacturing sector, and the re-emergence of load shedding, also slowed the pace of the recovery.
  • Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 2.1 per cent is projected for 2022. Over the next three years, GDP growth is expected to average 1.8 per cent.

 

2.1.      2022/23 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) Budget: Vote 37

The total budget allocation for the 2022/23 financial year is R6.29 billion. The table below reflects the budget allocation for the 2022/23 financial year and over the medium term.

Table 1: Overall Budget Allocation 2021/22 – 2024/25

 

 

R million

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

2024/25

Total

Total

Total

Total

MTEF allocation

 

1: Administration

Purpose: Provide strategic leadership, management and support services to the Department.

458,2

453,2

454,9

474,8

2: Recreation Development and Sport Promotion

Purpose: Support the provision of mass participation opportunities, the development of elite athletes, and the regulation and maintenance of facilities.

1 467,3

1 462,8

1 482,7

1 549,4

3: Arts and Culture Promotion and Development

Purpose: Promote and develop arts, culture and languages, and implement the national social cohesion strategy.

1 287,3

1 749,8

1 778,2

1 375,5

4: Heritage Promotion and Preservation

Purpose: Preserve and promote South African heritage, including archival and heraldic heritage. Oversee and transfer funds to libraries.

2 534,6

2 629,3

2 631,5

2 749,8

Total expenditure estimates

5 747,3

6 295,1

6 347,2

6 149,5

Source: National Treasury ENE, 2022

The following points are for noting when considering the budget over the medium term:

  • Total expenditure is expected to increase at an average annual rate of 2.3 per cent, from R5.7 billion in the 2021/22 to R6.1 billion in the 2024/25 financial years. Transfers and subsidies account for an estimated 80.7 per cent (R15.1 billion) of the Department’s spending over the medium term.
  • The Department’s total budget over the medium term is R18.8 billion after a baseline increase of R7.8 million for salary adjustments in the 2022/23 financial year, and a total of R902 million in the first two years of the MTEF period for the presidential employment initiative for the creative industry.

For the 2022/23 financial year, the total budget allocation is R6.29 billion. This is projected to increase to R6.34 billion in the 2023/24 and to R6.14 billion in the 2024/25 financial years. Transfers and subsidies amount to R5.08 billion, or 80.7 per cent, of the budget allocation for the 2022/23 financial year. When comparing the nominal amounts for the budget allocation across the MTEF, allocations show a year-on-year increase until 2023/24. However, when the projected inflation rates (2022/23: 4.5 per cent; 2023/24: 4.4 per cent; and 2024/25: 4.5 per cent) are taken into consideration, the cumulative growth rate between 2021/22 and 2024/25 is -2.1 per cent.

The highest allocation is towards Programme 4: Heritage Promotion and Preservation which will receive R2.6 billion or 41.8 per cent of the total budget to the Department. The lowest allocation is towards Programme 1: Administration, which will receive R453 million or 7.2 per cent of the total budget in 2022/23. The highest percentage change in the budget will be in Programme 3: Arts and Culture Promotion and Development with a 5.4% change in allocation.

 

2.2.      Programme analysis

The Department organises its expenditure under four programmes, and these are:

  • Programme 1: Administration (R453.2 million);
  • Programme 2: Recreation Development and Sport Promotion (R1.46 billion);
  • Programme 3: Arts and Culture Promotion and Development (R1.75 billion); and
  • Programme 4: Heritage Promotion and Preservation (R2.63 billion).

 

2.2.1     Programme 1: Administration

This programme plays an important role in giving effect to first priority of the NDP, that is, to build a capable, ethical and developmental state. This priority is also expressed in the MTSF for the five-year term 2019-2024, as a crucial mode that is required to achieve Vision 2030. The outputs delivered in Programme 1 contribute predominately to Outcome 3: Transformed, capable and professional sport, arts and culture sector and Outcome 5: Compliant and responsive governance.

Table 2: Programme 1 Budget Allocation 2021/22 – 2022/23.

