S Mnumzana: Free State Sports, Arts and Culture Prov Budget Vote
2007/08

16 March 2007

Mr Speaker
Honourable Premier
Honourable members of the Legislature
Mayors and councillors
Marena le Dikgosi
Consul General of India, Mr Harsh Vordham Shringla
Women veterans
Representatives of sport federations
Representatives of arts and culture councils
All the stakeholders of the department
Honoured guests
Ladies and gentlemen

There is no better way of beginning this statement than to relate to the
challenge the Honourable Premier Marshoff presented to us during her State of
the Province address that, "as government, our success depends on our ability
to encourage, harness and to incorporate into our endeavours, the energy of
youth and to create an environment where their true potential and talents will
flourish".

Mr Speaker, reflecting, we can safely say that the Department of Sport, Arts
and Culture has to the best of our ability pursued the quest to promote,
advance and entrench the spirit entailed in our vision: "An active, creative
and informed Free State Community". It is indeed our quest to ensure full and
active mass participation in sports activities, reading as well as in the arts
and in cultural matters.

Administration

Mr Speaker, honourable members, the challenge facing the administration has
been expressed in the State of the Nation address as being "to ensure that the
public sector discharges its responsibilities as a critical player in the
growth, reconstruction and development of our country". There is no doubt that
we need well-equipped administrative machinery if we are to succeed in our
quest to deliver services. The administration component in the department,
which constitutes part of programme one, plays a pivotal role in supporting
service delivery programmes and has achieved the following:

* Ten learners were appointed for the Information Technology (IT)
learnership and an induction programme for these learners was conducted in
June. In the context of the skills development challenge we are facing, the
learnership programme has to be advanced at a greater scale.
* A Senior Manager: Corporate Services was appointed on 1 June 2006 and this
helped to strengthen the Corporate Services Directorate in carrying out its
functions more effectively.
* With regard to equity, women constitute 45% of the management of the
department.

In terms of financial management the following are some of the
highlights:

* Establishment of the Risk Management Committee and appointment of a Risk
Manager to ensure the implementation of the Risk Management and Fraud
Prevention plans.
* We have a Functional Audit Committee

The following policies were approved:

* Loss Control Policy
* Supply Chain Management Policy
* Asset Management Policy
* Information Communication Technology Security Policy
* Amended IT Procurement Policy
* Lastly, the revenue collected exceeded the budget. We have moved from R211
000 to R4 million during the 2006/07 financial year as a result of the
integration of Mmabana Arts and Culture Centres, Basotho Cultural Village and
the Free State Science Institute.

The budget allocation for programme one is R26 983 000.

Arts and cultural affairs

Mr Speaker, programme two constitutes the biggest programme of the
department, targeting the arts and culture sector generally associated with
promoting social stability, creating and fostering identity and most
importantly, deepening democracy. In the words of Anton Nann, "A nation without
culture is a nation without a soul." An anonymous writer proclaimed, "When
seeds of culture are sown, nations will blossom."

In his State of the Nation address the President reminds us that, "The issue
of our variety of identities and the overarching sense of belonging to South
Africa needs to be better canvassed across society, in a manner that
strengthens our unity as a nation." The President further goes on to point out
that, "We are duty-bound to ask the question, have we all fully internalised
our responsibility in building social cohesion and promoting a common sense of
belonging, reinforcing the glue that holds our nation together?" Through arts
and culture, we are therefore dealing with the hearts and souls as well as the
minds in the quest to shape who we are as a people.

Language services

Honourable members, language, be it spoken; written or sign language is an
important resource of human development and empowerment. It is also an
instrument of communication and cultural identity. To this effect Nelson
Mandela said, "If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to
his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart."

Mr Speaker, the department concurs with the statement by the Pan South
African Language Board during its campaign at schools in the Free State that
language is a human rights issue and the department is well aware of the
diminishing status and interest in indigenous African languages, both spoken
and written.

The Wits University mathematician, Professor Sekati Mokhethi has conducted
research and advocates the use of indigenous languages in the teaching of maths
and science and projects that this would impact on school results.

Great strides have been made in the past year towards establishing a
framework for achieving a multilingual dispensation. The Free State Provincial
Government language policy was approved by the Executive Council and was
subsequently published in the Provincial Gazette in four languages, namely
Sesotho, Afrikaans, English and IsiXhosa. Positive press coverage followed, and
most of the public inputs received up to date have been very positive. The
public support gives us the courage to carry the process further. I agree with
the Volksblad editorial of 12 December 2006, which stated that the Free State
language policy can serve as a blueprint for a language policy for the whole
country.

