The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie together with Deputy Minister Peace Mabe, today provided a feedback report to the country on their first 100 days since being sworn into office on the 3rd of July 2024 under Government of National Unity (GNU).
Friday the 11th of October 2024 marked their 100th day together in their important and wide-ranging portfolio, which among others encompasses sport, arts, culture, heritage, recreation, social cohesion and nation building.
In their address to guests and the media at The Market Theatre, an entity of the Department in downtown Johannesburg, the Minister and Deputy Minister reflected on some of the most memorable moments and achievements over the past 100 days, noting that the work has in fact just begun and many of the true challenges and tasks still lie ahead.
Minister McKenzie started by reflecting on one of his proudest moments as the new Minister, being the pivotal role, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) had played in facilitating the repatriation of the human remains of more than 40 liberation struggle stalwarts from Zambia and Zimbabwe. This initiative was part of the department’s ongoing commitment to honouring the legacy of South Africans who lost their lives in exile during the liberation struggle. The Deputy Minister played a central role by travelling to these countries while the process was under way. The next phase of the project will focus on the repatriation of South Africans’ remains from Angola, continuing the Department’s mission to bring home those who gave their lives for our country’s freedom.
One key observation of the first 100 days in government was when the Ministry has had to respond to several crises and last-minute challenges. One example was the need to rescue the National School of the Arts, which was facing closure due to overwhelming financial pressures.
In August 2024, the Ministry also became aware of a crisis in South Africa’s imminent hosting of the U18 African basketball championships, known as the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) U18 Afrobasket. To safeguard South Africa’s international reputation as a credible host country, the department took over the handling of the event with less than two weeks to go, which ultimately saved the tournament.
At the end of August, South Africa’s attendance at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Peru was also about to fail. The Ministry had to step in at the last minute to ensure the young athletes were able to fly to South America. The athletes received their flights to Peru with mere hours to spare. The South African team then delivered an outstanding all-round performance, finishing sixth in the overall medal standings with a total of seven medals: three gold, two silver, and two bronze. Rising star Bayanda Walaza was confirmed as the fastest teenager in the world.
A major highlight for the Minister was the signing of a co-production agreement with Canada for funding to flow into films, animations, new media and TV shows. The new, modernised film agreement between the two countries was an update on an earlier one from 1997, with the new agreement moving with changes in the industry. The old agreement saw nearly a billion rand in co-productions at the current exchange rate between South Africa and Canada, and the new agreement is expected to do even more.
Other highlights of the 100 days include the Cultural and Creative Industries Bosberaad on 29-30 August, which was attended by 72 sector and sub-sector organisations, with a total of more than 200 participants in attendance. The Bosberaad was a follow-up to bilateral meetings which the Ministry had earlier set up with individual organisations and key industry players across different domains and disciplines.
It assisted in reimagining a new sector ecosystem, where representative sector and sub-sector organisations can enjoy direct recognition and support from government. This reconfiguration has enabled the department to come up with a new funding model, which will be rolled out in the new financial year, built on principles of inclusivity, broad-based recognition and equitable distribution of available resources for sector-organisation support – as opposed to just funding a few, selected organisations.
Other highlights that the Minister touched on in his speech included the provision of new musical instruments and infrastructure to the Mitchell’s Plain Music Academy and the Isivivana Centre in Khayelitsha, which received audiovisual equipment and support.
The ongoing process of formalising the uniquely South African motorsport of spinning is underway, with the Ministry being part of the announcement of two major new sponsors for the sport, Cell C and Kappa, with more support for the sport now flowing in from the private sector.
One particular moment that most of the country would remember was the Ministry piloting a once-off deal that saw the Springbok Test against the All Blacks in Johannesburg being broadcast live, for free, on SABC, in celebration of 30 years of democracy, on 31 August 2024.
