Chairperson;
Deputy Minister: SRSA, Honourable Mr. Gert Oostuizen;
Members of the Nine Executive Councils (MEC’s) for Sport and Recreation in the Republic;
The Director-General: SRSA, Mr Alec Moemi;
Leadership of SASCOC, Mr Gideon Sam and Mr Tubby Reddy;
Head of Departments of various Provincial Sport and Recreation Departments present here;
SRSA Senior Management Services’ Staff present here;
Media organisations that are here today;
Ladies and gentlemen;
Comrades and Friends;
On Sunday, the 25 March 2012, a group of teammates from the Motherwell Rugby Football Club were on a rugby training session in Motherwell, Port Elizabeth. After an intense training session in preparation for the 2012 Rugby Easter Weekend Tournaments that will take place Cape Town from the 6to 8April 2012; the squad went to cool-off in the waters of Port Elizabeth Beach.
On this inauspicious day in the life of these young men, while swimming, a strong sea wave engulfed them and made way with six (6) of the rugby players. Paramedics and SAPS Searching team are still searching for the bodies of the remaining five players. It is presumed that all players have drowned and all have been presumed dead.
I would like to take this opportunity to request the meeting to stand up and observe a moment of silent to pay tribute to these sons of the soil. May their souls rest in peace! Thank you.
Ladies and Gentlemen, let us take this opportunity to welcome you all to this first meeting of the Ministry of Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) with all the Members of Provincial Executive Councils (MECs) responsible for Sport and Recreation in our country.
This year our athletes will be taking part in the 2012 London Olympics in June. Preparations are underway; our National Federations (NFs) and the South African Sport Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) are working hard to see to it that all athletes are ready for the competitions and that they are well prepared for journey to the United Kingdom (UK). SRSA has already contributed an amount of R34 million towards the preparations and the ‘Road to London’.
In addition to the SRSA contribution to the London Olympics preparation; the Lottery Board has shown its unwavering support to Team South Africa by contributing an amount of forty seven million, five hundred thousand rands towards the Olympic preparations, team delivery and team presentation. We would like to thank the Lottery Board for its sustained commitment towards sport and recreation in South Africa.
SRSA will organise an official send-off ceremony few days before Team South Africa (Team SA) takes off to London in June this year. We wish them well.
In the same token, the South African Football Association (SAFA) has been awarded to host the 2013 Africa Cup of Nation extravaganza. SRSA has requested SAFA through the Local Organising Committee to come to this meeting to present a report about the readiness of the LOC towards the AFCON to be held in South Africa in 2013.Mr Mbebe was invited to come and brief the meeting.
Honourable MECs and the meeting, we are gathered here today to take stock on the road traversed since the last MINMEC meeting which took place on the 16 November 2011 and the subsequent hosting of the National Sport and Recreation Indaba held from the 21st to the 22nd November 2011.This MINMEC meeting will also consider reports from the Senior Management Services (SMS) Retreat that took place in December 2011 as well as the report from the Head of Departments Committee (HEADCOM) of the 23rd March 2012.
Ladies and Gentlemen, in his State of the Nation Address (SONA), the President of the Republic of South Africa, his Excellency, President Jacob Zuma continuously made reference to the triangle of poverty, unemployment and inequality. The President referred to these as the key challenges facing South Africa in the present era of the National Democratic Revolution (NDR) and he called upon society to boldly unite and rally around these particular issues with the state taking the lead to overcome them.
To that effect, the sport and recreation fraternity was equally expected to spend considerable time in deliberating on each of the three challenges and devise strategies that can contribute towards the broader government strategy to deal with these triple challenges.
Hence this, our first MINMEC in 2012, meeting is expected to make a statement as to how sport and recreation envision to contributing towards the eradication of poverty, unemployment and inequality.
In this regard both the 2012 SONA and the NPC report identified the challenge of a slow pace in the “process of developing a sense of common nationhood, or a common vision of the future” as one of the issues contributing to the slow pace of eradicating inequality, poverty and unemployment; and they both believed that strengthening strategies and campaigns to build social cohesion and nation building can play a meaningful role in the fight against inequality, poverty and unemployment. They both stresses that “there remains deep fault lines in our society that continue to undermine our vision of a united, non-racial and non-sexist South Africa.
