Madame Speaker, 

The mission of Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) is stated as "to improve the quality of life of all South Africans by creating an environment conducive to maximising the access to participation in sport and recreation, as well as hosting and participating in world class events".

In line with this aim we have been successful in hosting world class events. The success of the rugby and cricket world cups as well as the Africa Cup of Nations, amongst others, is evidence of our capability to host international events of the highest calibre, so I have no doubt that we will be ready in 2010 to host the FIFA World Cup. With regard to creating an environment conducive to maximising the access to participation in sport and recreation, I think we have not been as successful as we could, and should, have been.

The disparities between various regions and areas within our country, with regard to access to sporting facilities and participation, are still too great and not conducive to the improvement of quality of life as stated in the aim.

The current violent climate and very unhealthy environment that reigns supreme in many of our schools, and our country in general, does not bode well for the future of our country. This department can play a role in correcting this destructive situation by providing better access to sport and sporting facilities, especially at schools and in the rural areas. In many places within our country the youth are idle for long periods of time, and have no outlet for all their energy and creativity as there are no facilities and resources in their areas. This inevitably increases their susceptibility to crime and criminal elements. We therefore urge the Minister and the rest of the department to pay more attention to, and provide additional funding for, the provision of facilities and resources needed to create an environment that will be conducive to our youth becoming healthy, productive and well adjusted adults who will not easily succumb to the temptations of crime. It is therefore vitally important that this department deliver on its aim in creating the right environment needed to maximise the access to participation in sport and recreation.

Sports, especially team sports, build camaraderie and aids with social interaction and tolerance as you have to learn to trust and rely on your team mates. It is evident, as we have seen with the shocking xenophobic violence that these are some of the social qualities that are desperately lacking in our society. While sport does have many benefits, including health and economic, we must not underestimate the positive impact that sport can have on social development. Our current sporting environment is characterised by politicking, infighting and the promotion of personal agendas and personal profiles. This must stop if sport is to be used as a tool that can contribute to the improvement of our current social problems and better the lives of all South Africans.

Transformation in sport has been a contentious issue for many years now. There have been many debates and discussions surrounding this very important and necessary process and how best to go about achieving the transformation of our various sporting codes. The manner in which this issue has, however, been dealt with by the relevant sporting administrators, authorities and organisations has on occasion been worrying. Our sports teams and players are under enormous pressure to perform well and represent the nation with pride and distinction. The burden of expectation is huge. This pressure is increased greatly, and unnecessarily, when they are caught in the middle of transformational arguments and disagreements between various sporting authorities regarding the composition of teams. These issues often find their way into the media and public domain where the focus then gets shifted onto the affected players. This is an unacceptable situation that should never come about as the players are not to blame for the incompetence of the administrators and officials in the performance of their duties and their failure to carry out the transformation agenda.

We, in the IFP, have always maintained that transformation in sport is non negotiable and must take place. Our main concern is the manner in which issues of transformation are dealt with, and it is in this area where I believe we have been lacking and must make improvements. It is, firstly, very important that the correct people with the necessary expertise be appointed to posts of strategic importance, they must not be appointed because of their political affiliations or who they know. It is also imperative for the people who do not support transformation in sport to realise that transformation must and will take place. Their efforts to maintain the status quo and resist transformation are futile. It is therefore in their best interest to change their attitudes and embrace this important matter. If we all work together, we will reach our goals much faster and achieve transformation.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup is an opportunity that we must embrace and maximise for the benefit of as many South Africans as possible. The current mood in our country is very sombre. Our people need hope, they need to look forward to something that has the possibility of providing them with a better life and an escape from their current troubles and seemingly hopeless existence.

With the World Cup we have the opportunity to do exactly that. The benefits and sustainable development that can be derived from this tournament are endless. It is therefore of the utmost importance that this tournament succeed and the benefits derived from it be shared by as many South Africans as possible and in all regions of our country. We must make sure that this tournament is not for the personal gain of a select few. We owe this to the people of South Africa and Africa.

We are here today in Parliament because the people in our various constituencies put their confidence in us to look after their interests and improve their lives. In many instance we have not been successful, so this World Cup is an opportunity for us to prove to our constituents that we do have their best interest at heart and that we will do everything in our power to ensure that this event is a success and that they will also benefit from it.

We, in the IFP, support this budget vote.

I thank you.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Mr BW Dhlamini MP on 083 254 8576