MEC Maile pleased that the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation achieved a significant portion of its predetermined objectives and improved its audit outcomes.
The Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation (GDSACR) has reaffirmed its commitment to accountability, transparency and service delivery following the public release and tabling of its 2025/26 Annual Report at the Gauteng Legislature.
The report details how the department used its resources to translate its Annual Plans and priorities into tangible outcomes in support of the Gauteng Government’s mission to improve the lives of residents across the province.
Tabling the report at the Gauteng Legislature, MEC Lebogang Maile explained that he was pleased that the department achieved a significant portion of its predetermined objectives for the year under review and recorded an unqualified audit opinion in the process.
"The Annual Report is a testament to our department’s constitutional mandate of continuing to use sport, arts, culture and recreation as powerful instruments of social cohesion, economic inclusion and human development across the Gauteng City Region”, said MEC Maile
For the period under review, the Department implemented and supported about 1,852 programmes and initiatives, including 43 training programs reaching more than 108,000 participants across the province of Gauteng.
These achievements are a testament to the Department's commitment to service delivery, clean governance, prudent financial management and improved accountability, demonstrating a commitment and contribution towards building a capable state and growing Gauteng.
Advancing Inclusive Economic Growth and Job Creation
“Our programmes made a direct contribution to the priority of the Gauteng 2024-2029 Medium-Term Development Plan: inclusive economic growth and job creation. During the financial year, the Department financially supported 21 major arts and culture events across the five corridors, valued at over 20 million, reviving the cultural and gig economy and creating income opportunities for artists across the value chain”, said MEC Maile.
The Department further facilitated 15 market access opportunities for 366 creatives, while 306 young creatives received technical skills training in areas such as sound engineering, lighting, production management and arts administration.
Focusing on sport, the department provided support to 12 major sporting events as well as two international rugby test matches and six elite women’s sport programmes. Some of these major events ranging from athletics, football, golf, boxing and marathons made a significant contribution, amounting to millions of rands to the economy of Gauteng.
Sport and Recreation
The department scored some notable achievements in sport and recreation such as the following amongst others:
- Support provided to 510 schools through integrated arts and culture programmes.
- Offered support to 524 schools with sport and recreation equipment and attire.
- 300 people capacitated through training in active recreation through a combination of accredited and non-accredited training programmes
- 27 hubs provided with equipment and attire
- A total of 19,224 learners were reached through sport programmes such as the inter-school leagues and tournaments, football, basketball, tennis, rugby, gymnastics, swimming and athletics competitions across Gauteng schools
- 529 people benefitted from 25 club development training programmes
- Six sport academies received essential support and equipment to strengthen athlete development
Arts, Culture and Heritage
The department commemorated six National days with over 20 000 participants to advance liberation heritage, honour those who sacrificed in the past while reinforcing social cohesion and constitutional values.
“Numerous creatives benefitted from the eight cultural and creative industries programmes implemented across public spaces. The initiatives afforded dancers, actors, DJs, crafters and visual artists to showcase their talents, gain market exposure and contribute to community development.
Additionally, several creatives benefited from two incubation programmes aimed at equipping creatives with both practical and soft skills across music, performing arts, visual arts, craft and design”, said MEC Maile.
Moreover, a total of 17 social dialogues were held across the province where key topics were discussed such as Gender Based Violence, substance abuse, language policy development, youth participation in democracy, the preservation of heritage, moral regeneration and nation building amongst others.
Library and Archival Services
Financial support to the tune of R221,303,000 was given to municipalities to deliver library services within their jurisdictions.
To strengthen digital infrastructure across Gauteng’s community libraries, the department supported 35 libraries with modern technology aimed at expanding access to online services and promoting inclusion through the the Mzansi Libraries Online Programme.
To promote a culture of reading across Gauteng, the department implemented 75 reading programmes that reached over 7000 participants. The initiatives were mainly conducted in schools, Early Childhood Development Centres, kiddies’ corners at commemorative days and through the Born to Read programme.
Infrastructure delivery and service improvement
MEC Maile further highlighted that there are areas that require intervention to improve performance.
“Infrastructure backlogs at sport facilities, community libraries and arts centres continue to constrain our ability to provide modern, accessible and safe environments for public participation, with demands for services consistently outpacing available resources, particularly in township and rural communities”, he said.
Looking ahead
MEC Maile further announced that the Department will deepen the impact of its programmes while introducing renewed flagship events that speak to the pride and unity of Gauteng.
“I am pleased to announce the reintroduction of the Gauteng Carnival, a platform that will showcase the diversity of our arts, culture and creative talent while stimulating local economic growth and tourism. We will also reintroduce the Gauteng Sports Awards to honour and celebrate the athletes, coaches and administrators who represent our province with distinction, and to inspire the next generation of sporting talent”, explained MEC Maile.
MEC Maile emphasized that Sport, arts, culture and recreation are not peripheral concerns but essential to the well-being, identity as well as the prosperity of the people of Gauteng.
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Onwabile Lubhelwana
Spokesperson: MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation
Mobile: 071 531 4513 I Email: onwabile.lubhelwana@gauteng.gov.za
Mr. Phaladi Seakgwe
Director Communications: Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation
Cell: 079 075 1673 I Email: phaladi.seakgwe@gauteng.gov.za
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