8 June 2007
Honourable Premier,
Honourable Speaker,
Fellow MEC's,
Honourable Members,
Members of the Sports, Arts, and Culture and
Library communities present today
Introduction
We are pleased to announce a budget of almost R300 million, an increase of 109% since 2004. We are particularly pleased about the substantial increases for school sport, libraries and mass participation programmes. These are areas which members of the legislature have long argued needed greater attention.
In his midterm review of the Gauteng Provincial government, our honourable Premier highlighted priorities to ensure this government fulfils its political mandate by 2009. These are to build Gauteng as a globally competitive city region; to implement the Gauteng Social Development Strategy; to build sustainable communities and to strengthen the organisation and the capacity of the state.
Our department has developed two overarching strategies to guide our work and contribute meaningfully to the four key areas highlighted by our Premier: the Integrated Sports Strategy and the Creative Industries' Development Framework.
These strategies guide us in ensuring that not only do sports, arts and culture assist us in making a substantial contribution to the growth of the Gauteng economy, in creating jobs and alleviating poverty, but that their significant role in promoting social stability, cohesion, deepening democracy and nation building is always assured.
In delivering this budget speech I wish to draw attention to the target areas which were outlined in the mid-term review. These provide a framework for assessing the department's achievements and highlighting how our budget allocation of R296.6 million for the 2007/08 financial year supports our strategic objectives.
Investing in Sport
Our investment in sport has a two-fold intention: the first is to develop the economic potential of the sector as a contributor to economic growth and job creation, and the second to utilize sport in realizing our social development objectives.
No one has encapsulated the value of sports as a development tool quite as well as our own former President Nelson Mandela at the 2000 Laureus World Sport Awards when he said: "Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. Sport can awaken hope where there was previously only despair."
Sport also incorporates many values, such as team work, diversity, the importance of inclusion and of course, the development of identity. Sport is a vehicle to promote a healthy lifestyle, discipline, leadership and empowerment amongst all the citizens of Gauteng.
Recent research conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) in January 2005 found that 94% of respondents in the study felt that sport has a positive impact on physical health and fitness, 90% felt that sport has an impact on the quality of life and 82% felt that sport makes a difference in reducing social problems.
The Integrated Sports Strategy
The Integrated Sports Strategy, approved by the Executive Council this year, accepts these compelling statistics by creating an enabling environment for sport starting from a base of mass participation in communities and in schools. It provides a framework that guides all of our activities to ensure that sport is at the heart of efforts to improve the lives of all citizens in Gauteng. It provides for development programmes to identify new talent both for competitive school sports and for representative sport as well as for coaching, technical officiating and administrative capabilities. Our high performance programme then sustains our competitive sports strategy.
A significant implementation mechanism of the Integrated Sports Strategy is the Grant-In-Aid Policy. This policy aims to ensure federations, non-governmental organisations and local government focus attention on building sporting assets in disadvantaged communities.
Sports Coordination and Collaboration
SASCOC has ultimate responsibility for ensuring co-ordination of federations and sporting structures. While decisions on the final form of provincial forums are yet to be decided upon, Gauteng has established an Interim Provincial Forum. This Forum represents all sporting codes and sub forums in the province. This development allows the sports sector to communicate with Government with one voice.
Mass participation
Mass participation in sport, covering both community recreation and school sport, is a key pillar of the Integrated Sports Strategy. The Community Recreation Programme is now based in forty recreation centres across the province, including the twenty townships prioritized by Provincial Government for regeneration. The budget for this programme has also grown from R32million in the last financial year to R36.3 million for 2007/08.
The programme offers daily aerobics, volley ball, soft ball and street soccer as well as coaching in the seven priority sporting codes. To date this programme has developed 230 community-based coaches who receive accredited training and a stipend. This number will increase to 360 in the course of 2007. We believe that by promoting the participation of children, youth and adults in recreational sport on a regular basis we are contributing to healthy lifestyles and sustainable communities.
Over the school holidays we offer a variety of sporting codes and indigenous games including Football, Cricket, Rugby Swimming, Diketo and Morabaraba.