Sub-programme

Budget

Nominal Rand change

Real Rand change

Nominal per cent change 2022/23

Real per cent change 2022/23

R million

2021/22

2022/23

2021/22 – 2022/23

2021/22 – 2022/23

1: Ministry

5,7

4,5

-1,2

-1,4

-21 %

-24,5%

2: Management

79,9

71,9

-8,0

-11,1

-10,%

-13,9%

3: Strategic Management and Planning

23,4

21,8

-1,6

1,6

-6,8%

-10,9%

4: Corporate Services

166,5

161,6

-4,9

-11,9

-2,9%

-7,1%

5: Office of the Chief Financial Officer

62,3

68,1

5,8

2,9

9,3%

4,6%

6: Office Accommodation

120,3

125,4

5,1

-0,3

4,2%

-0,3%

TOTAL

458,2

453,2

-4,8

-24,3

-1,0%

-5,4%

Source: National Treasury ENE, 2022/23

For the 2022/23 financial year, the budget allocation for this programme is R453.2 million. Compared to the previous financial year, this represents a nominal decrease of R5.6 million, or 1.2 per cent. When considering the inflation rate of 4.5 per cent into account, the allocation has decreased by R25.1 million or 5.5 per cent.

 

2.2.2     Programme 2: Recreation Development and Sport Promotion

The outputs delivered in Programme 2 contribute predominately to DSAC Outcome 2: A diverse, socially cohesive society with a common national identity; Outcome 3: Transformed, capable and professional sport, arts and culture sector; and Outcome 4: Integrated and accessible SAC infrastructure and information.

Table 3: Programme 2 Budget Allocation 2021/22 – 2022/23.

Sub-programme

Budget

Nominal Rand change

Real Rand change

Nominal per cent change 2022/23

Real per cent change 2022/23

R million

2021/22

2022/23

2021/22 – 2022/23

2021/22 – 2022/23

1: Wining Nation

278,9

263,8

-15,1

-26,5

-5,4%

-9,5%

2: Active Nation

708,9

727,8

18,9

-12,4

2,7%

-1,8%

3: Infrastructure Support

479,5

471,1

-8,4

-28,7

-1,8%

-6%

TOTAL

1 467,3

1 462,8

-4,5

-67,5

-0,3%

-4,6%

Source: National Treasury ENE, 2022/23

When compared to the 2021/22 financial year this programme’s budget allocation has decreased by R4.5 million or 0.3 per cent in nominal terms. However, over the medium term, the estimated allocation represents an increase of 1.8 per cent increase in nominal terms, but a 2.5 per cent decrease if inflation is adjusted.

The highest change in allocation was seen in sub-programme 1: Winning Nation which sees a reduction of R15.1 million from R278.9 million in 2021/22 to R263.8 million in 2022/23. This represents a real percent change in the budget of 9.5 per cent. Sub-programme 2: Active Nation is the only sub-programme with an increase in budget allocation from R708.9 million in 2021/22 to R727.8 million in 2022/23. This represents a 1.8 per cent real change in budget.

This programme will ensure that:

  • Athletes are supported through a range of interventions including the scientific support programme, the sports academies and the ministerial sports bursary programme;
  • People participate in organised sport and active recreation events;
  • The department embarks on sport and recreation promotion campaigns and events;
  • Schools, hubs and clubs provided with equipment and/or attire;
  • School sport is supported at district and national level;
  • National Federations meet 50 percent or more of all prescribed Charter transformation targets; and
  • The Department supports and facilitates the implementation of sport and heritage infrastructure projects.

 

 

2.2.3     Programme 3: Arts and Culture Promotion and Development

The outputs delivered in Programme 3 contribute to all five departmental outcomes. These outputs will ensure the following:

  • the promotion and development of official languages, and the support to efforts to increase qualified language practitioners through language bursaries;
  • the development of the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) through supporting practitioners and their enterprises in various cultural and creative sectors to gain access to both local and international markets;
  • capacity-building projects are financially supported to enhance the ability of practitioners and enterprises to participate effectively in various stages of the value chain of their sector;
  • provincial community arts development programmes have implemented that position and organise, community arts development to align with the overarching Government objectives of access and participation in the arts by South Africans; and
  • the coordination of international engagements on the continent and globally;
  • the promotion and support of programmes and partnership that foster nation-building and social cohesion, including Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and anti-femicide programmes;
  • the increase in support to the creative industry, including placement of artists in schools to promote and support arts education through the MGE Strategy.