Honourable members, now it is up to all government departments to implement
and support the promotion and marketing of this important watershed
document.

In the 2007/8 financial year we plan to formally adopt and launch the
language policy with a cost-effective implementation plan. I would like to
thank the Premier and my colleagues in the Executive Council for their firm
support at the highest level for this worthy undertaking.

Museum Services

Mr Speaker, museums preserve our heritage as a nation and thus assist in
constantly reminding us about who we are and where we come from. The
department's plan envisages leaving a sustainable social and cultural legacy
extending beyond the 2010 Federation International Football Association (FIFA)
World Cup. We plan to theme the museums in collaboration with communities in
identifying local values and stories that need preservation.

The following are notable achievements:

* The 50th Anniversary of the 1956 Women's Anti-Pass March programme was
successfully launched in Winburg.
* As part of the commemoration of the Women's March a national poetry
competition was run by the national Department of Arts and Culture. I am happy
to announce that, out of 12 national winners, three are learners from the Free
State province, namely Ms Bongiwe Ntechane, Ms Masabata Mokgesi and Ms Otsile
Ramagaga. Their work has been published in a book of poetry which was launched
on 9 March 2007 at Newmarket, Johannesburg. We congratulate them on this
achievement!
* The Koranna oral history project, which addresses the marginalisation of the
Koranna people, and the "Boshof Women of Substance" oral history project were
launched. This function brought the cross-section of the community of Boshof
together.
* National Heritage Day was celebrated in Vanstadensrus on 24 September 2006 in
partnership with Radio Lesedi.

Mr Speaker, may I announce that this year's Freedom Day celebration will be
celebrated under the national theme: "Renewing our pledge, a national
partnership to build a better life for all".

The processes of transforming National Afrikaans Literary Museum (NALN) and
developing the Sesotho Literary Museum to serve the communities of the Free
State are on track. The Sesotho Literature Museum, known as Dingolweng, is now
fully operational and has started with the collection of documents about the
Sesotho language.

Re bile le seabo se seholo ho thehweng ha mokgatlo o akaretsang mekgatlo
yohle ya bangodi Sesothong, e leng Mokgatlo wa Afrikaborwa wa Bangodi wa
Sesotho, o tsebahalang ka bokgutshwane e le MoabaSesotho, oo hajwale o sa
ntsaneng o le kahara meedi ya provense ena ya rona. Ngwahola re ile ra tlotla e
mong wa bangodi ba hlahelletseng ka mahetla Sesothong, e leng monghadi K P D
Maphalla.

On 8 December, we co-hosted the South African Literary Awards Gala Dinner
where Professor Keorapetse Willie Kgositsile was awarded the National Poet
Laureate Prize. This glittering occasion was graced by the presence of the
Minister of Arts and Culture, Dr Pallo Jordan and the Honourable Premier
Marshoff. Among the literary giants that were recognised during this event were
the Free Staters, E A S Lesoro, J J Moiloa; and Toek Blignaut who was buried in
Brandfort barely a month after receiving this award. I want to acknowledge the
contribution of Ms Blignaut towards the development of Afrikaans
literature.

Honourable members, the Basotho Cultural Village, as a living museum,
continues to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the Basotho people
of the Free State and its role continues to evolve.

Notable achievements of this museum are as follows:

* In order to address the high rate of unemployment among women and youths a
number of projects have been launched. About 18 crafts projects, which were
mostly established with funding from the national Department of Arts and
Culture, are sustainable. This has been realised through sales made at the
Basotho Cultural Village as well as through arts and crafts exhibitions at
Macufe.
* The number of visitors at the museum has increased from 22 418 in 2005/06 to
32 816 in 2006/07.
* The village kick-started oral history seminars called Pitsong. This is the
Sesotho word for general assembly in providing meaningful inputs for the
running of the village.
* About 227 youth organisations, school and religious groups took part in the
annual competitions presented in four categories, namely Drama, Monyanyako and
Gospel music as well as traditional dance. The competitions are aimed at
creating a platform for superstardom and entrepreneurship.

Community arts centres

Mr Speaker, honourable members, the integration process of Community Arts
and Cultural centres has enabled us to improve their operation and efficiency.
Notable achievements have been the creation of an efficient financial control
system, assets management and the rationalisation of services.