Last year the entire programme was attended by six hundred thousand participants. In 2007/8 we aim to target eight hundred thousand participants across forty hubs.
It is important to note that these programmes are dependent on collaboration, and we are proud to be part of programmes that are not only successful in their own right but are also examples of how government, communities and stakeholders are working together for a better Gauteng. Examples of this partnership include last year's 702 Walk the Talk where the department sponsored 1800 youth to participate and this year's Freedom Day Fun Run together with the City of Tshwane which attracted 2000 young runners.
School Sport Programme
Our school sport programme is an important tool to enhance mass participation in sport for which we have budgeted R18, 4 million for this financial year. It is almost universally true that strong sports performance starts from a very young age, and if we are to truly become the "Home of Champions" we must continue to ensure that sports of all kinds are offered at schools throughout the province. The school sports programme, governed by a memorandum of understanding with the Gauteng Department of Education will ensure that: a Provincial School Sport Structure is established; 9 tournaments are held across a range of sporting codes; 2 international exchange programmes are held; we enhance school leagues for 200 schools; 121 contract workers are appointed and equipped to support the school sport programmes; targeted schools receive equipment sets and playing kits; 140 primary and 60 secondary schools are involved in Wednesday league; and schools continue to benefit from the input of trained coaches and officials.
Competitive School Sports
Our competitive school sport programme serves as an induction phase to expose our youth to the competitive sporting environment so that they may eventually become participants in the High Performance Sport Programme. This year we have allocated R3,4million to this programme. Included here are a range of provincial, national, confederation and international tournaments for young people in schools, such as track and field athletics, aquatics, winter sport, farm school festivals, cross-country and summer games.
Gauteng will host the Southern African School Sport Regional Indaba during the month of August. Through the Picardie Partnership with the French Crêpes, we are developing high performance coaches in schools.
This latter programme will involve 10 coaches from France empowering lead coaches in South Africa covering football for boys and girls, netball and track and field athletics, with an emphasis on field events.
Building High Performance Athletes
Since 2004 Provincial Government has partnered with five high performance sport centres in our tertiary Institutions. Our aim has been to ensure disadvantaged athletes can access these programmes. To date four hundred have been supported and a further 200 students are part of the programme this year. The various tertiary institutions monitor the scholastic performance of the students and provide continuous feedback in the areas of scientific tests, medical screening, competition and nutritional support, high performance training and competitions as well as support with all tuition requirements within the institution. We have allocated R1.5 million for this programme in the current budget. In recent discussions with SASCOC, the President indicated his approval for this model for Gauteng.
A further R3.5 million is allocated to sports federations for high performance development in our seven priority codes and the six additional codes within the South African Games Programme. The federations are responsible for coaching clinics, talent identification, selection trials for Team Gauteng and team delivery.
Gauteng Home of Champions
Our competitive sports strategy will focus on ensuring that Gauteng is actively engaged in attracting and hosting major events and implementing measures to ensure that sport contributes to the Gauteng economy and in promoting high performance sport.
The Department is committed to significantly raising the bar in relation to the roll out of the Competitive Sports Strategy using the opportunities provided by the preparation towards a successful FIFA 2010 World Cup. The integration of the Province's 2010 plans and activities into existing initiatives dovetails with a number of our province's shared economic growth and development initiatives. It serves the dual purpose of successfully hosting the World Cup and enhancing longer term sustainability of the Province, creating job opportunities and contributing to the tourism industry.
Through a focused implementation of Gauteng's "Home of Champions" concept, we will use competitive sport to build unity and pride in our province while marketing the Province as an investment, sporting, touring and cultural destination.
We have bid successfully for other national and international events which will profile Gauteng as "The Home of Champions". The list includes the Corrie Saunders fight that took place on the 12th May this year, the Nike/SAFA Manchester tournament, a national Under 19 and Under 21 Netball tournament in Ekurhuleni, the South African Sport Association for Physically Disabled - National Winter Multi-code Games and the Confederation Schools Ball Games.