Table 4: Programme 3 Budget Allocation 2021/22 – 2022/23.

Sub-programme

Budget

Nominal Rand change

Real Rand change

Nominal per cent change 2022/23

Real per cent change 2022/23

R million

2021/22

2022/23

2021/22 – 2022/23

2021/22 – 2022/23

1: National Language Services

56,0

54,8

-1,2

-3,6

-2,1%

-6,4%

2: Pan South African Language Board

120,9

123,1

2,2

-3,1

1,8%

-2,6%

3: Cultural and Creative Industries Development

114,3

121,9

7,6

2,4

6,7%

2,1%

4: International Cooperation

41,8

42,5

0,7

-1,1

1,7%

-2,7%

5: Social Cohesion and Nation Building

62,7

69,3

6,6

3,6

10,5%

5,8%

6: Mzansi Golden Economy

291,8

747,3

455,5

423,3

156,1%

145,1%

7: Performing Arts Institutions

300,3

318,6

18,3

4,6

6,1%

1,5%

8: National Film and Video Foundation

145,9

149,2

3,3

-3,1

2,3%

-2,1%

9: National Arts Council

153,5

123,0

-30,5

-35,8

-19,9%

-23,3%

TOTAL

 1 287,2

 1 749,8

462,6

387,2

35,9%

30,1%

Source: National Treasury ENE, 2022/23

For the 2022/23 financial year, the budget allocation for this programme is R1.7 billion, which is a R462 million increase from 2021/22. The highest allocation for Programme 3 was in sub-programme 6: Mzansi Golden Economy (MGE) which is allocated R747 million (or 42.7 per cent) of the total budget for the programme, an increase from R291 million in the 2021/22 financial year. The highest percentage change in allocation within the programme was also in sub-programme 6: Mzansi Golden Economy, shows a 20 per cent total change as the allocation. The lowest allocation in the programme is towards sub-programme 4: International Cooperation, which will receive a R41.8 million or 2.4 per cent allocation.

The allocation to sub-programme 9: National Arts Council (NAC) decreased from R153.5 million in 2021/22 to R123.0 million in 2022/23. This is in fact a result of the once-off allocation to the council in 2021/22 for the disbursement of Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP) funds to artists and artistic programmes. The declaration of the Mandela Bay Theatre Complex (MBTC) a cultural institution, brings the number of performing arts institutions reporting to the Department to six. This new entity will receive an allocation of R20 million for the 2022/23 financial year.

 

2.2.4     Programme 4: Heritage Promotion and Preservation

The purpose of this programme is to preserve and promote South African heritage, including archival and heraldic heritage as well as to oversee and transfer funds to libraries.

The outputs delivered in Programme 4 contribute predominately to Outcome 2: A diverse, socially cohesive society with a common national identity; Outcome 3: Transformed, capable and professional sport, arts and culture sector; and Outcome 4: Integrated and accessible SAC infrastructure and information.

Through its sub-programmes, this Programme will:

  • support and implement a range of projects including awarding heritage bursaries; books documenting Living Human Treasures; development of heritage policies, as well as the promotion of national identity utilising the flag at national days, major cultural and sporting events in schools, the Monument Flag Project and “I am the Flag” Campaign;
  • upgrade national archives infrastructure to address infrastructure challenges in relation to space, technology and processes;
  • financially support newly built and/or modular libraries; and
  • transform and standardise of geographical names.

Table 5: Programme 4 Budget Allocation 2021/22 – 2022/23.