To ensure the realisation of this goal a manager has been appointed to
oversee the functioning of Community Arts centres and the development of their
appropriate programmes, anchoring them in the life of the communities where
they are situated. Mr Speaker, the recent appointments of cultural facilitators
will increase access to arts and culture programmes by communities situated at
the periphery of the major centres.

Musicon

With regard to the Musicon some of the milestones that have been realised
are as follows:

* A singing section has been created at the Musicon. The voice as an
instrument can now be studied in the same manner as other symphonic instruments
of the orchestra at the Musicon. This form of music is a genre in which black
students excel and it therefore addresses the racial imbalance of the student
population at the Musicon.
* Three lecturers have been appointed to teach singing. Two of them are from
the previously disadvantaged community.
* One of the black learners of the Mangaung String project, Ms Refiloe Olifant,
was invited to visit the Chethams Music School in Manchester, England.
* Nineteen Musicon students were part of the National Youth Symphony Orchestra
that toured Germany in September 2006.
* Twenty-two Musicon students performed at the Stellenbosch International Music
Festival in Cape Town.
* The Mangaung String Orchestra performed at the South Africa Music Educators
Trust in Johannesburg.

Mr Speaker, at the gala dinner tonight we will be showcasing our young
talented orchestra together with the six guest artists from India in an
ensemble. We invite the honourable members to join us and enjoy the music.

Performing, Visual Arts and Crafts

Mr Speaker, the Performing, Visual and Crafts programme contributes towards
poverty alleviation in the following way:

* Nineteen craft projects representing the Free State province were selected
to exhibit during the One of a Kind Trade Show, which is an exhibition that
creates a unique platform for the very best individually crafted designers'
home ware, décor items and corporate gifts.
* Sixty craft projects and visual artists representing the five districts in
the Free State, participated in the Macufe 2006 Craft Market.
* Twenty craft projects represented the Free State during the Beautiful Things
Craft Supermarket from 29 November to 3 December 2006. The craft supermarket
was organised by the First Lady, Mrs Zanele Mbeki.
* The Basha Arts Festival organised and presented by the Free State Youth
Commission was held from 19 June to 1 July 2006. Four hundred and 67 youths
from five districts of the Free State received training in beadwork, drama,
traditional dance, contemporary music, the fine arts, film, poetry and
music.
* Mr Speaker, a unique partnership has been established with the National
Productivity Institute in order to bring a high technological method of product
development and operational efficiency to the craft industry to ensure that
crafters become competitive and are able to sustain their livelihood. The
Yesintu/Setso/Craft development programme celebrates local culture in the
design of their products.
* In the drive to speed up development in the field of Performing Arts, we have
entered into a partnership with Performing Arts Centre of the Free State
(PACOFS) to restructure what was previously known as Vuka Music Festival into
being an all inclusive arts development festival now called Vuka Arts
Development Festival, which will take place during April 2007. The project will
assist us to reach all corners of the province searching for groups and
individual artists to develop and expose at the festival in Bloemfontein.

Statutory bodies

Mr Speaker, the following statutory bodies' term of office expires on 31
March 2007: the Geographical Names Committee and the Free State Heritage
Council. It is envisaged that the new councils will take office during the
2007/08 financial year.

The budget allocation for programme two is R52 815 000

Programme three: Library and archives services

Mr Speaker, honourable members, we have said in the past that libraries
remain institutions dedicated to preserving and collecting the written word, to
facilitating public access to diverse sources of information and
interpretation, and to providing resources for the education and civilisation
of future generations.

Library services

In the past year:

