MEC Sithole-Moloi tables DSR budget vote to drive sports transformation

MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, Bongi Sithole-Moloi, has today, 02 May 2017, tabled the budget of R463 590 million for the Department of Sport and Recreation (DSR) to drive transformation in sport and contribute to radical economic transformation. The budget was tabled at the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature in Pietermaritzburg.

In her address to Members of the Legislature, MEC Sithole-Moloi said despite the Department being small, it however has a significant contribution to make in driving social cohesion. As such she has directed the Department to ensure that its operations are geared towards driving radical socio-economic transformation.

MEC Sithole-Moloi said the Department has prioritized five strategic focus areas, which are in line with the goals of the National Development Plan (NDP). These are Transformation, Youth development, Infrastructure development in rural areas, Women & People with disability, and Stakeholder co-ordination.

“My Department’s Budget Statement for the 2017/18 financial year is premised on the department’s engagement with stakeholders on government’s priorities, with the strategic goals of optimizing citizens’ access to sport and recreation, transformation of the sector, and supporting athletes to achieve international success,” she said.

School Sport

MEC Sithole-Moloi added that the Department will continue to invest in the development of school sport as the foundation for talent identification with a total allocation of R43.2million.

“A total of 38% (R34m) of our Mass Participation and Sport Development Conditional Grant is allocated to the School Sport Programme. The department commits an additional R9.2m from its equitable share. With over 6 000 schools in the province our allocation falls considerably short in addressing the disparities that exist within the school sport system. Additional funding is needed if we are to make significant progress in addressing the lack of equipment and infrastructure in rural schools for our youth to participate regularly in sustainable sport and recreation leagues,” she said.

“This programme will remain the flagship programme in the Department with the focus being devoted to the school leagues which will culminate in the National School Sport Championships. The school sport programme encourages inclusivity through the involvement of able-bodied learners as well as learners with special needs.” The Department has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Education in the Province to streamline the delivery of physical education, sport and infrastructure in all KZN schools.

Sports Academies

The MEC also announced that the Department will establish Sports Academies in six districts as part of the talent optimization programme. This will ensure access to specialized athlete and coach services at local level.

“In this financial year my Department will extend the KZN Academy system to the Harry Gwala, Uthukela, Amajuba, Umzinyathi, Zululand and Umgungundlovu Districts. This will be done in partnership with District Municipalities and their family of municipalities, Tertiary Vocational-Education and Training (TVET) colleges, as well as the KZN Sports Confederation (KZNSC).”

Development of clubs

The development of clubs will also receive priority to expand opportunities for participation in sport.

An allocation of R12.8 million from the Mass Participation and Sport Development conditional grant will be utilised to support the formation or revitalisation of clubs and leagues at a local level.

“In 2017/18, the club development programme will deliver 120 junior leagues for the Under 15, Under 16 and Under 19 age groups in football, volleyball and netball respectively. Club officials from these sporting codes will be trained in sport specific areas such as technical officiating, administration and coaching,” she said.

“By the end of the year, 900 clubs would have been supported to participate in the developmental leagues which would culminate in District Competitions.  Local coaches, ex-professional players and sporting legends shall be engaged to implement programmes aligned to the Talent Development Pathway.” 

The R5.5 million allocation for the Department’s Elite Athlete Development Programme for this year will be utilized to increase the number of athletes from rural and disadvantaged communities benefiting from top scientific and nutritional support.

Sithole-Moloi also emphasized that the roll out of infrastructure development will focus on rural areas.

“The development of infrastructure is aligned to the roll out of the healthy lifestyles programme, the revival of school sport as a nursery for sport development, and the Academies programme. We have also changed the spatial allocation for sport infrastructure. It is our intention to ensure that every ward has a kick-about sports field, combination court, basic sports field and play gym. This will be delivered in phases in partnership with local government.”

Another focus for 2017/18 is the establishment of Hub Fitness Centres which are multi-coded complexes containing a basic sports field, jogging/walking track, Outdoor Fitness Park (Gym), combination court, ablution and administration facilities and club/change-rooms.

MEC Sithole-Moloi also reiterated her call for citizens to adopt active lifestyles, including the Active Friday campaign which was launched to encourage citizens to adopt active and healthy living to fight opportunistic diseases.

She also announced that the department will extend the rural horse riding programme to include all districts in the Province. Currently the Dundee July Rural Horse riding event is the flagship programme of the Department followed by the Harry Gwala Summer Cup, in the KZN midlands.