Therefore, we are called upon to double our efforts to use sport and recreation as a necessary tool to build social cohesion and nation building. To use sport as an instrument to fast-track the development of the ‘sense of common nationhood’ whilst at the same time developing other strategies to utilise sport in the war against the remaining deep fault lines that continue to undermine our vision of a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa.
Such efforts to use sport and recreation as a necessary tool to build social cohesion and nation building should translate into our contribution towards transformation, rural development, job creation, healthy lifestyles, peace and economic growth. Hence, in 2012, we are called upon to deepen our efforts and honestly assess whether we really contributing towards the realisation of our objectives. Such an honest assessment of our efforts will also allow us to measure our contribution to the achievement of Outcome 12(b): “An Empowered, Fair and Inclusive Citizenship”.
As sport and recreation has been elevated in the Government Programme of Action from an activity to a specific sub-output; and sport and recreation is now recognised as a formidable instrument to build social capital; thus a lot is expected of us.
We know, for the fact, that during the process of the implementation of Outcome 12(b) in previous years a lot has been raised about many obstacles that hinder progress in this regard and various challenges were identified by our delivery partners. If we want to be relevant, in this fiscal year, we need to deal decisively and effectively with all the challenges that were identified by most of our delivery partners that hinder effective delivery.
In doing so, we need to intensify on the actual delivery of the two aspects:
(a)Increasing opportunities for participation in sport and recreation; and
(b)Facilitating intra-governmental support for major international events hosted in South Africa.
Ultimately these should make an impact on the delivery of Outcome 12(b), especially providing South African citizens with opportunities to interact, to share a common purpose, and to contribute to nation building and social cohesion.
Thus, the National Sport and Recreation Indaba (NSRI) held in November 2011 resolved to remedy most of the abovementioned challenges; and thus mandated the Department of Sport and Recreation to accelerate the implementation of all the Resolutions adopted by the Indaba.
Fortunately, as we emerged from the National Sport and Recreation Indaba in November 2011 progress has been made in the implementation of the National Sport and Recreation Plan (NSRP) as adopted by the NSRI.
In this regard, the NSRI’s report has been drafted and finalised by the NSRI Steering Committee. The Steering Committee has already submitted the final report to the Ministry of Sport and Recreation South Africa. We are now in the process of printing the report for circulation to all provinces including all sport and recreation stakeholders for perusal and implementation.
We will now appoint a National Implementation Committee (NIC) that will oversee the implementation of all the recommendations made by the Indaba. The NIC will be led by the Director-General (DG), Mr Alec Moemi. Other members of the committee will include the Chief of Staff in the Ministry and all the Heads of Department from the provincial Sport and Recreation departments and other relevant stakeholders as deemed fit by the DG.
The Ministry has officially dissolved the NSRI Steering Committee. We would therefore like to convey our sincere gratitude to the Steering Committee for the sterling work rendered to the people of the Republic of South Africa. We would also like to thank all the MEC’s for their political support to the work of the Steering Committee, especially for making sure that all provincial representatives are available for the work of the committee and make valuable inputs. Special thank goes to the Chairperson of the Steering Committee, Deputy Minister, Honourable Mr Gert Oosthuizen for his leadership in ensuring that we deliver a world class conference for sport and recreation in South Africa.
In the same gesture, the Ministry is in the process of appointing an Eminent Persons Group (EPG) on Transformation in Sport and Recreation in South Africa. The role of the Eminent Persons Group, among other things, is to:
(a)Advise the Minister of Sport and Recreation on all the matters pertaining to transformation in sport and recreation in South Africa;
(b)Review the current status in sport and recreation in South Africa;
(c)Oversee the implementation of the Transformation Charter and Scorecard as adopted by the NSRI and adjustments made as per the recommendation of the Indaba;
(d)Monitor and Evaluate transformation in sport organisations in South Africa, with a special reference to the South African Sport Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) and National Federations (NFs) as well as other Non-Governmental Organisations in sport.