In addition we have ensured that the final of the Vodacom Challenge Cup take place in Gauteng for the next three years. This year we will see Pirates and Chiefs take on Tottenham Hotspurs.
Last year our province hosted the Vodacom Challenge Cup Final at Loftus in Tshwane. This event attracted 43 000 spectators, employed 642 security personnel, registered 128 informal traders and provided 219 work opportunities in support services.
SoccerEx
For the next three years we are the host to SoccerEx, the world's largest business to business soccer expo. The department is working hard, in collaboration with GEDA, the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller and Gauteng Tourism to ensure that this event will be the biggest and the best yet. We have been fortunate enough to visit Dubai and see for ourselves the opportunities that this massive event presents - a learning experience that we will certainly incorporate into our plans.
SoccerEx will provide opportunities for exhibitors and delegates to network with suppliers and manufacturers, key buyers and decision makers in international football. Taking place from the 26th-28th November at the Sandton Convention Centre this year, this event will attract approximately 4000 delegates and exhibitors, and is expected to inject more than R700 million into the Gauteng economy.
A critical part of our investment will be 200 square metres of subsidized exhibition space and conference delegate status for 50 small and medium businesses to forge partnerships and advertise their wares. Prior to the event we will host road shows in the metros to engage with the SMMEs and assist in setting standards for the goods to be exhibited. This will ensure that there is a strong empowerment focus to the event in Gauteng.
2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup
In March this year Provincial Government successfully launched its 2010 Integrated Strategic Framework. This brings together all contributions by provincial and local government to ensure a successful tournament in Gauteng.
Province has allocated R60 million in this budget year for the third phase upgrade of Sinaba and H M Pitje stadia as 2010 practice venues. This further demonstrates Provincial Government's commitment to building football assets in disadvantaged communities and leaving a lasting legacy of development through our commitment to 2010.
In addition to building the love of football, we will be paying particular attention to the economic opportunities represented by the event and also developing a volunteer programme for youth to be involved in the hosting of the event. Two weeks ago our first group of twelve young volunteers left for FIFA's Zurich Congress where together with MATCH they learned protocol and hosting skills.
Libraries
Honourable Members, in every previous Budget debate you have drawn attention to the important role that libraries play in supporting a knowledge-based society. Therefore the increase in the allocation for Library and Archival Services from R14.2 5million in 2006/7 to R38million (an increase of 167,2%) in this budget period, is much needed and appreciated. The National Department of Arts and Culture has made a conditional grant of R18.8 million available to recapitalize libraries. This additional budgetary resource will be used to support and assist municipal libraries to provide information resources and services to communities. They will also be used to install information and communication technology via targeted fund transfers.
This programme will use R5million to support municipalities to implement reading programmes, to purchase books and other material, subscribe to newspapers and other periodicals, and provide reference and information services.
R5.2 million will be used to provide an integrated and functional ICT infrastructure network and system for all libraries. In this way, libraries, particularly in the 20 Priority Townships, will be equipped with ICT hardware and software and their capacity to utilise this ICT will be increased. A further R18.8 million will be used to capacitate local government library information services towards a transformed service delivery.
Through the functional ICT infrastructure network within local government community libraries, this programme will achieve two aims: it will provide social benefits to the citizens of Gauteng, and at the same time make a significant investment in enhancing the globally competitive city region concept.
Creative Gauteng
The Creative Industries' Development Framework adopted by the executive Council in October 2005 and endorsed by stakeholders at the Creative Industries Summit in March 2006 remains the focal point for our work in arts and culture.
Gauteng is host to a vibrant creative community and economy, representing 40% of all cultural activity in the country with significant government investment in initiatives in promoting arts and culture sectors, precincts, heritage sites, events and international festivals and conferences.
Our implementation of the Creative Industries' Development framework will ensure that we continue to support this vast talent and develop sustainable programmes and events for our artists to showcase their work and excel in their field.
To develop the creative industries we will be using the value chain model. This model helps us to look at all the steps involved in creating, producing, marketing and consuming an art form. In the past, government funding tended to focus on talent identification and development while ignoring production, marketing and audience reception. Our new approach allows us to intervene in different ways to support those processes that most need government funding.
