The KZN Department of Arts, Culture, Sport & Recreation recognises the fact that arts and sports play a vital role not only for entertainment, but in uniting people and form a fundamental tool in achieving the objectives of the ‘Millennium Development Goals.’ it is a universal experience that during any sporting or arts event people forget about their differences and pay more attention and focus on their respective teams or artist. For instance, how the hosting of the FIFA World Cup in 2010 created a national moment for South Africa, is still fresh in the memory of the nation and the world.
KZN MEC, Mrs. Ntombikayise Sibhidla-Saphetha, on the 18th of September 2013 through her Strategic Delivery Framework, will launch a ground breaking innovation called Ward Based Intervention Program (WRIP), which is aligned to the holistic development of youngsters. She emphasised that “the youth and gender empowerment program is for encouraging alternative and responsible lifestyle as means of combating HIV/AIDS, obesity, crime, violence, teenage pregnancy in particular promoting national identity and social cohesion.”
Adding that, “our efforts to deliver effective arts, sport and recreation programs are inherently intertwined with our partners – other government departments, sport federation, arts and culture organisations, NGO’s and, community organisations. Working together will ensure that we develop a system that is progressive, robust and sustainable for decades to come. This partnership represent a powerful tool in our ability to adapt into changing environment, share responsibilities, effectively communication and continue expanding and strengthening arts and culture at community level,” says Sibhida-Saphetha
It is an anomaly in development terms that the circumstance of the majority of our youth seem to deteriorate further when compared to those experienced by their parents. This calls for an urgent coordinated intervention. This program is aimed at helping people between the ages of 7-25 wherever they are, whether it be in schools, communities, shelters, juvenile or correctional institutions. As such, “WRIP is designed to reach broad sectors of the population, by including marginalised groups, and affording them access to participate in the wider sporting community. This Framework recognises the significant part that sports plays in the nation’s culture, leisure time, health, economy and education. Youth directly involved will benefit,”
The initiative will also see musicians, renowned musicians training young people at ward level, for the launch we see the roll out to about 200 wards throughout the province. Each district municipality will benefit, as the department of Arts and Culture KZN is procuring all musical instruments, each district municipality would be assisted to form a brass band, a fully equipped marimba band and drum majorette.
This initiative is going help in nurturing youngsters in becoming physically and mentally fit. It’s going to show them how important they are not only within their communities but to the nation as whole. “The sum of these activities makes up a nation’s physical culture – play, fitness, sport, dance and so on. As the department has integrated this WRIP into a broader framework of development goals, we anticipate that sport will constitute an additional vehicle, mechanism or tool for advancing sustainable development amongst the youth,” says Sibhida-Saphetha.
NB: The Service Delivery Model included here shows how by partnering with LoveLife, the National Youth Development Agency and other NGOs, the departments intend to use arts, culture, sport and recreation as means to develop citizenship values in young people and to teach them how to make a valuable contribution to their communities. WRIP will also create platforms for the youth to learn and play and use enticing methods to get them attracted to activities that will contribute to life-long learning. Promote arts and culture as a tool for enhancing economic opportunities and creating job opportunities.
"We will advertise soon on the newspapers to call all musicians, especially legends who will train young people in different parts of the province, WRIP will draw wisdom from all artists in the province to ensure that it is a resounding success" says Sibhidla.
Enquiries:
Lethukuthula Mtshali
Senior Manager Communication and IT
Cell: 081 037 8321