The Minister continues to be committed to resolving the dispute between eMedia and the SABC so that free-to-air broadcasts of Springbok matches on the national broadcaster can resume. A positive consequence of some of these engagements has included the start of a strong relationship with SuperSport and other partners.
The Ministry has joined forces with SuperSport, Athletics SA, South African Schools Athletics and the Department of Basic Education in launching an exciting Track and Field Schools Athletics Series, starting in January next year. The schools’ athletics series will be open to all high schools throughout the country and the objective will be to crown the top athletics high school in the country.
The DStv Schools Netball Challenge for all under 19 high schools’ teams is in its fourth year already and is aimed at inspiring the next generation of South Africa’s netball stars while also contributing towards increasing inter-school competitions. The Ministry has committed to supporting this event.
SABC and SuperSport Schools have agreed to a partnership that will ensure the SABC will be able to stream school sport on SABC Plus, thus joining SuperSport Schools in showcasing school sport throughout the country. This will complement the access South Africans already have to high-quality school and youth sports through the SuperSport Schools streaming platform. The focus will be on a diverse range of school and youth sport, including football, netball, rugby, athletics, hockey and basketball.
MultiChoice has agreed to continue the Let’s Play Centres of Excellence programme, undertaking to build a maintenance-free multipurpose sports facility at a school that the Ministry shall soon identify. They will also provide training for teachers who will drive sports programmes at the school.
Another major project that saw numerous artists commemorating 30 years of democracy was DSAC’s participation at the DStv Delicious Festival, where the Tribute Show honoured iconic South African musicians such as Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba, and Brenda Fassie, among many others.
Among the major 100-day accomplishments was on 4 September 2024, when the Minister signed a ground-breaking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with his counterpart in Cabinet, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube. The new MoU aims to progressively transform access to both sports and cultural programmes in schools, ensuring that every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to thrive in sport and the arts. This MoU marked a milestone in the GNU’s vision to deliver equality of access for all young people, particularly those in rural, township, and underprivileged areas. This includes the details of how the Ministry was able to prevent the immediate job loss of 62 contract workers in the Department.
Future plans for the Department and the country include details around the new World Rally-Raid Championship race set to take place for the first time in South Africa in 2025; the first UFC tournament in Africa where our champion Dricus du Plessis will fight; the longer-term plans for the return of Formula One and the Minister’s vision of taking at least 300 athletes to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Further details have also been provided on how the Ministry has stabilised Boxing SA, along with plans to improve the functioning of the sport by updating the Boxing Regulations.
Further, future plans that were announced include:
Support for the South African Hip Hop Museum;
A new museum to showcase the life and extensive, previously unseen, memorabilia of Nelson Mandela;
A new Heroes Acre;
The digitisation of millions of physical records in archives;
A new music policy and strategy for the country, along with a new policy on crafts;
The modernisation of many of the Department’s more than 30 museums, 19 of which are clustered in the Ditsong and Iziko state-owned entities;
The fusion of technology and libraries;
More support for sport in prisons;
Plans to stage a mega music festival called Afrika Roar, similar in scale to globally famous festivals such as Coachella, Tomorrowland, Glastonbury, Roskilde and Lollapalooza; and
South Africa’s inclusion as Guest of Honour at next year’s International Book Fair of Havana in Cuba.
In her speech, Deputy Minister Peace Mabe spoke extensively on her own, personal engagements and plans in the Ministry.
These included among others, the Deputy Minister’s contributions to the Cricket South Africa Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Indaba; her attendance of the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics; and her engagements with global ministers at the International Film Week in Moscow as well as her address at the SASCOC AGM on the importance of strengthening collaboration and driving further transformation within the sporting community.
Together with the Minister, Deputy Minister Mabe have been actively promoting a healthy lifestyle, with the Minister now having lost more than 15kg, as evidenced by his weekly “Weigh-in Wednesday videos”.
Both principals have participated in various fitness events, including the Nelson Mandela Foundation Walk; 702 Walk The Talk; the Silent Walk (to raise awareness for the deaf community) and the Big Walk, which aligns with the National Development Plans of promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles.
