Department of Sport, Arts and Culture concludes School Sport Indaba
The National School Sport Indaba closed on Friday, 15 September 2023, with a pledge by all stakeholders to work together to develop and implement a model for a sustainable school sport system in South Africa.
This historic indaba, led by Department of Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Honourable Zizi Kodwa, gathered sport leaders and administrators, representatives in education, international experts, government officials, former players, and activists in the sport sector, under the theme, “Towards an integrated and united school sport system”.
The National School Sport Indaba sought to reach outcomes which include:
- Guidelines to draft a new Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, the Department of Basic Education, and other stakeholders in sport and education.
- Guidelines to draft a new implementing model and protocols for school sport.
- Set clearly outlined roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders.
- Set clearly defined and integrated priorities for the school sport sector.
Local and international stakeholders shared experiences and perspectives of developing school sport and integrating sport into community development.
The indaba focused on a new theory of change, realising the need to resolve all obstacles that are in the way of an inclusive, accessible, and quality school sport system in the country.
The National School Sport Indaba has come to the following resolutions:
- Policy: To give effect to the collaboration agreement between the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and the Department of Basic Education through robust implementation, formal plans and monitoring of the agreement through formal practices
- Resources: To advocate for the building of school-based sports facilities that are aligned to the broader community spatial design, to optimise the use of currently available school facilities, and encourage private public partnerships through a suitable model which is to be investigated.
- Development pathway: Focus on getting children playing regularly. School sport must be educator-driven and build capacity across all role-players in the ecosystem through formal training programmes. Physical Education should be introduced as a stand-alone subject.
- Stakeholder Relationships and Structures: A national macro body for School Sport, supported by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, the Department of Basic Education, and the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc), should be established.
- Governance and Transformation: Regulate the integration of the country’s fragmented school sport system.
Minister Kodwa says, “The National School Sport Indaba has given impetus to establishing a blueprint for school sport in South Africa. School sport is the bedrock of sport development in the country. It is therefore critical that sport is incorporated into the school curriculum. School Sport and Physical Education are contained in the National Development Plan and are integral to development in the country.”
The Minister adds, “The indaba has set the path forward for Government, the sport and education sector, commercial, community and civil society partners to work together towards building a sustainable national school sport programme.”
The full declaration and pledge of the National School Sport Indaba will be available on the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture website and digital platforms.
Media enquiries:
Mr Litha Mpondwana: Media Liaison Officer: Office of the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture │ Email: LithaM@dsac.gov.za │ Cell: 064 802 3003
Mr Mickey Modisane, Chief Director: Stakeholder Relations and Special Projects, Department of Sport, Arts and Culture │Email: MickeyM@dsac.gov.za │Cell: 082 992 0101
Ms Zimasa Velaphi, Head of Communication and Marketing: Department of Sport, Arts and Culture │Email: ZimasaV@dsac.gov.za │ Cell: 072 172 8925