Sub-programme

Budget

Nominal Rand change

Real Rand change

Nominal per cent change 2022/23

Real per cent change 2022/23

R million

2021/22

2022/23

2021/22 – 2022/23

2021/22 – 2022/23

1: Heritage Promotion

66,8

50,3

-16,5

-18,7

-24,7%

-27,9%

2: National Archive Services

57,3

62,2

4,9

2,2

8,6%

3,9%

3: Heritage Institutions

606,9

627,2

20,3

-6,7

3,3%

-1,1%

4: National Library Services

143,1

146,6

3,5

-2,8

2,5%

-2,0%

5: Public Library Services

1 524,6

1 601,4

76,8

7,8

5,0%

0,5%

6: South African Heritage Resources Agency

58,7

62,8

4,1

1,4

7,0%

2,4%

7: South African Geographical Names Council

4,9

5,3

0,4

0,2

8,2%

3,5%

8: National Heritage Council

72,2

73,6

1,4

-1,8

1,9%

-2,5%

TOTAL

2 534,6

2 629,3

94,7

-18,5

3,7%

-0,7%

Source: National Treasury ENE, 2022/23

Programme 4 receives the bulk of the total departmental budget, just over R2.6 billion or 44.1 per cent. When compared to the 2021/22 financial year this programme’s budget allocation has increased by R94.7 million, or 3.7 per cent in nominal terms. Adjusted for inflation, the programme however sees a real decrease of R18.5 million, or 0.7 per cent. There have been no major changes to the percentage allocation of the total programme budget per sub-programme with the exception of sub-programme 1: Heritage Promotion. This sub-programme’s allocation has decrease from R66.8 million in 2021/22 to R50.3 million in 2022/23 which represents a nominal decrease of 24.7 per cent of the allocation compared to the previous financial year.

Of this programme allocation for 2022/23, R2.5 billion, or 95.8 per cent is classified as Transfers and subsidies. Through this programme, the Department funds a significant number of entities including, but not limited to, national museums, the National Heritage Council (NHC), the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA), and public library services. The latter (sub-programme 5 in the budget structure), transfers funds to Provincial Departments for conditional allocations through the Community Library Services Grant (CLSG) for constructing and upgrading libraries, hiring personnel and purchasing library materials. Thus the CLSG accounts for the bulk of this programme.

The main aim of the CLSG is to transform urban and rural library infrastructure and services through targeting previously disadvantaged communities. This Grant primarily contributes to Government Priority 6: Social cohesion and safe communities. The allocation for 2022/23 is R1.6 billion, or 60.9 per cent, of the total budget allocation for this programme.

In respect of the CLSG, this grant is allocated to the relevant provincial department and administered by that department or through a service-level agreement with municipalities. In collaboration with provincial Departments of Education, the grant also funds libraries that serve both schools and the general public. Funds from this grant may also be used to enable the shift of the libraries function between provinces and municipalities. The grant is allocated R4.8 billion over the next three years which will see 96 new libraries built, 135 community libraries upgraded and 310 000 library materials procured.

The outputs for the CLSG for the 2022/23 financial year includes, among others:

  • 25 new library structures completed;
  • four new dual-purpose library structures completed;
  • 10 upgraded library structures completed;
  • 2 495 existing contract library staff maintained in all provinces; and
  • 68 new staff appointed at public libraries to support the shifting of the function to provinces.

 

  1. Committee Deliberations

The Committee, having considered and deliberated on the budget and Annual Performance Plan 2022/23 of the Department of Science and Innovation made the following key observations and findings:

