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7 March 2006

"Social reconstruction and cohesion"

Honourable Speaker and Deputy Speaker Honourable Premier
Honourable Members of the Legislature Members of the House of Traditional Leaders
All stakeholders of the department
Invited guests and government officials
Ladles and gentlemen
Citizens of the Eastern Cape

As a department dedicated to the elimination of poverty by creating economic benefits, especially for disadvantaged communities and families who are destitute, we come closer to the Freedom Charter and support the notion that, "The doors of learning and culture shall be open to all" and "people shall share in the country's wealth."

This denotes that the wealth of our country. Our heritage shall be restored to the South African people. Redistribution of wealth is the mechanism which attempts to redress the imbalances and elevate those who are still in the second economy. The benefits of a balanced life will stimulate the dignity and social cohesion of our people, which are the strength and foundation of a nation. Let us unite in our diversity to make it happen.

Sport and recreation
The budget allocation: R52,101 million

The realisation of the theme "getting the nation to play", requires a conscious commitment from all stakeholders to get behind the sporting nation. The Impact of sport and recreation extends beyond the competitive field and addresses social issues of health, education, crime and the economy.

Mass Participation Programme (MPP): R17,060 million

The MPP is getting the nation to play. The Eastern Cape membership registration is at the level of 15% of the total population, the highest in the country. This includes a 79% registration of youth membership.

1. Siyadlala Mass Participation Programme

The growth of the MPP in 2006/07 will be as follows:

* total budget allocation of R9,110 million. It is a substantial increase of 241% from R2,670 million in the previous year
* Activity hubs will increase to 57
* two hundred and seven activity and 57 hub co-ordinators will be appointed, creating 284 new jobs for the year. These jobs will be sustained for the next three years
* All local municipalities will have an activity hub.

2. Mass school sport

The budget allocation for 2006/07 is R7,950 million. The focus of the department, in partnership with Department of Education, will be on skills transfer to educators and providing equipment to learners. The province has the following target to achieve In 2006/07:

* 120 schools
* 31 680 learners on the programme
* 2 160 educators accredited through capacity building
* Wednesday league monitored in seven clusters

3. The department will complete construction of an indoor sport centre in Steynsburg.

* the Budget commitment is Rl,5 million
* it will create 35 jobs for the local community during construction and
* implement constructive activities for the youth.

This is a strategic intervention to protect the integrity of the community. We have to help the youth who are victims of teenage pregnancies and substance abuse, with constructive activities.

Academy of sport

The highest level in the sport development continuum is "excellence"; it starts with physical education and develops youth in community clubs. That leads to competitive sport.

The department will establish a provincial academy with seven satellites in three phases.

* R5 million is allocated for this financial year
* The transfer of skills will be facilitated for the 25 priority codes with a focus on technical officials and sport administrators. 350 athletes will be engaged in the Academy
* 100 jobs are projected during the construction of phase 1

2010 FIFA World Cup

This will be the first and biggest sporting programme staged in Africa. It requires a concerted effort from us all: government, non-governmental organisation, South African Football Association (SAFA) and the private sector. This World Cup will leave a tangible and long lasting legacy. It will contribute to the improvement of our Infrastructure and economic opportunities. Everybody will benefit from this programme; it is not about sport only, but human and economic development.

The operations of the inter-ministerial and provincial co-ordinating committees will strengthen our preparation. And management of the provincial blueprint, in collaboration with SAFA and the private sector, will be Instrumental to consolidate our efforts.

The development of players and officials is a partnership with SAFA. It is critical to ensure sustainability beyond 2010. We shall focus on the age groups of u/14, u/l9 and u/23. The current provincial Chris Hani tournament will expand by increasing the age groups of participants in the district and provincial leagues. This will improve the chances that players from the province are selected to the national team.

Arts and culture

The budget allocation: R29,608 million

The Arts and Culture Directorate is the custodian of the preservation of arts and culture. This programme is best positioned to deal with nation building, social cohesion and economic development.

The department is changing its approach by strengthening projects. It supports sustainable economic business opportunities and showcases provincial craft work. This will contribute to improving the second economy by creating jobs for our artist and crofters who are mainly found in rural areas.

The cultural industries are our speciality. It is the key for job creation and promoting the Eastern Cape flair leading up to 2010. These are the areas of focus that will attract visitors to the province for its uniqueness.

Cultural industries

Cultural industries contribute directly to the Provincial Growth and Development Plan (PGDP) objectives and targets diversification of manufacturing and tourism, economic growth, job creation and human resource development amongst others.

