The building of facilities for sport, arts, culture and heritage is a key priority for MEC Bopape as she presents her budget vote
‘Sport, arts, culture and heritage should be seen beyond just leisure’. This is according to Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Ms Molebatsi Bopape as she presented her 2015/16 budget vote on Friday, 19 June, 2015.
MEC Bopape outlined how her department intends spending the R788million budget allocated towards its mandate to ensure access, increased participation -in- and transformation of the sports, arts, and culture and recreation sectors.
Key among its successes, the department will continue with the construction of more libraries across the province. In the previous financial year alone the department built over 7 libraries with some already handed over in Khutsong, Boitumelo, Wedela, Tarlton, Venterspoort, Stinkwater and Rooipoort among others.
“Currently underway is construction of eight libraries in Olievenhoutbosch, Kagiso X6, Evaton North, Rietvallei, Drieziek, Naturena, Kingsway and Leondale”.
“Starting from this financial year an additional 6 new community libraries will be built within Tshwane in Soshanguve, Mamelodi, Akasia, Ekangala, Hammanskraal, and Atteridgeville”, said MEC Bopape.
The construction of the Provincial Archive Centre in Kagiso is another ambitious project which is currently underway. As pronounced by MEC the center is on track for completion by the beginning of the 2016/17 financial year.
Meanwhile, through the intervention of the department the iconic Soweto Marathon is now a permanent feature in the athletics calendar of Gauteng. According to MEC Bopape the department will continue to support the project which she believes is part of strengthening the heritage and socio-economic development of the people of Soweto.
Earlier this year the department launched and unveiled its flagship programme called Operation Mabaleng which intends developing and building 5 various sporting multi-purpose centres within the previously disadvantaged areas. The first two sites will be in Westbury and Mamelodi of which work to develop these will start in due course and will be ready by the end of the financial year.
Other programmes to be implemented by the department include:
- Through the Gauteng Film Commission, facilitate 165 filming permits in Gauteng and continue to support the export of Gauteng made films to international markets and festivals as well as to promote the province as a preferred film destination.
- Support the Drama, Dance, Visual Arts and Music through the Arts in Schools programme.
- Support the development and identification of sporting talent through among others the School Sport programme.
- Continue to develop provincial liberation struggle heritage sites as tourism routes of which next will see the opening of Boipatong and Kagiso Memorials and the completion of Phase Two of the Women’s Living monument in Tshwane.
Alluded MEC Bopape, “We are driven by a belief that budget appropriations for services which are categorised as within the Social Cluster, are not mere expenditure, but investments in the society and in individuals. In the hierarchy of needs, Sport and Recreation, Artistic and Cultural expression need to be nourished. If these needs are neglected, our children will not grow to be integrated human beings”.
Enquiries:
Nomazwe Ntlokwana
Tel: 011 355 2578
Cell: 083 507 8068
E-mail: nomazwe.ntlokwana@gauteng.gov.za