The department's interventions in the creative sector will be underpinned by our creative mapping of Gauteng and are designed to enhance the value chain for each of these sectors thereby ensuring that all aspects of the creative process are supported. This year we have budgeted for R25.7 million to support the artistic and creative expression of our Gauteng talent and ensure that their cultural products are developed, produced, seen and experienced by local and international audiences.
Grants-in-Aid
In this financial year I am pleased to announce that our grant-in-aid allocation managed by the Gauteng Arts and Culture Council [GACC] has increased to R6.5 million. This represents an increase of 600% from 2004/05. We will shortly announce the names of the 77 organisations from across the province that will benefit from the fund.
The GACC has streamlined its processes to allow for a broader funding scope with more diverse categories of funding as well as a three year funding cycle. Our intention this year is to finalise our work with the Gauteng Economic Propeller [GEP] to establish a user-friendly referral system for creative enterprises to apply for the financial and business development support services offered by GEP.
Carnival in Gauteng
The spectacular Pale Ya Rona carnival held in September every year remains our largest investment in cultural programmes at a community level for which we have allocated R3million in this budget. The 2006 carnival saw 5200 participants interact with an 8000 strong crowd throughout the streets of Johannesburg. The carnival was a grand spectacle causing a stir on the streets and evoking positive interest and curiosity.
Carnival provides a unique opportunity for social dialogue across diverse groups and for community building and hence contributes positively to enhancing cultural diversity. Through the medium of carnival we ensure skills transfer to participating communities in terms of costume and float making, stage rigging, the running of stalls, food preparation, make up and set design. The community troupes draw on history, heritage, icons, symbols, rituals and traditions in a way that allows for the entire area to feel connected and proud of the outcome. We will increase community participation in 2007 to have 40 community based troupes across the province with training in carnival management delivered to community arts centres and mass participation hubs.
There are still many challenges to overcome as we prepare for future carnivals both from an internal management and logistical point, and in our partnerships with municipalities, but there is no doubt that this major attraction has become an important date on our calendar. The event is also beginning to be a contributor to job creation for small enterprises.
The Pale Ya Rona Carnival has been registered by the World Carnival Commission as the only carnival on the African continent. We fully expect it to go from strength to strength.
Developing Gauteng's craft sector
Gauteng is regarded as a gateway to Africa and also the country's engine of economic growth. The craft sector benefits greatly from its position in our province. Various interventions that enhance the craft value chain will ensure that all aspects are supported.
In this financial year, we will complete the audit of craft assets in the province and finalise decisions about appropriate interventions needed to create an enabling environment and to grow the sector.
We are initiating product development training in partnership with the department of Trade and Industry and we anticipate that both SoccerEx and the 2010 World Cup will inspire the development of innovative new craft products.
On the production level, interventions include the piloting of a craft development hub with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the support of emerging artists to exhibit products on a number of high-profile exhibitions. The participation of 20 crafters in the significant "One of a Kind " exhibition; the finalisation of a gift catalogue for Gauteng craft, as well as our presence at the Rand show are all strategies to introduce audiences to new crafters and to expand marketing opportunities for new entrants to the industry.
We will continue the networking relationship that we created in 2005 with Santa Fe by facilitating partnerships between Gauteng-based artists, business, crafters and designers with their counterparts in Santa Fe in New Mexico.
Support for Gauteng's Music Industry
The South African music industry has a significant presence in our province. Gauteng is home to South African jazz and many other genres of music either originate in this province or are recorded here. Again our interventions target key areas of the value chain.
We will continue to support the Moshito music market which comprises a conference, trade exhibition and music showcase and contributes significantly to the improved distribution of local music. This conference informs and inspires the players in the South African music industry by giving them access to credible business intelligence so that they can make informed business decisions and build a competitive advantage for their companies.
Gauteng Home of Jazz
To ensure the continual growth of our rich musical heritage we will continue with our Puisano Jazz in the Taverns initiative to provide opportunities for young and established musicians to play and be heard by their communities in the taverns around Gauteng.