The two million investments seek to develop the craft, public, music, film and video industries.

The Kelskamma Art Project will receive R500 000 to support the production of another authentic tapestry depicting the history of the Eastern Cape. We are passionate about these women because they created economic opportunities against all odds, support each other and sustain their families.

We commend the Speaker of the National Assembly with the purchase of the first tapestry. It is displayed in the Interior of the National Assembly in Cape Town as a product of the Eastern Cape for all to appreciate.

As the department we challenge the provincial Legislature to do the same. This People's Assembly must reflect our history, which is unique to us.

A craft factory in Mthatha will process local craftwork. The department commits Rl million to this initiative. The quality of all goods for sale and exporting will be assessed according to the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS). The Department of Economic Affairs, Tourism and Environment will facilitate extensive training in production scheduling, quality control; packaging, pricing and marketing, The Departments of Labour; Trade and Industry are critical partners in the training and accreditation of crafters.

The profile of provincial crafters is accessible electronically through www.easterncapecrafters.co.za and published in the Catalogue of Eastern Cape Craft, The access to markets for the promotion and sale is critical to provincial crafters. The department commits R50 000 to expand the current website for electronic commercial purposes.

The provincial Opera School in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Metro University and business will train 200 musicians for the 2006/07 financial year. The seed funding of R200 000 is projected to enrol students to the full time academic programme and facilitate workshops for special needs.

The physical Infrastructure of the Provincial Audio Visual Centre is completed. This year high tech equipment will be installed. It will allow artists to record and edit audiovisual material. The department commits R2 million to complete phase one and proceeds to phase two.

Museum and heritage

Total budget: R34,036 million
The department acknowledges the enduring process of transformation in museums which are not yet Afro-centric in their content and management. To alleviate this challenge; the department will firstly call on nominations from the community to serve on the governance structures.

Special attention will be given to the composition of this governance structure to bring about change in terms of race and gender.

All members will be trained to enhance administrative and leadership capacity in the museums. The second aspect of museum transformation will focus on the visual and documented Information.

* New exhibitions will focus on marginalised groups
* Three travelling exhibitions will expose communities to museum service where there is no Infrastructure
* Four new exhibitions will be launched
* The Robert Sobukwe exhibition will rotate throughout the province
* The Umjelo Museum Magazine is an important resource for awareness of museum services and learner support material. Grade 7 learners will benefit with the distribution of 20 000 copies at a cost of R400 000.

All travelling exhibitions will be accompanied with Department of Education, community centres and the media.

We will intensify the promotion of cultural and heritage tourism in partnership with district municipalities in line with PGDP imperatives.

* The construction of two new memorials at R400 000 contributes to the heritage trails
* The development of Heroes Park In Buffalo City will receive R500,00
* The commemoration of Duncan Village Massacre will receive R500,00.

Libraries and information services

The budget allocation: R3,442 million a reading nation is a leading nation

The target of libraries services is to eradicate illiteracy by 2015 to contribute to the Millennium Development Goals. This is effected with an increase in the budget by R18 million. The additional funds will be utilised to improve subsidies that ensure library services are sustained.

The successful "Libraries on Wheels" initiative will increase the access to library services in the rural areas. In the 2006/07 financial year all district municipalities will be provided with two units, projecting a sustainable Increase of 30% in readership.

The department has the mandate to protect the historical memory of the province. The current Mthatha Archive will be expanded to provide a centre for all records in government departments. We have committed R3,6 million to complete the renovation. The improved building will provide access to information for communities and researchers as an important link to academic Institutions.

Special Programme Unit (SPU)

This year the budget allocation to SPU is R2 million as an indication of our commitment. We recognise the enormous contribution of our women and youth in fighting for freedom and supporting the young democracy of South Africa.

2006 commemorates the 50th anniversary of the "Great Women's March" against oppressive laws. We will celebrate this year by expanding our independence and economic liberation. The collective operation of women in the province strengthens the initiative to establish a co-operative for crofters. This approach will increase opportunities for training, marketing and sales of final goods. The department commits R500 000 to start this co-operative.

The department facilitated the establishment of "Young Women's Network's Alfred Nzo and Ukhahlamba districts. We will continue this year with empowerment programmes and assist all other districts to establish the same network. In appreciation and acknowledgment of outstanding women in our communities, we will record their life history and stories. This opportunity of capturing the important historical information will not be allowed to pass. Their legacy should live on.