* Two new public libraries, namely Fateng Tse Ntsho in Paul Roux and
Qalabotjha in Villiers, were completed and opened to the public. Both libraries
were provided with an Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure
consisting of 10 computers each and a line connection which provides Internet
access to communities. Each library also has a book stock of 9 000 plus items
and is subscribed to a number of periodicals and newspapers. Each library also
boasts an educational toy section, serving young children, their parents and
caretakers; a literacy service to literacy learners; and business information
and government information services.
* The library services component continued with the provision of public library
services in almost all the towns in the Free State. Services are rendered at
161 service points which include the following: 137 public libraries, 10
school-community libraries, 10 depots at institutions like hospitals, prisons
and military bases and four special libraries at nursing colleges and the
provincial government offices.
* A total of 44 371 items of new library materials (books and audio visual and
electronic formats) to the value of R4 million were provided to these
libraries; government information services were established at 15 libraries,
business information services at five libraries and literacy support sections
at five libraries.
* Eight hundred and eighteen successful holiday programmes and 1 730 story
hours were presented to children at all libraries. With this initiative
libraries are making a meaningful contribution to keeping our children
creatively and positively occupied, thus preventing them from becoming victims
of or participants in crime, drug abuse and other ills besetting our
communities.
* Computers were provided to two libraries which brings the total number of
libraries with an ICT infrastructure to 20. The programme to provide ICT to
libraries will be accelerated in 2007/08.
* Approximately 32% of the Free State population (88 4016 people) are
registered users of public libraries whilst the libraries are visited by
approximately 3,5 million people annually. Of the 88 4016 registered users 40
1016 are registered borrowers while 48 3000 people are in-house users. These
figures give an indication of the active use being made of these
facilities.
* The Public Library of the Year Awards were held on 29 February. The overall
provincial winner was Thabong II Library in Welkom which was also the district
winner for the Lejweleputswa District. The department would like to
congratulate the overall provincial winner as well as the district winners for
their achievements and thank them for their diligence and dedication to serving
their communities.
* Volunteers, who make a valuable contribution to the service delivery at
libraries, were also recognised for their efforts. Special mention should be
made of the Soul Buddiez Volunteer Group from Makeleketla, a group of young
children, 12 years of age, who run a community vegetable garden at the library,
thus serving the poor and unemployed in the community.

In 2007/08, the Free State will receive an amount of R16,4 million by means
of a conditional grant to upgrade library services and assist municipalities
with service delivery. The conditional grant will be used for the following
projects:

* Assisting municipalities with additional staff at public libraries: 54
libraries: R4,1 million
* Building and developing skills of library staff: R100 000
* Providing ICT infrastructure: 40 libraries will be provided with four
computers each and line connectivity: R4,5 million
* Upgrading library collections: dated collections will be upgraded at 20
libraries: R4 million
* Upgrading library buildings: R1,3 million
* Providing photocopiers to 15 libraries: R45 million
* Improving staff capacity in the Sub-programme: R1,5 million

Archive services

In terms of archive services the importance of good record, keeping in
government offices is often overlooked with the result that important
information about the transformation of our government and society might get
lost. The main function of Archive Services is to ensure that governmental
bodies establish and maintain proper records systems, and that important public
records are stored and preserved in the Archives Repository.

The following milestones were reached through this sub-programme:

During the past year a Provincial Records Management Policy was developed
and it was approved by the Executive Council. In terms of the Executive Council
Resolution all departments and other governmental bodies must have implemented
the policy by March 2008. Proper records management is one of the key
objectives of the Governance and Administration Cluster and the department will
continue to assist departments with this important task.

As part of the projects to be run by this sub-programme in the next
financial year, there will be the commemoration of Bram Fischer with the
unveiling of documents donated by the Fischer family to the Free State
archives.

The budget allocation for the 2007/08 financial year for this programme is
R51 677 000 including the conditional grant of R16 470 000.

Programme four: Sport and Recreation

Mr Speaker, honourable members, ladies and gentlemen, undoubtedly, the 2010
FIFA World Cup presents both challenges and opportunities for us. Therefore,
whatever we are doing from now on, in terms of sport and recreation, should be
with a view to ensuring that a positive mood, spirit and climate are created in
the province for that 2010 event. It is in this context that the Honourable
Premier Marshoff pronounced in the State of the Province addresses that, "sport
and recreation and social activism will define the key features of our
campaigns this year". To this end the FIFA 2010 World Cup Fanfare event, which
we are hosting tomorrow at the Seisa Ramabodu stadium, marks the beginning of
the mobilisation campaign in partnership with the Mangaung Local Municipality,
South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) Sport and Radio Lesedi.
Honourable members and the public are cordially invited.

The sport and recreation programme consists of two components which are
community sport and the Free State Sport Science Institute.

