Cape Town – Sport and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula says there is no turning back on transformation following his announcement to impose penalties on sports federations that have failed to meet transformation targets.
The Minister said this when he briefed the media after tabling the department’s Budget Vote in the Old Assembly Chamber, in Parliament on Friday.
On 25 April, Minister Mbalula released the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) report on Transformation in Sport in South Africa, and also announced the Transformation Barometer.
“For us there is no turning back on transformation and [we are] forging ahead with the penalties imposed on rugby, athletics, cricket and netball based on their failure to meet their own set targets.
“I have signed memoranda of agreements with each of the aforementioned federations and I expect them to act on their commitments,” he said.
The Minister said he will be signing memoranda of agreements with the 14 federations that were part of the 2015/16 transformation audit report.
He expects federations to also set their own targets against which the department will measure their performance on an annual basis.
“In sport today, you must either shape up or shape out. South Africa has two choices – transform or perish! Transformation is non-negotiable!”
Minister set eight medals target for Rio Olympics
The Minister said, meanwhile, that the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) will prepare Team South Africa, in collaboration with national federations, to participate in the 2016 Rio Olympic and Paralympic games which will start in August.
He said SASCOC will receive its allocation of R8 million, as well as an additional allocation for advanced preparation for targeted athletes who have good medal potential in Brazil.
Minister Mbalula said the additional allocation will also be based on the assessments of the training and preparatory needs over and above the support provided through the various sporting federations for final preparations.
“As government, we are mobilising society and resources to ensure that our athletes fly the South African flag high and collect medals that will put smiles on the faces of this sport-loving nation.
“In this regard, we have set a target of eight medals for SASCOC in the 2016 edition of the Olympic Games, up from the medal tally achieved in London,” he said.
The Minister said while he does not have favourite athletes in particular, he was looking forward to seeing rising star Wayde Van Niekerk, whom he said is “on fire”, to see how he will fare in his first ever Olympics.
New programmes to bolster sports development
The Minister said in the year ahead, the department will introduce a programme called Sports Buzz.
The programmes will see 12 retro fitted kombis being dispatched to all provinces with the intention of promoting sport, active and healthy lifestyles.
“I, together with traditional leaders of our country, launched the Rural Sport Development Programme in Umtata in the Eastern Cape.
“This programme will be a link and feeder to our structured Sport Development Programme in rural areas and farming communities of our country.
“We are building a solid pipeline by growing and nurturing athletes who demonstrate potential and talent in the deep rural areas. We are doing for ourselves. Siyaqhuba!” – SAnews.gov.za