The 30th anniversary of "Soweto uprising" will also be celebrated by investing in business initiatives. Our goal is to unite the youth in dealing with the social decay in the country. A unified youth will lead the next generation, based on sound value systems.

We commit R600 000 to the following projects:
* Twenty young people In the Amathole District will be trained and supported with the production and marketing of woodcraft products.
* Twenty young women in Alfred Nzo District to expand into leather manufacture section.

Senior citizens are at times exploited and neglected by the young and fit communities. Our commitment to the elderly is to provide statutory information and support. An active health programme will keep our senior citizens fit and minimise the early setting in of degeneration tissue. We will spend R50 000 to ensure that we preserve the dignity of senior citizens with intergenerational activities.

Infrastructure development

The total budget of R22,974 million has been allocated as follows:

* Mt Ayliff Arts Centre at Rl,5 million
* Sterkspruit Arts Centre at Rl,5 million
* Bumbane Cultural Village at Rl million
* Tsitsikamma Museum at R1,5 million
* Malutl Museum at R2 million
* Butterworth Library at R1,306 million
* Mthatha Archives at R3,l56 million
* Bhisho Stadium at R1,012 million
* Mthatha Stadium at R2,5 million
* Sport Academy at R5 million
* Steynsburg Indoor at R2,5 million.

Budget outline

Madam Speaker, Hon Premier and Hon Members, the budget allocation that we are tabling is as follows:
Table 1: Budget Allocation within the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period

Expenditure:
1. Administration

2005/05: 174,085
2006/07: 162,804
2007/08: 178,543
2008/09: 188,781

Expenditure:
2. Cultural Affairs

2005/05: 61,079
2006/07: 63,644
2007/08: 70,701
2008/09: 76,481

Expenditure:
3. Libraries and Information Services

2005/06: 20,285
2006/07: 43,442
2007/08: 57,181
2008/09: 73,270

Expenditure:
4. Sport and Recreation

2005/06: 24,136
2006/07: 52,101
2007/08: 57,181
2008/09:73,270

Total
1. Nominal Growth in %

2006/07: 15,2%
2006/07: 15,6%
2007/08: 14,1%

Total
2. Less inflationary adjustments in %

2006/07: 5,1%
2006/07: 4,8%
2007/08: 4,5%

Total
3. Real growth in%

2006/07: 10,1%
2006/07: 10,8%
2007/08: 9,6%

The table above, reflects a substantial increase of budget allocation over the 2006/07 MTEF period with 15,2% (2006/07), 15% (2007/08) and 14% (2008/09). However, when factoring the Inflationary Adjustments the Real Growth rate is 10,1 % (2006/07) 0,8% (2007/08) and 9,6% (2008/09). This projected increase 1$ attributed to additional allocation on the mass participation programme conditional grant and improvement of library service, where a total sum of R71,15 million and R118 million have been allocated over the three year MTEF period respectively.

Table 2: Expenditure by economic classification

Expenditure Item (R'000)
1. Compensation of employees

2005/06: 151,460
2006/07: 160,432
2007/08: 166,449
2008/09: 180,110

Expenditure item (R'000)
2. Goods and services

2005/06: 63,850
2006/07: 80,590
2007/08: 98,503
2008/09: 110,520

Expenditure Item (R'000)
3. Transfers and subsidies

2005/06: 40,322
2006/07: 77,582
2007/08: 101,847
2008/09: 130,433

Expenditure Item (R'000)
4. Payment for capital assets

2005/06: 23,953
2006/07: 3,387
2007/08: 3,556
2008/09: 3,805

Expenditure item (R'000)
5. Total

2005/06: 279,585
2006/07: 321,991
2007/08: 372,355
2008/09: 424,869

It is also critical to mention that the department has improved a great deal In ensuring that the expenditure between personnel and non-personnel is consistently biased towards service delivery.

The figures reflect the ratios: (personnel: non-personnel)
* 2006/07 - 49,8: 50,2
* 2007/08 – 45,2: 54,8
* 2008/09 – 42,4: 57,6

Honourable Speaker, Hon Premier and Hon Members, the budget and policy imperatives presented for this financial year aim to maximise economic opportunities in support of the PGDP and Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (AsgiSA) targets. The integrity of our people will be protected only when they are economically independent. The social reconstruction and cohesion can then be achieved.

Together we will do it, sisonke sinakho!

Issued by: Department Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
7 March 2006