A detailed Terms of Reference (ToR) document can be accessed from SRSA. However, we want to workshop all the stakeholders on the contents of the Terms of Reference especially members of the EPG, SASCOC and NFs. SRSA will host this workshop in the coming weeks. We have to ensure that all stakeholders understand the ToR and commit that the Transformation Charter and Scorecard will be implemented by all stakeholders in sport and recreation in South Africa. SRSA is in contact with SASCOC with a view to hold this workshop.
Ladies and Gentlemen, SRSA has formulated Cabinet Memorandum in order to table the NSRP to Cabinet for approval and requested Cabinet to prioritise sport and recreation by instructing all organs of state to put more and sufficient resources aside in order to enhance the vigorous implementation of the NSRP. On Wednesday, 27 March 2012, the Cabinet Committee considered the NSRP as well as the recommendations from SRSA. The Cabinet Committee, thereafter, endorsed the NSRP with minor amendments and recommended that its report on the NSRP be tabled to Cabinet for consideration.
We will, therefore, after the approval of the Cabinet Committee recommendations by Cabinet, go out to all provinces on a rigorous ‘Road Shows’ campaign to engage all communities on the contents of the NSRP. This will include awareness and outreach programmes as well as Magnificent Fridays.
Comrades, it is important to note that, after the adoption of the NSRP by the Indaba, the NPC has observed and adopted some of the elements of the NSRP. It observed issues related to schools sport, facilities and etc. and made some recommendations.
The following is what is articulated sharply in the National Planning Commission (NPC) report, Chapter 10, page 302 when it suggested that:
“We need to ensure that there is a lifestyle change in behaviour in South Africa, with healthier diets and more exercise. The best place to instil this culture is at school”.
The NPC suggests that by 2020:
·Physical education should be compulsory in all schools.
·Every primary and high school in South Africa should employ a qualified physical education teacher.
·Every primary and high school should have access to adequate facilities to practice school sport and physical education.
·All schools should be supported to take part in organised school sport activities at local, district, provincial and national level.
This in the view of the NPC will ensure that a culture of wellness and healthy lifestyles is also established in communities and at work places. It is also proposing the following in order to achieve their stated goals by 2025:
·Every Ward across the country should have adequate facilities to participate in basic exercise and sporting activity.
·Employers should be incentivised to provide opportunities to employers to engage in physical exercise and to have access to information about healthy lifestyles and healthy living including healthy dietary practices.
This is why SRSA in its consolidation of the NSRP would perhaps consider the matters raised by the NPC and integrate them in the overall planning cycle of government for concurrence.
Based on the recommendations from the NPC, from the perspective of sport and recreation, we would like the meeting to consider the following that:
·By 2032 all schools in the Republic should at least have a sport facility.
·By 2032 all schools in the Republic should have sport equipment.
·By 2032 physical activity in schools should be a lifestyle.
·By 2032 all Wards in the Republic should at least one or more sport facilities.
·By 2032 no child should be complaining about the lack of support and access to participation in sport and recreation.
·By 2032 South Africa should be among the best of the best in the World.
·By 2032 it should be fashionable to be a sport person and participation in sport and recreation should be a fashionable phenomenon.
·By 2032 all South African Athletes should be in the League of world class champions.
Comrades, as we would also want to inform MINMEC on the overall developments on the matters related to Cricket South Africa (CSA). As are all aware, on 4 November 2011, we announced the appointment of a Ministerial Committee of enquiry to conduct an investigation into the affairs of Cricket South Africa (“CSA”).The Committee was chaired by Mr Justice Robert Chris Nicholson, and with him Mr Freeman Nomvalo, the Accountant-General of the Republic and Ms. Zolisa Zwakala, the Chief Director: Internal Audit Support in the National Treasury.
The Committee was appointed in accordance with Treasury Regulation 20 issued in terms of the PFMA, Act 1 of 1999 and section 13(5) (a) of the National Sport and Recreation Act, No 110 of 1998, as amended (“the Act”).The Treasury Regulation deals solely with the remuneration of Committees of Enquiry, and the Act refers to intervention by the Minister in a dispute where such a dispute is likely to bring a sport into disrepute.
