It is indeed my pleasure and honour to be part of the historic moment of our School Sport Programme. This event happens on the long weekend, in which we commemorate the strength and resilience of South African women and their contribution to society and country. Because On 9 August 1956, about 20 000 women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the legislation aimed at tightening the apartheid government's control over the movement of black women in urban areas.
We know that, their fight was not just in vain, but it was a call for equality. To date the emancipation of women to realise an equal status still continues, hence it is important for us as a department, to ensure that, we provide girls and women, an equal participation in sport and recreation. It was important that event in this event, as we celebrate champions of this event, among them, there should a girls team crowned as champions as well. This is important, as it shows our deliberate intention to support and celebrate women excellence in sport.
This year also marks 30 years of our freedom and democracy and it is critical that we realise, just how far our country has come to achieve this, democracy that we enjoy today. Indeed these championships have demonstrated the significant part of showcasing talent, of young people from across all corners of country, without any discrimination. This event has brought learners, some of which, are coming from no-fee paying schools. They represent several learners who go to schools that have no water, where there are serious challenges of crime, GBV and other social illness, but have proved to be talented enough to be given a chance to be part of this significant event.
Indeed the 30-year democracy, has made strides in ensuring that no learner will be left off, from taking part in sport because they have no means to do. There are many learners who are yet to get such opportunities and through this programme we will continue to strive to ensure that we increase access so that they can also have an opportunity, like this one, to showcase their talents.
Without the collective work of all stakeholders, to ensure a smooth participation in sport at a school level, we can never defeat the injustices of the past that had excluded majority of the black people communities from participation in sport. It is for this reason that the School Sport Indaba, had defined the next era, as a move “Towards an integrated and united school sport system.” Because now we understand that we need all stakeholders to hold hands and make a meaningful contribution towards the success of this programme. No country can ever be successful, if it doesn’t take care of the young people, they are the future, and this programme affords an opportunity to showcase their talents.
Through School Sport, we envisage to have “Unified school sport sector that will develop an innovative and progressive programme that will contribute towards an active and winning nation”
The period between 2020-2022, during Covid-19 pandemic, saw the country being shutdown and led to the suspension of sport activities in schools. These two moments, had a huge effect on the implementation of the current School Sport Programme and addressing the challenges in the programme. So, Covid-19 led to the suspension of sport in the country and even more prolonged in Schools, due to the risk that Covid-19 had on young people and those vulnerable. We had lost a ground in the implementation of the programme and are making every effort to recover to the levels of participation that we had before Covid-19.
As we conclude this event, I want to encourage all learners present here today, to take pride in yourselves and strive to achieve more. Nothing can really stop you from achieving your goals, only if maintain the focus. Your teamwork during this competition, is a testament that, if you work together, just like President Ramaphosa has told us to do, when he said, ““We would like all of us as South Africans to behave like ‘weaver birds’. Weavers are among the most efficient and gregarious birds in that they build complex structures together and co-operate, And this is the way we should go. Despite all the challenges, despite our differences, despite all the headwinds, as South Africans we are called upon to remain firmly committed to pursue the path of co-operation, growth and inclusion.”
So inconclusion, do not get tired to work together, to strive for good, and to be the best. Well done and all the best in future events. Congratulations to all the winners.
I thank you.
