Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Honourable Nocawe Mafu at Emarhambeni Primary School
It is indeed a pleasure and a privilege to address you at this official opening and handover of this beautiful Multi-purpose Sports Court right here in Qumbu (Emarhambeni).
The month of June is synonymous with the commemoration of the Soweto Upraising, this year (2021) marks 45 years since the 1976 Student uprising which today is celebrated as Youth Day.
When this month was declared Youth Month and June 16 declared Youth Day back in 1994, it was aimed at remembering those who died and suffered 45 years ago in the hands of the brutal apartheid police and the discriminatory laws of the then government. Youth Month was further declared to teach the youth about the legacy and principles of selflessness, determination and devotion that are necessary for success and growth for any society or nation.
Youth Month this year once more occurs within the harsh context of the Corona virus which has recently reached the third wave in most parts of the country therefore making it impossible for the Department to deliver optimally on its Government mandate.
Another significant event relating to youth month include the observation of the 42nd year of the execution of the legend youth leader Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu.
The year 2021 further marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of liberation struggle heroine and human rights campaigner Charlotte Mannya Maxeke.
Charlotte Mannya Maxeke was a South African religious leader, social and political activist, the first black woman to graduate in South Africa with a B.Sc from Wilberforce University Ohio in 1903, as well as the first black African woman to graduate from an American university. Her zest, tenacity and undying spirit will always be remembered and shape our tomorrow.
In keeping with the Department’s mandate of creating an enabling environment, this Multipurpose Sport Court that I am handing over on behalf of my department has been constructed to ensure that South Africans especially those living in previously disadvantaged areas remain physically active and have access to sport facilities, assisting as well with preventing our communities from suffering lifestyle diseases, eliminating obesity and creating champions amongst school going learners.
The provision of this multi-purpose sports court will not only benefit the learners of Emarhambeni Primary School but hundreds of learners from other schools as well as community members as they will be required to share the facility.
This is the approach the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture really advocates. We cannot build a strong foundation at community level if we do not promote the shared spaces and facilities. These are after all, community investments, and should benefit all in the community who need them. We really want to make sure that as many South Africans as possible have access to the benefits that sport and recreation activities have to offer.
Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to give you a detailed background into the Multi-purpose Sports Courts Programme. The Sports Trust works with Department who serve to implement our “vision” of “An active, creative, winning and socially cohesive nation” in the construction of the multi-purpose sports courts such as this one and others around the country. This started in 2010, with the first sport court being placed in Northern Cape with the Department providing the Funding.
The multipurpose sport court provides an ideal solution of increasing participation in sport and recreation activities at a school level. The learners at this school now have an opportunity of participating in 5 sporting codes that this facility will accommodate.: 5-a-side football, netball, basketball, volleyball and tennis, and have a lifespan of 20 years and a warranty of fifteen years, with very low maintenance. This means that this multipurpose sport court will create a “sporting hub” in this community and ensure that the children and youth can continue to be active in sport, playing on a world class surface and court, and continue to grow their sporting talent for the next 20 years
As a custodian of sport, we will work together with all stakeholders to ensure that this facility becomes a conveyer belt of the next generation of athlete’s excellence
Ladies and Gentlemen, as we commemorate Youth month in honour of those who fought for freedom and the birth and creation of a democratic state, today’s activism is directed towards successfully tackling the challenges of poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, HIV and AIDS, teenage pregnancy, obesity, personal health and development, and economic freedom. The Sport, Arts and culture sector has been positioned to fight the scourge of substance abuse, women abuse and provide positive activities towards youth development.
In particular, youth have borne the brunt of abuse with the emergence of local drugs such as Nyaope and Kubar. The drug problem is complex and requires decisive and collective national action.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is our poorer communities that suffer from the scourge of children being exposed to ruthless drug lords who entice them to take or pedal drugs and other harmful substances. While it is the task of the police to deal with the criminals, it is our responsibility as society to ensure that all role players within communities unite and provide alternative opportunities like for instance, participation in sporting activities rather than getting involved in drugs.
It requires collective and united efforts of parents, civil society, faith-based organisations and communities in tackling this scourge. We urge parents, relatives and other community structures to play a role in raising awareness and providing the necessary support to those affected. As communities, we also need to play a big brother role and report those involved in the illicit trades within society inclusive of the sale of illegal substances so that we can fight and rid our society of the scourge.
Although these outdoor multi-purpose sports courts have a twenty-year lifespan, I want to appeal to the schools and the community to ensure that these facilities are properly managed and maintained. Notwithstanding the huge backlog in sport facilities in South Africa, unfortunately, we have a poor record when it comes to the management and maintenance of facilities.
I am optimistic that these facilities will definitely be the start of a new era in this school and its community. To the leaders it is now up to you to ensure that scheduling and usage of the facilities optimises sport participation and that, not too distance future we see the talent emerging into our national teams.
In addition, it is my great pleasure to present Equipment and Attire to Twenty-Eight Beneficiaries of Emarhambeni.
Thank You