Community sport

The Siyadlala Mass Participation Programme, for which the department
received a conditional grant allocation of R6,38 million for the current
financial period, has achieved the following:

* The O R Tambo Games with over 1 000 participants were held during June in
Sasolburg in partnership with the municipalities.
* Indigenous games were held in Mpumalanga during September 2006 and the Free
State team had 85 participants.
* One hundred and fifty participants took part in the Gymnaestrada National
Festival held in Pretoria and the province obtained first place. From this team
six gymnasts will be representing the country in the Austrian International
Gymnaestrada Festival during July.
* In recognising and observing the International Day of the Elderly, and the
contribution made by our senior citizens to the struggle for our freedom, a
recreational programme for senior citizens was held throughout the province in
all five districts under the theme, "Active senior citizens do make a
difference". The programme culminated in the provincial event which had
approximately 1 000 participants. I want to thank the Department of Social
Development and the Department of Health for partnering with us in this
programme.
* Sixty jobs were created for activity and hub co-ordinators within the
Siyadlala Mass Participation Programme.
* The total number of participants in the programme to date is 223 839, of that
number 3 230 are elderly, 1 547 disabled, 220 286 youths and 125 831
women.
* Forty seven people were trained in first aid, life skills, HIV and AIDS. 69
were trained in basic sport administration. 35 were trained in refereeing and
22 in coaching.
* The province will be hosting the South Africa Games 2007 from 23 to 29
September 2007 in Mangaung. Team preparation has started in full swing with the
assistance of all relevant stakeholders.

The conditional grant allocation of R7,7 million for the 2007/08 financial
year was received for the Siyadlala Mass Participation Programme. With this
allocation 90 job opportunities for activity and hub co-ordinators will be
created. 204 people will be trained in basic sport administration, life skills,
HIV and AIDS as well as refereeing and coaching. The number of hubs will be
increased from 20 to 30 which will result in more hub activities.

The School Sport Mass Participation Programme for the current financial year
received a conditional grant of R3,4 million. It was the first time that the
department received this grant. The grant allocation has yielded the following
results:

* Fifty schools were identified in collaboration with the Department of
Education and the School Governing Bodies to ensure that the schools meet the
set criteria for participating in this programme.
* Fifty-five jobs were created for assistant provincial co-ordinator, cluster
co-ordinators and sport assistants.
* Nine hundred educators were involved in the programme and 13 200 learners
took part. Two hundred and three educators and volunteers were trained as
coaches in athletics, volleyball and cricket. 196 educators were trained as
referees and 55 were trained in sport administration and events
management.
* Road shows were held throughout the province in partnership with the
Department of Education to inform the schools about the programme.
* The United Kingdom exchange programme for schools, called the British Linkage
Programme, has been established with the British government. From 19 to 21
March 2007, the department will be hosting learners and educators from Britain
as part of the programme.
* The department held two district festivals, one for the Motheo district in
November 2006 and another for the Fezile Dabi district in February 2007. The
events were a success and more than 2 000 learners participated.
* The talent identification facilitators' programme has commenced with the
training of 50 educators and 50 volunteers in the five districts.

The conditional grant allocation for the School Mass Participation Sport
programme has increased from R3,4 million to R6,8 million for the 2007/08
financial year. With this allocation we intend to:

* increase the number of schools involved in the programme from 50 to 90
across the province
* increase the number of educators in the programme from 900 to 1 440
* increase the number of learners from 13 200 to 21 120
* create 90 jobs within the school Mass Participation Sport programme
* train 101 volunteers and educators in the programme on Event Management,
Basic Sport Administration, Life Skills and First Aid and 281 on technical
aspects for all sport codes.

For the 2007/08 financial year the Club Development programme, aimed at
creating a platform to fast-track transformation of sport by providing smooth
and sustainable passage along the sport development continuum in South Africa,
has realised the following:

* Thirty-nine clubs are currently in the project within the province, of
which 12 are male soccer clubs, 14 female soccer clubs and 13 netball clubs
identified in consultation with the local sports council and local sports
associations.
* One hundred and one co-ordinators have been trained in Basic Sports
Management and Administration.
* Eight male soccer clubs are participating in formal league structures and
three of these clubs, from Lejweleputswa, Motheo and Xhariep, are playing in
the South African breweries regional league and have been assisted with
transport to honour their away-league games within the region.
* The Club Development project was launched in the province on 10 March 2007 in
Ladybrand.

The Club Development programme has received an allocation of R1 million for
the 2007/08 financial year and with this allocation:

* thirty more clubs will be identified and spread to other
municipalities
* one hundred and eighty nine people will be trained as coaches and
referees
* two hundred people will be trained in sports management and
administration
* sixteen jobs will be created for coordinators within the Club Development
project.

