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INTRODUCTION

Honourable Speaker,
Honourable Premier,
Honourable Members of the House,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a privilege for me to stand before this House and present the Annual Report and the Auditor General's Report of the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture for the fiscal year 2000/2001.

The guiding principles of the Department's strategic objectives are based on the three pillars of government which are: economic growth; infrastructure development; and job creation, delivery of quality social services and good governance.

The year that passed has been characterised by victories, adversities and challenges, a year that can only reveal itself through improved, efficient and effective service delivery for the coming year. In the fiscal year 2000/2001, we created a platform and laid down the groundwork for the implementation of key projects. We adopted a strategy that resulted in more focused, streamlined projects that are based on the needs of the people of Gauteng.

The implementation of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) created a paradigm shift in the manner the public sector conducts its business. Great demand is placed on good governance, efficient financial management as well as the adoption of best practices in our conduct of business. We are faced with enormous challenges as we search and strive to improve our financial administration and management for effective and efficient service delivery for all the people of Gauteng.

DEPARTMENTAL HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2000/01

Honourable Speaker, comrades and friends,

The Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture has in 2000/01, continued to play an important role in the development of quality social services. We embarked on diversified programmes that ranged from the promotion of mass and quality participation in sports, arts, culture and library programmes to the development of sports, arts, and culture at grassroots level.

In keeping with our mission, we have managed to upgrade and maintain various facilities in Gauteng and in so doing enhancing the quality of life of people within these communities. All programmes that were undertaken have also focused on HIV/AIDS awareness and have cut across boundaries of age, race, gender, able and disabled persons.

Honourable Premier, the challenge for us is to provide quality services and find solutions to our problems within our allocated budget, whilst at the same time ensuring that job opportunities are created.

1. INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT FOR SPORT, RECREATION, ARTS, CULTURE, HERITAGE AND LIBRARIES

Government introduced the CAPEX programme for facilities with the aim to promote economic growth and to create as many jobs as possible within the shortest available time. This Department expressed the desperate need to build infrastructure for sport, recreation, arts, cultural activities, heritage and libraries in those areas where there were none or where facilities were insufficient and run-down. The need to provide equity in access to such facilities was recognised by the Government. An amount of R48 million was granted for the fiscal year 2000/2001. To fast track delivery, this Department entered into a partnership agreement with local government, whereby local government became the implementing agent and guaranteed the continued operational cost of these newly built and upgraded facilities. The Department approved all plans and monitored progress. Funds were only released for actual work completed.

On 31 March 2001, an amount of R36 736 000 had been spent on 65 projects which represents 75.5% of the total funds allocated for this project. An amount of R11 263 000 was approved for rollover. This amount is fully committed and will be spent before the end of the 2001/2002 fiscal year. During the planning phase, a need to conduct an audit of all facilities was identified. This audit is presently taking place. The results will determine the allocation of future funds to those areas that do not have equity in access to facilities. During the construction phase for these projects, 1 543 jobs were created. A survey indicated the impact that these facilities have on communities and I wish to quote one person: " Our children have now become more focussed, they no longer loiter in the streets." This is what this Department intends to achieve through the introduction of our programmes.

2. DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH PERFORMANCE SPORT

We seek to develop high calibre sports people that are able to participate and promote competitive sport at all levels, locally, regionally, as well as internationally. We strive towards greater participation in the Athens Olympics by the previously marginalised. Focussing on this target set, the following projects held in the past year will pave the way towards participation of our sports people.

Masakhane Games:

We successfully created the brand Masakhane Games which is a vehicle that ensures mass participation in sport in targeted communities. The brand has created high levels of awareness and participation in sport and recreation. The Masakhane Games were hosted at area, local, regional and provincial levels within Gauteng, 15 000 people in 26 sporting codes participated in 49 local, 10 area and the provincial games. A foundation was laid towards establishing structured leagues and the encouragement of the development and growth of teams as well as codes in the local communities. A total amount of R920 817 was spent on the programme. The commitment and enthusiasm of communities to these games created a need for additional facilities. Forty-six sporting facilities have been developed so that talent can be nurtured in each local community.

The good work done has been recognised by the national Department of Sport and Recreation. The Masakhane Games will now become a national event and Gauteng will be the first host.

Sport Academy:

To identify and develop high calibre champions a rigorous training programme was put into place. Training camps were held for academy athletes and coaches in the soccer, tennis, badminton, athletics, rugby and soccer codes. 350 coaches were trained to prepare for the Masakhane Games. An amount of R48 178 was spent on this project. The sport academy will need to be intensified in future years so that at least 14 high calibre sports people are coached in readiness for international competitions.

Sports Mobile Unit:

The sports mobile unit was deployed at schools, sporting events and training sessions and 2 238 athletes were tested in preparation for their participation in sporting competitions. The purpose is to test fitness levels of sportsmen and women for competitiveness in specific sport codes. The unit has not been performing at its optimal level during the reported year. This programme and its content are being revised presently in order to be supportive of the sports academy.

3. RECREATION PROGRAMMES

For those that do not participate in competitive sport, the Department held recreational programmes that seek to ensure a healthy and positive life-style from the cradle to the grave. A pre-school programme involved 241 trainees in recreational programmes and 8 800 participants. More than 1 800 aged participated in specially developed programmes. A Prisoners' Fun Day was held to introduce recreational programmes into prisons. 1 624 prisoners participated. The total amount spent on recreational programmes was R222 330.

4. ARTS AND CULTURE PROGRAMMES

The following objectives were set for the fiscal year 2000/2001:

* Deracialisation of arts and culture community;
* Addressing backlogs; and
* Nation building.

