The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr Gayton McKenzie, has noted Tatjana Smith’s announcement that she will compete for the Netherlands in future. He wishes her every success.
Ms Smith told the Minister about her decision before she made it public. The Minister thanks her for that courtesy, which says a great deal about her character.
It is regrettable that some people have used a deeply personal decision by one of South Africa’s most loved athletes to attack the Minister. Tatjana’s choice belongs to her and it should not be turned into a political weapon.
The Department has twice honoured Ms Smith at the South African Sport Awards, including with prize money. That recognition reflected the pride the whole country feels in what she has done for South Africa.
The public needs to understand how sport is run in South Africa. National federations are deliberately independent of government. They are governed by their own boards and answer to their international bodies. Where the Department funds a federation, the federation must account for that money – but the Department does not run federations, and it cannot take on all of their costs.
That includes the significant cost of competing internationally. The people who lead federations are responsible for running their affairs sustainably and for attracting the partners and sponsors who can pay for these costs. SA Rugby does not ask the Department to pay for the Springboks to play overseas, even though it needs billions of rands each year to run their sport.
That is the standard every federation should aim for.
The Department is aware of the problems at Swimming South Africa, including concerns athletes have raised. These problems are being dealt with through a reform process that is under way and includes oversight from World Aquatics. The Department will keep monitoring that process closely.
Tatjana Smith retired after becoming South Africa’s most decorated Olympian. The country was delighted to see her return to the pool, but South Africa does not own her. She is her own person, and she deserves only success and happiness.
“Nothing can erase what Tatjana has achieved for South Africa,” said Minister McKenzie. “Every medal, every record and every anthem she gave us belongs to our history forever. We now have to share her with the Netherlands, but I have no doubt that her love for South Africa is as strong as ever. I believe she still has a great role to play in our country in the future. We wish her only the very best, much love and even more success.”
For media enquiries:
Ms Stacey-Lee Khojane
Spokesperson: Office of the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
E-mail: StaceyK@dsac.gov.za
Cell: +27 77 608 7579
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