Municipal Infrastructure Grant

Mr Speaker, with the integration of sport funding into the Municipal
Infrastructure Grant we want to place on record our sincere appreciation to the
municipalities that have managed to prioritise the upgrading of sport
facilities in their areas.

Free State Sport Science Institute:

Mr Speaker, honourable members, we are trying to ensure that the directorate
of the Free State Sport Science Institute, the only government-supported high
performance and wellness facility in the country, is firmly positioned to take
sport science to the people. Over a period of nine months, 7 212 athletes were
assisted with sport science and exercise rehabilitation services, an increase
of 40%. The department is in the process of setting up two satellite centres of
the Institute in the Thabo Mofutsanyana and Fezile Dabi districts.

A training manual called "Sport Science for Coaches" was developed. This
training manual is the only manual in the country that focuses on the
scientific explanation on how coaches can use sport science as a competitive
tool to enhance their athletes' performance.

Mr Speaker, as part of our retention strategy for talented athletes the
department is investing in athletes by way of providing bursaries, scholarships
and job opportunities. Just to mention two, Mr Dumisani Hlaselo was appointed
as district sport trainer. Dumisani is the current national record holder in
the 1 500 and 3 000 metres races in his age group. He represented South Africa
in Madagascar, Athens and Thessalonica in 2006. The second is Mr Masungi
Struben Mathumbu, who is a biokineticist, is currently appointed at the
Institute as Assistant Manager for sport science and coaching support. Masungi
Struben Mathumbu has just obtained the qualification of Certified Strength and
Conditioning Specialist. This qualification is an internationally accredited
qualification and with this achievement, we believe that the department can
make an even bigger contribution to the development of sport in the
province.

For the 2007/08 financial year the following programmes will be
undertaken:

* preparation of the "Free State Team" for the 2007 South African
Games
* assisting the Free State Academy of Sport with its capacity building
programme of training a Talent Identification Facilitator
* execute the unique training course for coaches known as "Sport Science for
coaches"
* activate the Corporate and Community Wellness Programmes not only to assist
in the well-being of our department's management but also to work hand-in-glove
with the Department of Health and Social Development in making the broader
public aware of good exercise regimes and their benefit.

The budget allocation for programme four for the 2007/08 financial year is
R37 017 million including a conditional grant of R15 206 million.

Challenges

Mr Speaker, honourable members, despite all these milestones we have
conquered, challenges still remain. The challenge of staffing is common amongst
most if not all of the programmes I have outlined above. As programmes roll out
in line with community needs, there is a need to match this roll-out with a
staff complement.

The upgrading and maintenance of infrastructure is another major challenge
that confronts us. This is particularly so with regard to some of our museums,
where we also need to address the issue of accessibility for the disabled.

Lastly, the funding and strengthening of federations as well as the
resourcing of the area of competitive sport in the province are matters that
require our urgent attention.

Mr Speaker, honourable members, ladies and gentlemen, surely the path we
have travelled so far is indicative of the commitment we have to respond to
these and other challenges.

The clarion calls made by both the President and the Premier in their, inter
alia, State of the Nation Address and State of the Province Address serve as a
battle cry for us to rise to and address the socio-economic and political
challenges of our times. The milestones conquered so far speak volumes about
our commitment to ensuring that sport, arts and culture are alive in the
province.

Honourable members, may I take this opportunity to thank all the people who
have contributed towards the progress that we have made as a department. These
people have given us immense strength in the face of difficult challenges that
we confront. I want to thank Premier Beatrice Marshoff and my colleagues in the
Executive Council for being a pillar of strength which we lean on every
time.

May I also thank this house for its oversight role ensuring that we are on
track as regard the policy processes. I also want to thank all our stakeholders
in the sport, arts and culture sectors for their continued support of our
programmes.

My thanks are also extended to management and personnel in the department,
who are under the very able and inspiring administrative leadership of the head
of this department, Ms Rachel Sempe. May you continue with the sterling work
and build on their milestones we have reported today. Lastly, I thank my family
for giving me the moral support that is so much needed in the fulfilment of my
public duties.

Mr Speaker, as a sector we need to ensure that arts and culture become
better after 2010 but that the 2010 Federation International Football
Association World Cup should also be enriched by arts and culture.

Let the African drum beat, and beat as loudly as the manifestation of the
African artistic and cultural soul.

I thank you

Issued by: Department of Arts and Culture, Free State Provincial
Government
16 March 2007
Source: Free State Provincial Government (http://www.fs.gov.za)