A key focus for the Deputy Minister has been addressing gender inequality in sport, particularly advocating for equal pay and resource allocation for female athletes. The Department is in the final stages of developing a comprehensive Women in Sport Policy Framework which addresses multiple areas of gender disparity, including participation, leadership, governance, and visibility. The Deputy Minister has also taken a hands-on approach to supporting Women in Boxing, in particular.
It must be noted that the Department will soon be launching numerous renovation projects for community sporting facilities across the country. These efforts aim to provide equal access to quality sports infrastructure, beginning with Limpopo Province, where the Deputy Minister will be overseeing the handover of upgraded facilities in Moletji and Lephalale in late October 2024.
In the arts sector, the Deputy Minister also led efforts to create an enabling environment for artists, particularly those in underserved communities. One of the key outcomes of her discussions was the recognition that civic and multi-purpose community centres can be transformed into hubs for artistic expression and economic activity. By providing artists with these spaces, the Department aims to directly contribute to job creation and economic opportunities within the creative sector.
A major achievement for the country that the Deputy Minister also reflected on in her address was the inscription of two new World Heritage Sites in July 2024.The Early Modern Human Behaviour Sites, South Africa’s 11th World Heritage Site offers invaluable insights into the development of symbolic thought, technology, and complex cognitive abilities among early humans. Dating back over 162,000 years, these sites are not only archaeological treasures but also a reminder of our shared humanity and ancestral roots.
The Nelson Mandela Legacy Sites, now inscribed as South Africa’s 12th World Heritage Site, commemorate the struggle for freedom and human rights, with a particular focus on the life and contributions of Nelson Mandela. This site is the first to be nominated from the African Liberation Heritage Programme, aligning with the African Union’s Vision 2063 and reaffirming South Africa’s commitment to reconciliation, peace, and human dignity.
The Deputy Minister further touched on the Department’s strategic realignment to now embrace public-private partnerships to revitalise critical programmes within the Department and create opportunities for greater participation in sport, arts, and culture. A prime example of this was her visit to the Enos Mafokate Equestrian Sport Centre in Soweto, where the Ministry has explored possible upgrades and partnerships to improve the facility.
She placed emphasis on the Ministry’s commitment to social cohesion and nation building and how, as part of this, she had successfully led the CUFA Festival in the Free State. This not only celebrated South Africa’s cultural diversity but also contributed to job creation by stimulating local economic activity in areas such as hospitality, small business, and cultural tourism.
She has supported several important initiatives that honour South Africa’s living legends. These included the “Van Toeka Af” Project, where she paid a courtesy visit to Mama Abigail Khubeka, and the Nkalakatha Road to 25 Years Project, which aims to preserve the legacy of music legend Mandoza. Additionally, she participated in the Mpondo Heritage Festival and the Diepsloot Carnival, both of which underscored the importance of celebrating and preserving the country’s cultural heritage.
Conclusion
As we reflect on the progress made in these first 100 days, it is clear that the work of the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture is only beginning.
The Ministry has set a course for meaningful change, which prioritises transformation, opportunity, and unity.
“Our success in these early days underscores the tremendous potential of our people, and we remain steadfast in our mission to create a South Africa where sport, arts, culture and heritage are not only celebrated but also serve as vehicles for social cohesion and economic development. This journey is far from over, and we look forward to building on these foundations as we continue to shape our nation’s future,” said both the Minister and the Deputy Minister in their united showing of strength and commitment.
For media enquiries:
Ms Bridgette Mbonambi, Community Liaison Officer: Office of the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture │Email: BridgetteM@dsac.gov.za │ Cell: +27 60 989 6528
Ms Zimasa Velaphi, Head of Communication and Marketing: Department of Sport, Arts and Culture │Email: ZimasaV@dsac.gov.za │ Cell: +27 (0) 72 172 8925
