16 March 2006
In a groundbreaking move to boost arts, culture and sport, MEC Jacobs
announced the deployment of 60 sport assistants and cultural animators at
identified schools in the Western Cape.
Speaking at the launch of the Social Incubator programme at the Rustdene
Sport Complex in Beaufort West on Thursday, MEC Jacobs announced that the
Department had already advertised the posts for sport assistants and cultural
animators through the mainstream media. He said "this initiative from the
Department does not only provide positive alternatives to our youth but it
creates employment opportunities. I have been assured by the Department that
the selection process is going to be expedited so that by May 2006 at least, we
would have deployed these critical human resources to ensure the sustainable
development of arts, culture and sport at schools"
The Social Incubator programme launched at Beaufort West is the contribution
of the Department in the overall Social and Human Capital strategies of the
provincial government. The programme is aimed at engaging school children after
school hours so that there is something worthwhile to do. The assessment of the
Department found that children of school going age faced greater risks of
social-ills such as crime and gang related activities after school hours.
"This is our attempt to minimise the risks facing our youth. A total of
eight sport assistants and seven cultural animators will be deployed to the 15
schools of Beaufort West to co-ordinate arts, culture and sport activities. The
remaining 45 assistants will be distributed to schools in Khayelitsha and
Mitchell's Plain" says Mr Jacobs.
"The introduction of this programme and the subsequent deployment of these
resources will impact positively in our campaign to revive school sport. This
initiative will make it possible for our children to try their artistic and
sporting talents in a better organised environment and under professional
supervision" he added.
The Social Incubator programme has been successfully introduced in
Khayelitsha and Mitchell's Plain, Beaufort West is the last region to pilot
this programme for now. These regions have been identified because they have
been declared presidential nodal areas.
Mandla Yeki
Spokesperson for Ministry
Tel: (021) 483 9804
Cell: 082 553 3477
Issued by: Office of the MEC for Cultural Affairs, Sport and Recreation,
Western Cape Provincial Government
16 March 2006
