Programme Director, let me take this opportunity to acknowledge the following:
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture – Mr. Zizi Kodwa
Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture – Ms. Nocawe Mafu
Dignitaries from Russia, India, UK and Jamaica
Ministers present here – Minister Ronald Lamola
Mr Barry Hendricks, President of SASCOC
Members of the Portfolio Committee of Sport, Arts and Culture – led by Chairperson - Ms Beauty Dlulane
MEC of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation from Mpumalanga, Free State, Northwest, Gauteng, Eastern Cape, and Kwazulu-Natal
MECs of Education present here
The Executive Mayor of Mangaung Municipality- Cllr. Sivuyile Ngodwana
Executives and Members of the Federations
Sport Personalities Present
Senior government officials from National and Provincial Departments
Various teachers’ unions present
Various School Governing Bodies
Members of the General Public including parents
Members of the Media
Members of the Sport Fraternity
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is indeed my pleasure and honour to be part of this historic moment of our School Sport Programme.
The Memorandum of understanding signed between the the Department of Sport and Recreation and the the Department of Basic Education in 2018 ended in May 2023.
During this time, we have experienced a merger between 2 former Departments that gave rise to the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and the advent of COVID-19 that had a major impact on so many lives and School sport was not spared the devastating consequences of this pandemic.
Despite the challenges of the re-organisation and dealing with the aftermath of COVID-10 we continue to emphasise that the School Sport programme is the bedrock of sport development in the country. We remain committed to maximising access to sport, recreation and physical activity in South Africa and about rolling out functional sport in schools. This programme will remain the flagship programme in the Department.
It is for this reason that we have defined the theme of this historic School Sport Indaba, as a move “Towards an integrated and united school sport system.”
The objectives of this School Sport are very clear .
- We want to evaluate the progress made in the implementation of the School Sport Programme in the country to date and determine the effectiveness of the model implemented.
- Mindful of the constraints we would like to determine the priorities for school sport and as we do so we must be able to allocate the resources in accordance with the said priorities.
- Determining with clarity the role and responsibilities of various stakeholders.
As we deliberate let us review the current School Sport model and its implementation and recommend a new implementation model and protocol.
We must also reflect and assess how far we have come to address issues of access and equity in sport through various initiatives undertaken in schools.
Our deliernations must also lay the foundation for the review of the National Sport and Recreation Plan.
We are convinced that a successful roll-out of the School Sport Programme in South Africa relies among others, on :
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- Clear policy directives regarding the provision of sport in the country and within schools and a clear alignment between policy and implementation.
- School sport being treated as a priority and being offered at all schools in South Africa
- School sporting codes being launched and supported at all levels of the system.
- School sport leagues being implemented through vibrant school sport structures snd codes committees and all schools participating
- Physical Education being implemented in all schools
- All Stakeholders present here continuously creating best practices regarding the implementation of sport programmes in schools.
- To ensure that we promote patriotism among learners
As I conclude my remarks, I wish to encourage all stakeholders to ensure that when we conclude this Indaba, we should be able to have the following:
5.1 Establish the new Guidelines to draft a compact with all the stakeholders who make a meaningful contribution to the Sport programmes in Schools.
5.2 Develop the guidelines that will help us to draft a new implementing model and protocol for sport in schools.
5.3 Clearly outline the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders in the provision of sporting opportunities for learners in Schools.
5.4 define and clearly integrate the priorities for the school sport sector.
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.
I trust and believe that we will have a successful Indaba, that will help us shape the fortunes of the learners and improve the quality of opportunities that we provide them.
I thank you.
