Keynote Address of the MEC for Sport , Arts and Culture Ms Bongiwe Mbinqo- Gigaba at the handing over of the Sport Equipment to identified schools at the Lady Oppenheimer Hall
Programme Director
MEC for Education Ms Martha Bartlett
Representatives from the Molefe Olifant Institution of Leadership
Acting HOD Palm
HOD Pharasi
Senior Managers
Student Governing Body Members
Educators and Learners
Members of the Media
Ladies and gentlemen
Good Afternoon , Goeie Middag , Dumelang , Molweni
Ladies and gentlemen, the obvious absence of sport and recreation equipment in our schools and our communities can no longer be over-emphasised, 22 years after the 1994 elections; we have to push back the backlog of sport equipment, especially in rural communities and in townships.
To deal with this huge challenge, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and the Department of Education have partnered with the Molefe Oliphant Institute of Leadership to ensure that we progressively embark on a campaign to see how we turn around the unequal playing fields when coming to school sport in our rural areas. Through the Institute we have started on our journey to resuscitate school sport, firstly so that 360 educators and 90 volunteers can receive training and capacity building that will enhance their administrative, generic coaching skills and technical officiating training. Secondly we have ensured that 45 schools in the Northern Cape receive sports equipment to the value of R 170 000 (hundred and seventy thousand per school). This means that the Molefi Oliphant Institute of Leadership has invested an amount of R 7,6 million in the Northern Cape.
Ladies and gentlemen
One of the main curriculum features that was covered in the capacity building training was how our educators can teach sport in ways that helps all learners to value fair play, respect officials, respect opponents and appreciate the beauty of an evenly contested well played game.
Sport when taught properly, provides important developmental experiences for children and youth, not only through increased playing competence but also through personal growth and responsiveness.
The sporting codes of the various schools who will be receiving equipment are Volleyball, Netball, Football and Athletics. Each sporting code will receive equipment that will play a vital role in them been able to improve their skills and their uniformity which will eventually promote unity and team spirit.
I also need to emphasize that the schools who will be receiving equipment are predominately from our rural areas as part of drive to enforce the principles of equality in school sport and to ensure that no stone is left unturned in the development of schools sport.
Schools from towns such as Britstown , Carnavon , Delportshoop , Windsorton , Springbok and many others will be receiving equipment.
Ladies and gentlemen
School sport has been declared by the Minister of Sport and Recreation, the Honourable Fikile Mbalula as the Bedrock for sport development in the country. This pronouncement echoed the undertakings of the National Sport and Recreation Indaba of 2011, which ushered into existence the National Sport and Recreation Plan serving as the Blue print for sport and recreation development in the country.
The Sport and Recreation Plan was further strengthened by the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Schools Sport Integrated Framework in 2011.
School Sport is still an epicenter to cultural identity, community development, social integration, and is a self-esteem generator. We are lifting and escalating school sport in our disadvantaged areas to higher levels, and raising the focus on this functional area.
It is therefore the responsibility of all of us to change this. We will succeed to change this by changing the outlook of our schools sport and community. We must make sport and recreation fashionable in our villages and townships.
With that spirit, we will make life very dull and miserable for those who chose not to participate in sport and recreation. We must make healthy life style and exercise a norm and culture among our young and old.
Therefore the Provincial Government of the Northern Cape is committed in working together to advance Schools Sports and ensuring that our children are provided with the necessary resources to advance their God - Given talents in different Sporting Codes.
Participating in sport can improve the quality of life of individuals and communities, promote social inclusion, improve health, counter anti-social behaviour, raise individual self-esteem and confidence, and widen horizons.”
In this regard, we are motivated by the initiatives such training and capacity building programmes of the Molefe Oliphant Institute of Leadership that forms part of our overall agenda for the establishment of a sound sport culture in our society.
We know that our schools in the rural communities are constantly undermined by the challenges of the lack of sporting equipments, facilities and support. It is therefore, our patriotic duty and civic obligation to respond to that and utilize important and significant days like this to be with you and share whatever we have with you.
As government we have also specifically identified schools in rural areas where we know our community members are faced with a situation where not all parents can contribute financially towards sports equipment for the school due to lack of finances in the households. The equipment handed over to the school will not only assist the learners in developing and enhancing their skills but will also have a tremendous positive psychological and moral impact on them and their parents.
Thus by contributing sports equipment and attire, the Northern Cape Provincial Government trust that for each of you here, a winning performance in any game you play will be a step towards medal glory on the country’s, Africa and even world sports stage, and that your years of training and preparation will pay off well in future.
Such commitment and dedication will assist our country in its endeavour of nation building, social cohesion and unity and changing the quality of life of all South Africans for the better.
Thank you.