We will also ensure that jazz venues such as Kippies survive and thrive. The Kippies jazz club re-opened in November 2006 with our support allowing musicians to continue to play and preserve an invaluable part of the province's musical heritage.
We will also ensure that through our support developmental jazz groups will have an opportunity to perform in the annual Joy of Jazz Festival. These programmes will ensure that the younger musicians innovate and grow our rich South African jazz genre. The Joy of Jazz festival promises to enhance Gauteng's profile as the 'Home of Jazz' and the effective branding of this event will have a number of spin-offs for the other creative industries and across the value chain from the development of new products drawing on our jazz heritage to the broadening of the jazz audience.
Enhancing Gauteng's performing arts and dance
Contemporary performing arts and dance forms a vibrant part of our cultural offering in the province and supports the various other sub-sectors of the creative industry. As part of our effort to invest in the creative workforce and support innovation we will continue to be involved with the FNB Dance Umbrella and to sponsor groups to be able to perform at the annual Grahamstown festival.
Through a range of integrated mass participation and recreational programmes our communities are provided with opportunities to participate in community-based dance and theatre programmes implemented by the Gauteng Dance Manyano and Gauteng Theatre Practitioners in the hubs.
Tourism benefits from creative industries
To broaden our tourist offerings, this year we will also be working with tourism authorities in Gauteng to develop cultural packages for tourists visiting the province. The province continues to be an important business travel hub, and as such international events are an essential part of the province's tourism development plans and vision of a creative city region.
This year we are to host the International Carnival Conference for which we have allocated R1m in the budget. And in 2009 we will co-host, together with the National Arts Council and the City of Johannesburg, the 4th World Summit of IFACCA (International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies).
These events are important not only for the exposure that Gauteng will receive which will be substantial and the resulting tourism spin-offs, but for the access it gives our cultural practitioners to international best practice, contacts and important networking opportunities. It also allows us to showcase our arts and culture in our province and to reflect on the achievements of our respective strategies to date.
Celebrating our heritage
Our planning and hosting of Commemorative days (Human Rights, Freedom, Youth, Women's and Heritage days) allows us to deepen democracy and promote nation-building by organising and coordinating the celebration of national days and promoting our heritage. On the 16 June 2006 we hosted the commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of the 1976 Soweto Uprising in partnership with the National Youth Commission, various national government departments, GPG departments and the City of Johannesburg.
We hosted the 50th Anniversary of our historic women's march to the Union Buildings on the 9th of August, also hosted in partnership with role-players from all three spheres of government. These events are a significant part of the budget, with just over R3 million budgeted for each.
As part of our Human Rights month programme my department in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Education hosted a series of oral history workshops in schools around Gauteng. Learners were exposed to the site of the Sharpeville massacre and educated about the importance of the Human Rights Day as enshrined in the constitution of this country. We also hosted a fun run in collaboration with the Sedibeng and Emfuleni Municipalities, ensuring that communities could approach the celebrations from a new and healthy perspective.
Heritage Day, 24 September is a public holiday on which South Africans across the spectrum are encouraged to celebrate their cultural heritage and their diversity. Heritage Day is celebrated at the Maropeng World Heritage Site in the Cradle of Humankind. On this day the visitors centre opens its doors free of charge to the public.
Ingoma/Mxino Cultural dance project
To ensure that future generations will continue to understand and celebrate their heritage, it is essential that the traditional practices which embody our heritage are preserved.
To help achieve this, our communities are served by this very exciting traditional music and dance programme run in the hostels around Gauteng. This project, launched in October 2006, focuses on traditional music and dance performances. The project is aimed at developing stronger audience support for traditional music and dance and contributes to the growth of a sustainable indigenous traditional music and dance industry.
This project also strives to promote and foster social cohesion and amicable relations between hostel and township residents of Gauteng. The culminating event held in Sedibeng Hostel Number 3 drew more than 1000 people and was preceded by workshops for participant groups to enhance capacity challenges in the traditional dance industry. These workshops covered choreography, vocal projection, stage performance techniques and disciplines.