An Economic Summit was held in May 2000 where ways in which arts and culture can contribute to economic growth and job creation were identified. In an attempt to address these issues, the following programmes were set: jazz advocacy programmes; transformation of heritage institutions; choral music programme; and the Gauteng Dance project.

The department supported the launch of Gauteng Film Office in September 2000, this was a joint effort between the Department of Finance and Economic Affairs. The aim was to promote the Gauteng Province as an international tourist destination through film.

In the field of the performing arts: music and dance, the department initiated the Gauteng Song and Dance Troupe. In the beginning, the group was successfully launched but soon presented problems because of its limited representivity geographically. It was subsequently replaced by Gauteng Dance Manyano. The Gauteng Dance Project was established to research traditional and modern dances practiced by the various racial and ethnic groups in our multi-cultural society. The Department is committed to the development of dance in terms of skills development, capacity building and audience development.

Through the Masakhane initiative the Department established the Vaal Choral Music programme. The purpose of the initiative was to increase levels of participation and ensure that the Mphatlalatsane Community Theatre in Sebokeng is fully utilised. Choral music is not only important in bringing out vocals and rhythms in singing, it also plays a more significant role in improving the social and spiritual lives of people, irrespective of their background, race or tradition. A successful partnership has been struck between the Department and the Gauteng Choral Music Association which will see to the facilitation of the choral music programme in Gauteng.

5. HERITAGE RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

The Oliver Tambo exhibition in the Benoni Museum was officially launched. This exhibition portrays the achievements made by one of our heroes in ensuring our freedom from oppression for generations to come. Almost 15 000 visitors have since seen the exhibition.

Construction of the Sharpeville Monument is almost complete. It will officially be unveiled next year on Human Rights Day. Research on the history of Sharpeville was intensified during this year to be able to open an exhibition on the history of Sharpeville to the community before the official unveiling. Community groups participated in the making of a quilt, depicting the history of Sharpeville.

We implemented an exhibition on the participation of Blacks in the South African Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902. The first commemorative stone at the concentration camp for Blacks was unveiled by the Premier of Gauteng at Mogale City.

Regional heritage societies were established in Duduza and Vosloorus. These will ensure the recognition of our heritage.

6. HERITAGE MONTH

Heritage Month was launched this year with greater emphasis on our cultural heritage and the showcasing of the arts and crafts. We aim, through this initiative, to increase tourism and economic growth. A cultural village depicting the history of the various language groups as well as artefacts were on display. From this event we have learnt that partnerships need to be entered into that will ensure even more publicity and participation. This event set the tone for the forthcoming Heritage Months, which will be a collaboration between the Department of Finance and Economic Affairs, the Johannesburg Metro Arts Alive and the initiatives of other local governments and organisations.

7. LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES

The key priority of the department is equitable access to facilities. Through capital funding, four new libraries were built and two upgraded in Sharpeville, Orlando East, Orange Farm, Protea North, Etwatwa and Mohlakeng. Equipment, computers and information resources were bought at a cost of R 19.38 million. The impact this had, has been an increase in annual circulation by 23% (from 11.4 million items issued to users to 14.8 million)

Provision of information resources:

A total of 26 community libraries have been linked to the Internet and other global information databases to ensure access to information, other than that available in books. Further libraries will be linked over a period of five years. An amount of R 7.75million was spent on the purchase of 78 000 new and relevant books and other information resources for community libraries.

Reading Awareness programmes:

A nation that reads is a nation that is economically active with informed citizens that take charge of their lives. The importance of reading is promoted through various reading programmes:

* The National Library Week with the slogan " Reach the world @ your library";

* Literacy and family reading programmes involving 3 400 participants at a cost of R373 447;

* The "Born to Read" programme which was launched with 40 participating libraries and health care centres. 2 000 mothers were targeted with the aim of helping parents raise children with healthy bodies and minds. The material required for this programme was specially published at a cost of R411 573. This programme has also been recognised by the National Department of Education and will be introduced at all libraries in South Africa.

8. GRANTS-IN-AID

To assist organisations, individuals and local government in the support and development of sport, recreation, arts, culture, heritage and introduction of information technology in libraries the following grants were made:

* Arts and Culture: R1 880 800;
* Sport and Recreation: R74 103 58 and;
* Library and Information services: R 750 000.

The policy on the provision of grants-in-aid will be revised to ensure that the focus is on sustained development and leveraging of service delivery.

9. HIV/AIDS AWARENESS PROGRAMME

All programmes are aimed at the building of awareness surrounding the HIV/AIDS. The emphasis is on maximum community participation and supporting life skills amongst the youth in the areas of sport recreation, arts, and culture and library services institutions, federations and communities. An amount of R1 090 000 was made available in this year by the Department of Health for this purpose.

AUDITOR GENERAL'S REPORT

Not withstanding the fact that the Department got a disclaimer this year, I am confident that various initiatives undertaken by the Department in response to the key findings of the Auditor General (AG), will bear fruitful results in the coming financial year. The disclaimer as indicated by the AG on page 22 can be attributed to:

Personnel expenditure:

The difference between Persal and BAS (R9.6 million) as mentioned in the AG's report was because of problems in interface between the two systems and the fact that reconciliation of the two systems was not conducted. The department has implemented an internal project to address this issue.

CONCLUSION

Honourable Speaker,

I acknowledge that the challenges facing this Department may at times look insurmountable, but I assure you, that with the team that I have in my Department, we will make a difference in our communities through the provision of sport, recreation, arts, culture and library programmes.

Issued by: Office of the MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts & Culture, Gauteng, 12 November 2001