agreement
2 August 2007
The working relationship between the Department of Sport and Recreation and
the Department of Education in promoting sport was formalised yesterday with
the signing of co-operative agreement by the two departments.
The much awaited collaboration protocol as the document is known was signed
by the MEC for Sport and Recreation, Amichand Rajbansi, and his Education
counterpart, Ina Cronje, in Pietermaritzburg yesterday.
It was also co-signed by their respective Heads of Department, Sumayya Khan
and Cassius Lubisi respectively.
The more aggressive approach in promoting schools follows acknowledgement by
government that schools are the nurseries of our sports stars.
The government therefore through the national Department of Sport and
Recreation introduced the multi million rand School Sport Mass Participation
Programme (SSMPP).
For the programme to run smoothly it was realised that a Memorandum of
Understanding was needed in order to clarify each others role and avoid
possible gaps in service delivery.
This resulted in the historic signing of the National Memorandum between
both the Department of Sport and Recreation and the Department of Education in
March 2004. This had then resulted in the collaboration protocol/joint
venture/partnership approach being adopted to promote sport at school
level.
The Collaboration Agreement signed in KwaZulu-Natal shall apply to all sport
programmes as envisaged in the School Enrichment Programme, SSMPP and the South
Africa Games.
In terms of the agreement each Department will take financial responsibility
for certain programmes and tournaments.
Under the agreement both parties express their willingness to co-operate in
the provision of school sport and recreation, as well as out of school junior
sport and recreation.
The agreement for an example now allows where necessary, the building of
sport and recreation facilities within the school boundaries by the MEC for
Sport and Recreation in consultation with MEC for Education. Such facilities
will be for use by both school and the community.
The MEC for Sport and Recreation Amichand Rajbansi pointed out that the two
departments have had a good working relationship already even before
formalisation of their partnership.
"There are many areas where we can jointly develop the youth. We have worked
excellently with education in sport," he said.
Ina Cronje, the MEC for Education said the agreement was a milestone in
KwaZulu-Natal.
"I must publicly thank you Rajbansi for what you have done for sport in
schools."
Cronje reiterated the importance of sport in education.
"By participation in sport you learn so many values and skills like working
as a team towards a common goal etc. Sport is much a part of education as the
work inside the classroom," she said.
Issued by: Department of Sport and Recreation, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial
Government
2 August 2007
