(Second Reading Debate)
Vote
12: Sport, Arts, Culture, Science and
Technology – R88 588 000
The
DEPUTY SPEAKER: We will proceed to Motion 2. Motion 2 reads as follows:
That the Second Reading Debate on the Appropriation Bill be continued.
Today, the Vote before
the hon House is that of Sport, Arts, Culture, Science and Technology. The hon MEC, Mr Mfebe.
Mr
M W MFEBE (MEC): Hon Deputy Speaker, hon Premier, hon Members
of the Legislature, His Excellency, the Ambassador of the Czech Republic, Dr
Pavel Vosalik, and distinguished guests, we are leaving behind a legacy of
innovation in the face of change.
That is why only
visionaries will be able to follow and appreciate our innovative
leadership. Those with tunnel vision
will continue to moan and groan, constantly constipated by their self-imposed
ignorance, like a lifeless bloated goat that has selfishly grazed on poisonous
vegetation.
We cannot
afford to do things casually and habitually if we are to truly remain on track
in accelerating change to better the lives of all our people. The cornerstones for accelerated change can
only be innovation and creativity. We
need to leapfrog other processes in order to catch up with the rest of the
world, for we have lost valuable time while remaining trapped for decades in
apartheid’s anti-development mode. The
apartheid legacy of lack of development, especially amongst the majority of our
people, remains monumental. We therefore
need a technological solution to these challenges. That solution is what I would call the
technology of the mind - strategic thinking - which should involve making the
most significant decisions and fast-tracking processes so that implementation
can take place.
We, in the ANC, have many
strategic thinkers within our own ranks.
They continue to create a climate within which innovation and creativity
can flourish. In the light of the above,
it is therefore imperative for me to share with you the vision and mission of
our Department, so that you can better appreciate the programmes and activities
in which we are engaged.
Our vision is to strive
to contribute to establishing the
Our mission is to provide
a professional service through a disciplined workforce to implement
departmental policies and procedures, thereby raising the profile of sport,
arts, culture, science and technology in the Province.
We still remain committed
to addressing the key priorities of the Free State Government, namely
infrastructural development and housing, job creation and economic development
and human resource development.
During the 1999/2000
financial year, sport and recreation services were rendered to a total number
of 8 636 people with a view to addressing the human resource development
priority. With a definite bias towards
the disadvantaged communities, approximately 11% of the total number of clients
was women and young girls. Almost 13% of
the aforementioned figure consists of learners and students attached to schools
and tertiary institutions, while almost 50% of our sport and recreation
customers represent communities in the province. Approximately 2 000 of our customers
represented their communities in provincial and national tournaments and
championships. Important to note is that
almost 350 of our sport and recreation clients are disabled.
The
·
·
Netball
(54),
·
Athletics
(102) and
·
Soccer
(73), totaling .
The
The new School offers the
first and only internationally accredited Bachelor of Sport Development (BSD)
degree on the African continent. The
degree has 3 exit levels: 1st year
(certificate), 2nd year (diploma) and 3rd year (degree). One can study up to the level of Doctor
(Ph.D). This demand-driven degree will
enhance human resource development at a high level, as it addresses the
shortage of critical skills in the Province and country. The new degree combines sport and tourism -
the Siamese twins that should remain inseparable. Work opportunities include the following: Managers of sport, recreation, adventure or
community centres in the private or public sectors; sport administrators; tour
guides and managers of tourism businesses; professional coaches, as well as
exercise and health consultants and specialists in the fitness industry.
