Introduction
Ladies and gentlemen of the media good morning, It is my pleasure indeed to be able to spend time where we report and reflect on our mandate as the Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation.
May I also take this opportunity to thank all of you, for your cooperation during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, I am grateful of the harmonious relationship we share and hope it will grow from strength to strength.
When the 1st quarter of the 2010/11 financial year began, the whole nation was only 71 days away from the hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The 2010 political task team was formed at provincial level and charged with the responsibility of providing political leadership to the preparations towards this greatest sporting event.
We were mindful of the fact that during the Confederations Cup in June 2009, the country had performed very well in the deliverance of that event, though there were challenges in the area of the transportation of football supporters to and from the stadia.
We were also aware that the major stadium, Soccer City had not been fully tested on fast it could be filled and emptied given that it was a centre stage for the opening and closing ceremonies. We had never conducted any full scale dry run though our plans on paper were seamless.
Many people were reminding us about the perfection with which the previous World Cup events were executed in Japan/Korea and Germany. How efficient their transport system was. We had our challenges in terms of crime, industrial actions such as the municipal and Transnet workers with other looming in the horizon. We were also not feeling our masses behind us.
Gauteng is a government of action so together with the municipalities we did not leave anything to chance. We conduct in loco inspections regularly to satisfy ourselves, we did that without any hesitation as we believed that Gauteng was holding the key to the success of the event.
We tested our safety and security plans, our transport operational plans, our health, medical, emergency services, traffic management plans. We ensured that the construction of the major roads was fast tracked and those linked to the critical areas such as Sandton and Nasrec where the FIFA headquarters and International Broadcast Centre were respectively situated were completed in time.
Roads such as the R24 from the OR Tambo International Airport were beautified and our visitors could not believe that this is part of Africa they have always read and heard about. No lions, elephants, buffalos, rhinos and leopards were roaming the streets.
When our visitors arrived in Gauteng, our people received them with the smile showing the humility and humanity (Ubuntu) that Africa is known for. Everybody could feel it.
Everybody was Flying the Flag high at the workplaces, in the streets, in the public spaces and at their private dwellings. Never before had all the people of South Africa, black and white, have been so united behind Bafana Bafana.
Who can forget the multitudes that descended on the fan parks and public viewing areas on the opening day of the tournament?
Our buses and a big salute to the Rea Vaya BRT, our trains, our Gautrain and our taxis were a marvel to watch when transporting people, our traffic police on directing vehicles, our health workers when treating those that needed help, our facilities including hospitals, stadia, hotels, malls, courts were comparable to those of the developed countries.
South Africa is now in the hearts and minds of the millions if not billions of the people of the world. It’s now up to us to keep that flame burning for the long-term benefits of our people.
Gauteng Pale Ya Rona Carnival:
This flagship project was brought forward from September to coincide with the 2010 World Cup. It saw an increased international participation in the parade including the National Minister of Arts and culture Ms Lulu Xingwana. We had participants from Nigeria, Spain, Brazil, Mozambique, Germany, other provinces of South Africa.
Of most importance is that through the programme accredited Media, Advertising, Publishing, Printing and Advertising Sector Education and Training Authority (MAPPPSETA) training was provided to 44 choreographers.
The South African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) also provided training in the music industry for 50 DJs. The winning DJ in the carnival programme received R50 000 worth of DJ equipment and the first 2 singles of the carnival album would receive a percentage of sales and royalties which will benefit the DJs thereof.
This contributes to the goal to create an enabling environment which contributes to sustainable livelihoods for artists and crafters and thereby going a long way in achieving one of the provincial priorities to stimulate redistributive economic development to create decent work, sustainable livelihoods and reduce income inequality.
2010 School Holiday programme
Realising that the learners would be away from school for a longer period during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, an integrated School Holiday programme which involved the Sport, arts, culture and recreation hubs together with Education Department and assisted by the Departments of Roads and Transport, Health and Social Development, Community Safety we ensured that a number of kids do not just roam the streets but are engaged in social activities and are also assisted in their school work in preparation for the exams. About 396 000 learners participated in this programme.
Gauteng Gateway 2010 campaign
The quarter started with a 2010 Gateway Summit where the Gauteng provincial government had gathered stakeholders and organisations to report and showcase its state of readiness for the world cup.
Among the great achievements of this campaign was the establishment of the International Media Centre in Sandton. This is where the Gauteng brand was prominent. Press and media conferences were held and Gauteng Brand beamed all over the world.
Rugby Super 14 Series
The cooperation between the rugby fraternity, City of Tshwane, City of Johannesburg and other major stakeholders led to the first rugby match to be staged in Orlando or in black area on 22 May 2010 followed by the Final on 29 May 2010 between the Bulls and Stormers. This paved way for the pitch at Loftus to get ready for the World Cup matches.
National days
We have successfully commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Sharpeville massacre on 21 March 2010. This event had a national profile as it was led by the Deputy President of the country and leaders of various political parties. The event was held in partnership with Sedibeng district municipality.
This year's Freedom Day celebrations again attracted many people to the Union Buildings to celebrate our hard-won freedom. The event was characterised by a display of a rainbow nation. The event was hosted together with national and the City of Tshwane Metropolitan municipality.
The 34th anniversary commemorations of 16 June 1976 student uprisings event also coincided with the 2010 FIFA World Cup. This year's activities were characterised by a Youth Carnival held in Tshwane. The day's activities culminated with a public viewing of the match between Bafana Bafana and Uruguay at Moretele Park. The event was successfully organized in partnership with the City of Johannesburg and the City of Tshwane.
Upcoming events
We will launch the Heritage Month including the drive by the Gauteng Geographical Names Council to visit communities of Gauteng on the subject of name changes on Thursday, 2 September.
Some of the activities earmarked to happen during the Heritage Month include a colloquium on language development, Know your Province campaign, launch of the Oral History programme in Sedibeng, School Carnivals in Magaliesburg, and Heritage Day on 24 September.
As part contributing to a safer environment the department will launch a Learn to Swim programme targeted at young children and the youth on 10 September in Pimville in Soweto.
This is to ensure that every child in Gauteng is a swimmer and thereby curb child drowning incidents which plagued the province over the years. Through this programme our aim is not only to ensure that our children are water safe, but also to accelerate the process to transform swimming in the province.
Overall, we are happy with the progress made in achieving what we set out to do during this financial year and beyond until 2014. We believe through the fast tracking of implementation we will meet our objectives as a department and the community's satisfaction.
I thank you.
For further enquiries please contact:
Nomvula Khalo
Cell: 082 401 4914
Source: Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Gauteng Provincial Government
