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Master of ceremonies - Mr Mbutho Sithole
Commissioner of Correctional Services- Rev. Mbethe
Provincial Commissioners
Members of the Management Board
NOCSA Operations Manager- Mr Tabby Reddy
Representative of the SA Handball Federation- Mr Gunter Schaefer
Orlando Pirates Vice Chairperson- Mr Cyril Kobus
Representative of the Gauteng Sport and Recreation Department- Ms Queen Matloha
Executive Officer of Sports and Recreation: City of Johannesburg- Ms Nosi Lentsoane
Representative of badminton south Africa- Mr Du Plessis
Officials of the department
Ladies and Gentlemen

The end of another sporting year is upon us. It is with pride and satisfaction that I am again privileged to reflect on the achievements the department of correctional services accomplished in the areas of sports management at the time when we had the best of times and also the worst of times.

Perhaps the worst of our times was when we were motivated to work harder and aim for success under most trying times. Indeed we were successful in some areas.

It is indeed heartening to be part of an August occasion such as this, where we are honouring men and women who excelled in their participation in sporting activities both as individuals and on behalf of the department of correctional services. However, I need to emphasise from the outset that participation in sport is not only about winning but also for the love of it, mental and physical health.

As a sport-loving nation, no one will forget the fateful day when we lost the 2006 soccer bid. The rainbow nation of South Africa was covered in sorrow. Our department joined hands with millions of South Africans to add our voice to the 2006 bid. We knew that the world cup would constitute the advancement of our continent towards a brighter future of all our people. This would have been a future of the fundamental renewal of our continent leading to the restoration of the dignity of all our people. For us, the soccer bid was going to relieve our people from hunger, enhance job creation and realise the creative talents of our people.
We are aware that the country will be hosting the cricket world cup in 2003. This tournament will add value to our dreams of hosting the world cup after the success of rugby in 1995. The impact of this event on our economy cannot be underestimated. The rugby series unified our people and we believe that cricket will also improve our social lives.

In the department of correctional services sport seeks to develop the well being of staff to achieve our core business. This is in support of the notion of " a healthy mind in a healthy body". This is particularly important due to the stressful environment within which they operate, hence the department views sport development in a very serious light.

Most staff members contribute an amount of R5 towards a departmental sports fund. In addition to this amount the department spends about R1.6 million per year towards Sports Management and Administration. I therefore encourage every member of staff, young and old, to participate in sport to relieve stress and enhance their physical fitness. This would be in support of the vision of sport and recreation in the country- "getting the nation to play"

In its endeavours to encourage more participation and enhance recreational opportunities for staff, in the year 2000 the department challenged other government departments to "catch us if they can". But we are aware of the need to keep the wheels of continuity rolling and increasing the pace to make it difficult for them to catch us.

In the front of competitive and professional sport locally and internationally, the department registered some successes and achievements.

Last year a total number of 3000 members participated at 18 national championships. This year we have included another sporting code: handball, which is played by both men and women. This will broaden the base for participation.

When looking back at the momentous period travelled by our sports persons we are proud and tempted to measure the distance we have travelled in material terms and put numbers to it by quantifying our achievements, for instance:

* There has been a massive increase of medals in the October games last year, where we won a total of 185, gold, silver and bronze medals.

* The role played by Rosina Mogola and Desmarie Kotze in participating in all the Protea Unibank Netball World series is recognised. They were also involved in the tri-nations held in South Africa against New Zealand and Australia.

* we can also point out the dignity bestowed in Rosina Mogola when she was selected in the netball squad of the best 7 in the world to play a tournament in New Zealand. We need to applaud her.

* The participation of our members at the world highest level of competition: Olympics games in Sydney where Hendricks Mokganyetsi obtained 6th position in the finals of 400m needs to be applauded.

* Pepsi Radebe, our sports development officer was nominated by NOCSA as an administrator and Dries Lessing as a coach for Josiah Thugwana. The trio hoisted the flag of South Africa and correctional services high.

* We can also point out that from Pauline Bester and Erica Windvogel from western cape were selected to represent South Africa in handball friendly match in Mozambique during Independence Celebrations.

* The youngster, Theo Chester Maropola from the Nylstroom prison, northern province who was spotted at the handball development championship at Kroonstad by the South African handball federation will accompany the team to the world cup junior championships in Switzerland in august 2001. Handball is a fast growing sport in the department and is bearing fruits for our members.

* We can point out that our national cricket team played in a tournament organised by Namibia in Windhoek last year. This gave our players international exposure and they were invited again in 2001.

International participation has produced stars that stand a chance to inscribe their names in the history books of Africa and the world. Who can wash away the names of world-renowned men and women such as Shadrack Hoff, Rosina Mogola, Desmarie Kotze, Labane Nkete, Hendrick Mokganyetsi, Enock Skosana, Mabitle and Kalamore just to mention but a few, the list is endless. They are icons and role models for our members and youths in our communities.

It is said that these officials will not be in a position to defend their titles, which they won in Sweden in 1999 at the world police and fire games to be held in Indianapolis, USA.

However we are confident that we will make our presence felt in the 2003 world police and fire games. We will still be good ambassadors for South Africa.

In spite of all these successes, the critical area that the department is grappling with is a policy dealing with equality to address issues of gender and disability in sports and recreation.

We are aware that sport has been largely a "men's world" and has been a preserve of a chosen few for centuries. Disparities are glaring even today despite the fact that the constitution of our country is so clear on discrimination, that it should not be practised against anyone at work or in the sporting fields.

To partly address this situation, we held a number of coaching courses involving women and people with disabilities to participation in sports and the response is overwhelming.

We realise as the department of correctional services that dealing with these challenges and the development of sport requires a concerted effort, hence we are proud to be an associate member of the Sports Commission which is a statutory body established in terms of the South African Sports Commission Act of 1998 to promote and develop sports and recreation in South Africa.

I'm made to understand that successful talks were entered into with the National Paralympic Committee of South Africa with the aim of involving our disabled members in sport and recreation. Management should be aware that persons with disabilities have been neglected for many years. It will therefore be expected that a project be launched by the end of this year for this category of our staff.

I was pleased to hear that, through the equity directorate, our sports personalities enjoy membership of the various sports associations and federations, also that our good relationship and partnership with these federations resulted in them offering courses in development clinics, coaching, refereeing and administration and up to know, we have trained 821 women and 612 men in these events.

At this point I need to recognise the united cricket board for their generous donation of R 30 000-00 to our national cricket team for development. We also promise to give the united cricket board 100 % support in their quest to host 2003 world cup series.

I finally wish to thank Technikon South Africa who have been partners with the department in the field of education and training and sports for their sponsorship to co-host this prestigious function. Our relationship with them comes a long way and I believe that as we are undergoing transformation and changes that would continue to hold hands with us.

We welcome the initiative of the department of sports and recreation for the introduction of indigenous games such as morabaraba, diketo and dibeke. This will bring more diversity in the arena of sports.

The department needs to make a contribution towards the development of sports to rural and disadvantaged communities by making their facilities available to these communities and also conducting coaching clinics.

We also need to identify strategic projects and initiatives, which would give recognition to our international stars at our disposal by joining national campaigns such as HIV/AIDS awareness, stop smoking and sports against crime.

Finally, let me take this opportunity to heartily congratulate the winners of the various categories of awards and most importantly the overall winner. These men and women worked hard with resilience and perseverance. Lets give them a round of applause.

Those who did not make it should work harder next time.

I thank you.

Issued by Ministry of Correctional Services

23 March 2001