  • Members commended the Department for the R44 million set aside for the cultural and creative industries, saying that this industry needs the funds to stay relevant. They saw this as an important intervention to take to combat the impact of COVID-19 and for these industries to survive.
  • Members raised a concern regarding the increase in the number of entities that have been experiencing operational funding shortages. They were happy that seven entities have been prioritised for funding in the 2022/23 budget, however Members wanted to know how the funding will be managed and reported on and how the Department would ensure that the Committee is kept up to date on the progress of the museums.
  • Members took note of the fact that the William Humphreys Art Gallery in Kimberley has been listed as one of the entities that will receive prioritized funding. They asked when the Art Gallery will receive the funding and the needed attention from the Department as well as how the money would be rolled out and a timeframe for the process.
  • Members raised a concern regarding the Barkly West museum in the Northern Cape Province that had closed down and the fact that its infrastructure was dilapidated. They enquired how much funding would be provided to restore this museum and if the Department was planning to restore it at all. The library in Barkly West had recently been closed down also, due to infrastructure and funding challenges. The question raised was how the Department planned to revive neglected libraries such as the Kimberley City Library.
  • Members further wanted to know what measures the Department would put in place to ensure that funding allocated to creative industries, libraries and museums will be managed effectively while ensuring that the independent beneficiaries are not affected by poor planning.
  • Members made reference to the StatsSA census briefing which raised issues of racism during the census. They asked the social cohesion programmes the Department is running in the Western Cape to assist the province in combatting racism. Members indicated that Census field workers were humiliated and the Department had an important role to play in social cohesion and uniting the people of South Africa.
  • Members raised their concern regarding artists who were unhappy with how the Department dealt with matters of compensation during the COVID-19 pandemic. They requested an update on the situation and asked if it has been resolved.
  • Members took note of the new indicator added in Programme One on Imbizos and enquired how the Department would ensure effectiveness of Imbizos on Sports, Arts, and Culture and how it will ensure that Imbizo resolutions are incorporated into the Department. Also, how much budget would be allocated to Imbizos since there has been a budget cut for Programme One.
  • Members also wanted to know if all critical vacancies have been filled in the Department, and if not, why the delay.
  • Another question raised was why the budget has been reduced for Programme Two and what effect the reduced budget will have on sports and recreation development.
  • Members were also concerned that the APP made no mention of how the Department planned to support athletics preparing for the 2024 Olympics. They asked if the Department has set aside programme funds for the 2024 Olympic Games to ensure that South Africa wins more medals.

 

  1. Responses by the Department

The Department gave the following responses:

  • The Barkly West Library was closed because it was being refurbished due to a leaking roof. The library is now fully operational since the reopening event in April this year. The capital budget is to support provinces in restoring, maintaining, and refurbishing facilities. The current budget is more about the maintenance budget for libraries and capital budget deals with construction and rehabilitation of libraries. The capital budget represents major expenditure and the current budget is for minor expenditure.
  • The museums across the country have been heavily affected by COVID-19, and some of them were experiencing challenges before the pandemic hit. Some financial intervention was provided to the William Humphreys museum. The Department has a committee that monitors the progress and allocation of funds to entities. The Department will monitor the annual and quarterly reports, and their monitoring committee will be doing quarterly visits to the entities and write up reports. Thereafter, the Department will assess the reports and address the issues highlighted in the reports.
  • On Barkly West Museum, the Department will have to engage with the provincial department and will ensure that the museum engages with the correct authority to identify and address the challenges to ensure that it is restored and fully functioning again.
  • Regarding social cohesion programmes, the Department does have social cohesion advocates who are spread across the various provinces. Some have become inactive and the Department is addressing this. Currently, they are left with two active social cohesion advocates in the Western Cape. The programmes are focused on communities, assisting communities with their leadership structures and how to deal with their social issues. The programmes are community leader empowerment programmes. However, there are programmes where they would go in and assist the local leadership structures on various issues such as conflict resolution, youth-focused interventions; GBVF programmes. The Department would address the concern about the Western Cape and create a programme to deal with the matter.
  • On racism, the Department highlighted that there are various challenges and it requires continuous efforts. The interventions that are being made may not achieve as much in the Western Cape. Racism is an issue that requires continuous programmes to combat this in the country. The Department would appreciate support from the wider community and they will need more social cohesion advocates to be able to implement more social cohesion programmes in the provinces. It will be challenging but social cohesion programmes are important. They are working on collaborating with the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) to address the issues of racism.
  • The Imbizo is a new indicator that the Department has introduced. They aim to have Imbizos in every province and the budget for the Imbizos falls under the budget for several initiatives. They are taking about 10% of the budget for these initiatives and allocating it towards Imbizos. This allows the Department a rough estimate of about R500 000 per province. The Department will partner up with their joint departments in every province to run and implement the Imbizos.
  • The Department has filled all the priority positions.
  • The Department has tried its best to deal with the challenges that the artists faced during COVID-19. Several interventions were put in place and support was provided. Around R811 million of support was provided as part of the relief fund. A smaller percentage of the funds was allocated to athletes, but more than 95% was allocated to the creative industry. The intervention was part of a relief fund that was divided into three phases. The Department partnered with the Department of Small Business Development and it contributed a percentage of the budget to meet the specific needs of the identified areas. Looking at the total relief fund, R179 million was made up from reprioritization of the budget and it has benefitted 21 000 creatives across the country. The total number of beneficiaries was more than 59 000, including enterprises that the Department has supported. The Department has done its best to support creatives in the industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Regarding budget reductions in Programmes One and Two, The National Treasury reduced the budget by R2 million from the 2021/22 financial year. Athletics is one of the priority sport codes and the Department does provide support to about 60 of the federations. The budget is limited in the support given to the federations. Around R117 million is transferred to more or less 60 sporting codes. In the case of athletes, around R5.7 million was allocated to them in the last financial year. The Department provided support for administration costs as well as support to programmes.
  • The responsibility of supporting the athletes for the 2024 Olympic Games lies with the respective federations as well as with the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) to prepare the athletes. The Department looks at the prospects for the different sports codes, the number of medals they have, and the prospect of athletes winning more medals. It provides support to SASCOC to identify the athletes who have the potential to win medals at international events, which include other sport codes, not just athletics. The Department, along with SASCOC, has already started to review Team South Africa’s performance in the last Olympics in preparation for the Paris Olympics in 2024. The analysis was done by an independent service provider and they are waiting on the review report. Many of the athletes who will be participating in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in July 2022 will also be competing in the Paris Olympics in 2024, which will serve as preparation. In support of athletics as a whole, if you look at the 22nd African Senior Championships in Mauritius this year, the Department committed to a system, and if one looks at the performance, South Africa had 89 athletes and 36 of them received podium places (9 gold, 13 silver, and 24 bronze), finishing second on the medals table behind Kenya. Interventions will continue to be made along with SASCOC to review the previous performance of the SA team. They will look at the review report and identify where interventions should be made. Thereafter, the Department will report back to the Committee. The Department also has a separate budget to assist SASCOC in the preparation of the team for the Paris Olympics. They would like to see a lot of change in the team in terms of performance and representation. The Department acknowledged that there are a number of constraints such as the budget; lack of infrastructure and availability of coaches. They are working with SASCOC to help provide short-term aid to athletes who have the potential to win medals to give them the opportunity and access to training. On funding support for the sector, the Department has had to engage with the provinces to see how they can support creatives and athletes in the provinces, as there are no clear indications of how much of the budget is allocated to each province. Provinces have to have their budgets for sports, arts, and culture to be able to support more people in the sector. The Department raised this with Treasury to get more funds to be able to provide funds to the provinces. They are currently addressing the issue to see how they will be able to form collaborations. They are trying to shift the focus from the national level to provincial level.