The Gcwala-Ngamasiko Initiative
The Gcwala-Ngamasiko Initiative celebrates our continent's diverse cultural heritage and traditions. It is a partnership between the African Cultural Music and Dance Association (ACUMDA) and the department. In August last year, at Jabulani Amphitheatre, the Kings, Queens and chiefs from Limpopo; KwaZulu-Natal; Eastern Cape; Freestate; as well as from neighbouring states were invited as guests of honour at a dance festival involving 600 community based artists. It is an annual event and the intention is to continually expand the scope and reach of the programme to more groups within South Africa and other African countries further afield.
The Gauteng Youth Commission
We celebrate June 16, 31 years after the initial youth demonstrations, as a reminder to ourselves and to future generations that the freedoms and liberties that we enjoy today are a product of the efforts of the many young men and women who relentlessly and fearlessly committed themselves to this cause.
1976 marked a decisive change in the constitution and character of the liberation struggle. By assuming leadership of the liberation movement, young people positioned themselves as crucial contributors in shaping a just and free South Africa, based on democracy and respect for human rights.
The provincial government regards youth development as an important part of the province's vision to transform Gauteng into a globally competitive city region. The Global City Region (GCR) plan aims to improve economic growth, job creation and the social conditions of all of Gauteng's people by improving cooperation, integration and coordination across administrative boundaries. It provides a framework for a range of development strategies. In 2005, we adopted the Gauteng Integrated Youth Development Strategy for 2004-2009, which provides a basis for the implementation of a variety of policies and programmes aimed at youth development.
Last year we established the Gauteng Youth Commission to advise the Gauteng Provincial Government on youth development matters and to strengthen the partnership between government and the youth in the province. The commission represents youth from all walks of life in Gauteng including youth involved in faith-based organisations, business, political and disability movements, human rights, gender issues, HIV and AIDS, community policing, skills and entrepreneurial development.
I am pleased to announce that we have set aside R8m for the newly established Gauteng Youth Commission (GYC). The new Gauteng youth commissioners will play a key role in promoting youth development in the province. The aim of the allocation is to strengthen the organisation and enable it to fulfil its role in monitoring and evaluating the implementation of youth programmes run by the various Gauteng Provincial Government Departments. It will also ensure that the Commission will be able to fulfil its mandate to mainstream youth development and activities in the Province. We will finalise the establishment of the Gauteng Youth Commission as a public entity in terms of Section 3A of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) in this budget year.
The commission will encourage young people to understand and play a bigger role in society, the economy and the province. The youth commission will work with all provincial government departments to ensure the effective implementation of the provincial youth development strategy. It is responsible for engaging the public on Gauteng youth development policies as well as soliciting the views of young people in the further development of the provincial government's youth development strategy.
In March this year, the Gauteng Youth Commission undertook a strategic review process which resulted in a set of strategic goals to guide the work of the GYC based on the strategic priorities of the Province. The critical outcomes to be achieved include economically active young people in Gauteng; young people living in sustainable, cohesive and safe communities; healthy, competent, competitive and knowledgeable young people; and young people as active, patriotic and conscientised citizens in Gauteng, Conclusion
In conclusion, the Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation is proud to be able to contribute so concretely to achieving the provincial strategic objectives towards a globally competitive city region, social development, building sustainable communities and to strengthening the capacity of the government to deliver. We believe the direction provided by our Creative Industries' Development Framework, the Integrated Sport Strategy and the 2010 Integrated Framework will ensure the budget is being effectively used.
A budget is only a theoretical opportunity without people behind it to make it a reality. I would like to thank my Head of Department and all our staff for their hard work in 2006 and also for the commitment and dedication to our values, principles and objective looking forward into 2007. Finally I wish to pay my respects to the outgoing Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Mr. Pule Malefane with whom I have served in this house since 1994. Comrade Pule, I will miss your challenging oversight role and the guidance you have given our Department over the past three years. I wish you well in your new endeavour.
Thank you.