Statement by Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Faith Mazibuko, on the occasion of the post SOPA media briefing
Social Cohesion
In his State of the Province Address last week, Gauteng Premier David Makhura said: “The promotion of social cohesion and nation building remains one of Gauteng’s key priorities as we build an economically and socially inclusive Gauteng City Region”.
Following the appointment of a Panel of Social Cohesion Champions, led by Justice Yvonne Mokgoro and Professor Mary Metcalfe by the Premier Makhura, we are confident that we will be to deal with some of the issues that seek to polarise us as the people of the Gauteng City Region. The team has been working with civil society to address problems around racism and xenophobia among others.
Over the past weekend we saw the successful start of the Premier’s Social Cohesion games which took place throughout Gauteng on Sunday in Boksburg. Teams made up of locals and other nationals from various African countries took to the fields in support of the move by Premier Makhura to stand together as a united Gauteng.
As we mark the centenary of OR Tambo it is important to remember his teachings and convictions, more so when it comes to how we should deal with undesirable situations and conflict. He might not have been there to see a democratic South Africa, but in his values we had and have a champion of our constitutional democracy on whose convictions it (democracy) is ingrained.
He was among others, a champion of unity, service, sacrifice, collective leadership, honesty, discipline, debates, and mutual respect.
To echo the sentiments expressed by the premier we urge all leaders to handle the matter of migrants with a great deal of sensitivity and care. We also would like to warn against stigmatisation or criminalisation of all migrants and foreign nationals.
Sport and Recreation
During his State of the Province Address Premier Makhura said the province was committed to engage the sporting fraternity to further cement relations and strengthen sport in the province. We will continue on this commitment to work together with all entities, from community, schools as well as professional and national structures.
Among others our partnership with the Lucas Radebe Foundation and associates resulted in hosting of two accounts of the ground breaking Gauteng Champion of Champions football initiative, popularly positioned as the T20 and Rugby 7’s of football.
We have spoken with the Sport Confederations and Federations and agreed to strengthened club development programme and the academy programme. We have also been working closely with the University of Johannesburg and High Performance Centre to provide scientific support to talent identified through club development.
UJ and High Performance Centre will also assist federations, specifically in the codes including: women’s football, netball, swimming, athletics, boxing, disability sector.
With the Federations and the sport councils, the focus will be on supporting local leagues at community level, which will ensure that more children play competitive sport, thus expanding the basis for talent identification.
We have over the past year supported additional 450 township, farm and rural schools with sporting attire and equipment.
We have established the Gauteng School Sport Committee (GSSC), which has been instrumental in ensuring support for the development of the school sport structures at local and provincial levels.
The Under 17 Future Champions tournament has thus far reached over 3000 young boys and girls over the 2016 December holidays.
At least 10 000 youth will be reached by the end of March 2017.
We have had other key sporting events including the – Gauteng sport Awards, Arnold Africa Games, Women in Sport Conference, Boxing, Soweto Marathon, Mandela Remembrance Walk, among many others.
We are now looking forward to the Gauteng Sport Awards to be held this coming Friday on 03 March at the Wits Linder Auditorium, where the future of South Africa’s sport will be rewarded.
Members of the media you are all invited to this awards ceremony.
Creative Industries
Gauteng is also the home of the creative industries. We have production houses, theatres, crafters, designers, publishers and painters giving and showcasing their creativity to the world. The province remains a lifeline for both established and many aspiring young artists within the music, craft and performance arts. It has helped launch the careers of many who have went on to become multi award winning artists.
The growth of this sector will not only mean a sustainable livelihood to the artists but ensure a major boost in the economy of Gauteng, surpassing the current contribution estimated at R3.3 billion. We have already started with initiatives and partnerships that look at increasing market access opportunities for artists.
Some of these include the Jo’burg Art Fair, Southgate Mall as well as the Maboneng precinct which are just but a few market platforms accessed to promote sustainable livelihoods for crafters.
Working with entities like the Gauteng Film Commission, metropolitan municipalities and many other stakeholders we are sure to have more people coming into Gauteng for its heritage, adventure, filming and more. We have been able to secure and host major programmes including the BMW SA Open Golf Tournament, Joburg Open and Tshwane Open.
Going forward we plan to develop five Film Post Production facilities at the local level; Give support to atleast 100 crafters, 50 visual and 90 performing arts artists. Provide mentorship opportunities for 10 emerging fashion designers, create atleast 8 000 jobs through the hosting of major events including concerts, festivals and celebration.
In conclusion, we will be increasing our efforts to get Gauteng playing and involved in recreational programmes including increasing the number of community games and increasing the reach of our programmes through programmes like ishashalazi theatre, motjeko dance, school sport, active ageing and more.
Some of the new programmes include the O.R. Tambo/Sonchini community games and the Premier’s Social Cohesion Games.
For media inquiries contact:
Nomazwe Ntlokwana
Tel: 011 355 2578
Cell: 083 507 8068
E-mail: nomazwen@gpg.gov.za