 

  1. Recommendations

The Committee, having considered the Budget and Annual Performance Plan 2022/23 of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, recommends the following:

  • The Department should put concentrated continuous efforts and planned interventions to combat Racism in Sports Arts and Culture in the Western Cape and that the planned interventions be tabled by the Department before end of September 2022.
  • The Department should ensure that they work in collaboration with the support of the community to address racism and implement more Social Cohesion programs in the Western Cape Province, 10 days after adoption of this report.
  • The Department should provide a detailed report outlining the names of organisations (21,000 creatives) that benefitted from the R179 million and state the specific provinces that benefitted from this partnership with the Department of Small Business Development.
  • The Department should provide the Committee, within 15 days of adoption of this report, the names of organisations / artists that were supported from R811 million as part of the COVID -19 relief fund, and also indicate which provinces were supported by this relief fund / intervention.
  • The Department should identify how it will set aside programme funds / re-prioritize funds to support the 2024 Olympic Games to ensure that South Africa participates and wins more medals.
  • The Department should ensure that Social Cohesion advocate programmes in all provinces are   restored and fully functioning again. Progress Report on this aspect to be tabled to the Committee before the end of the 4th quarter.
  • That the Department should provide the Committee with status report in relation to progress made to address conflict resolution, youth-focused interventions; GBVF programmes within 60 days of adoption of this report.

 

  1. Conclusion

Having satisfied itself in its engagement with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture on their Annual Performance Plan and the Budget, the Select Committee on Education and Technology, Sport, Arts and Culture reports that it has concluded its deliberations thereon.

 

 

 

Report to be considered