1. The terms of reference of the Committee were as follows:
1.1to investigate and report on the reasons for the failure of CSA to adhere to certain recommendations of KPMG and legal counsel;
1.2to investigate and report on maladministration in CSA in relation to payment of bonuses to officials in respect of the IPL;
1.3whether the said bonus payments were made in contravention of any law, in general, and the Companies Act in particular and, non-compliance with legal requirements or the KPMG report;
1.4to investigate and report on any irregularities discovered during KPMG’s investigation;
1.5to analyse any documents relating to its terms of reference and to do the necessary interrogations on the basis thereof;
1.6to enquire into, and assess and report on the effectiveness and efficiency of the current administration of CSA, and in particular identify all aspects of the current administrative system which allows for and encourages undesirable or illegal practices;
1.7enquire into and report on the degree of compliance by CSA and its staff with applicable laws;
1.8recommend ways to eliminate deficiencies identified; and
1.9to recommend systems, practices and procedures to improve the administration of CSA.
2. The Committee delivered its report, and advised the Minister as follows:
“the CSA Board failed to take appropriate action in relation to the KPMG report and senior counsel opinions; that there is a prima facie case that Mr Majola contravened sections 234, 235 and 236 of the Companies Act in that he failed to disclose the said bonuses appropriated to him, and the CFO and other senior members of staff; the alleged transgression should be referred to a disciplinary enquiry so that there is compliance with labour legislation, and that pending the referral to a disciplinary enquiry, CSA should recommend the immediate suspension with pay of Majola; the CSA should appoint an acting CEO pending the outcome of the disciplinary inquiry; and the CSA Board must ensure that the reputation of CSA is not further endangered by disregarding the recommendation’s”.
We welcomed the report and stood by its findings and recommendations and expect full implementation of the recommendations. The report was then sent to all the MECs for concurrence. We now expect the CSA to come back to us with their decisions on the way forward in terms of what transpired in the report.
The Committee made recommendations about findings that must be investigated by the National Director of Prosecutions and the South African Receiver of Revenue. The committee makes specific recommendations about how CSA must recover the bonus pay outs and irregular travel expenses for families. The Committee made ground-breaking recommendations on the future governance model for CSA based on international comparative research and practice.
The Committee also informed the Ministry that it believes that Cricket South Africa Board failed to take appropriate action in relation to the KPMG report and senior counsel opinion. The Committee went further to state that “We believe that for the reasons we have referred to Cricket South Africa was not sufficiently independent and principled to take the necessary action against Majola”.
This report and our press statement in this regard which was made public can also be found on the Department of Sport and Recreation SA website.
Ladies and Gentlemen, as we all know, the Management of Sport and Recreation South Africa and the Provincial Departments responsible for sport and recreation met for a management retreat on 14 and 15 December 2011 at the Mount Grace Country Hotel. The key issues dealt with were the following:
1.A status report on the National Sport and Recreation Indaba and Plan.
2.The Declaration and Resolutions adopted at the Indaba.
3.The Transformation Charter.
4.The finalisation, implementation and monitoring & evaluation of the National Sport and Recreation Plan.
5.The alignment of strategic plans.
6.Role demarcation and the signing of Service Level Agreements.
7.School Sport.
8.The Conditional Grant.
Following the inputs and discussions at the retreat, SRSA agreed on the Action Plan to ensure that delivery will take place in priority areas as identified by the NSRI and the SMS Retreat in December 2011.A detailed report on this matter is prepared by the management and will be presented by the DG in this meeting for consideration.
Comrades, in conclusion we should continue to turn around the operational mode of the South African sport and recreation system especially on areas of how we conduct our business as national and provincial sport and recreation departments as well as all our implementation partners, and realign all our outputs to our strategic national outcomes. We should do this fully aware that it would be a long, arduous struggle which would require vision, determination and commitment; and an attitude and element of ‘business unusual’.
It is incumbent upon us to work in harmony, to build a shared view with all stakeholders that will harness our collective resolve, underpinned by our shared values and common vision.
As President Zuma concluded in his SONA 2012:
“We must perform better in Sport … and set (higher) standards in the coming years as our star performer, Oscar Pistorius has set the standard for the year by winning the 2012 Laurens Sportsperson of the Year with Disability Award”.
Thank you.