The community-centredness
of the degree, in terms of the internship strategy, involves the deployment of
students in communities from their first year of study. They will expediate development, which
augments our efforts of mass development with scientific backup. This approach is indeed helpful, given the
fact that this inaugural degree boasts 94 enrolled students. The
We are proud to be
associated with the
The excellent state of
the Free State Stadium underlines the importance of the proper maintenance of
all sport and recreation facilities in our Province. Only 53% of
The well-known innovative
sport tourism flagship project, the Phakisa Corporation for Major Sport Events
and Development, has successfully promoted 21 major and regional sporting
events during the past year. These include
two Moto Grand Prix World Championships at the Phakisa Freeway, the 7th
World Cup Bocce Championships at Welkom and recently, the World Sheep Shearing
Championships in
I am happy to reveal that
we have convinced the Moto Grand Prix World Body, Dorna Promocion del Deporte, S.L. to publicly announce their support for the
South African 2006 Bid. The CEO of Dorna
did so during the Grand Prix ten days ago.
This is a major boost, given the stature of an organisation with an
average annual audience of six billion people in more than 134 countries. During the recent Moto Grand Prix, the
signage of the South African 2006 bid was shown to more than 200 countries with
an audience of more than 350 million people at no cost to the South African Bid
Committee.
Without exception, the
public and the world at large described the first Moto Grand Prix World
Championships at the Phakisa Freeway in October 1999 as a huge success. The Phakisa Freeway is rated one of the top
five circuits in the world. The economic
impact study showed an inflow of R117 million into our economy and an influx of
foreign tourists in excess of 4 800 people.
This was again repeated on
The Managing Director of
Motor Sport South Africa (MSA), Ms Beulah Schoeman, had this to say about the
first Moto Grand Prix at the Phakisa Freeway in October last year:
I firmly believe that the forthcoming Grand Prix can be considered as the start of many more successful World Championships and other international events in your Province, and the event must therefore be seen as the biggest single development and social upliftment project in the history of our country.
Since a separate report
will be tabled in this House in June 2000, in accordance with the Phakisa Major
Sport Events and Development Corporation Act (4/1997), it suffices to announce
that the already mentioned 21 events promoted and staged by Phakisa during the
past year, brought 10 250 foreign visitors to the Free State. With the two Moto Grand Prix races alone, 21
914 minutes of live television exposure locally and internationally were
secured, with a total value of more than R613 million, calculated at South
African television advertising rates.
Apart from this, approximately 1 280 permanent jobs have been created,
with an estimated economic impact of R250 million. This clearly demonstrates that sport tourism
is a reliable contributor to the key priorities of job creation and economic
development.
There is no other
government-initiated project that has promoted our Province and country more
internationally than Phakisa has done. I
challenge everyone, here and outside, to dispute this fact. In just two Moto Grand Prix events, our
Province and
With the double success
of the Moto Grand Prix at the Phakisa Freeway, I am happy to announce that the
Premier and I, assisted by the Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr Jeff Radebe,
have secured a commitment from the international president of a major
multi-national company to sponsor the South African Formula One Grand Prix if,
and when, it comes to our highly rated Phakisa Freeway.
Finally, I would like to
reiterate what has been said before.
Phakisa is not only about motor racing.
It is mainly concerned with the development of sport tourism as a
catalyst for job creation and economic development.
There is a perception
that Phakisa has a lot of money. This is
probably based on the fact that an amount of R56 million has been appropriated
for the Corporation. The real state of
affairs is that the R56 million is earmarked for the servicing of the lease
agreement to acquire the Phakisa Freeway, and to pay for the rights to stage
the Moto Grand Prix World Championships.
For the 2000/2001
financial year, an amount of only R1.81 million will be budgeted for Phakisa,
instead of R6 million needed to carry out its legal mandate.
A major sport development
project that will start during 2000 is the revival of indigenous sport and
recreation activities in the
The view is held that the
revival of indigenous sport and recreation amongst all races in the
It gives me pleasure to
pay tribute and to mention outstanding performances by some of our young sports
men and women during the past year. They
are:
·
Mamsy
Malaku - Banyana Banyana;
·
Disto
Digojane - the national Volleyball Team;
·
“Macufe”
Gulwa;
·
Masaro
Matsau;
·
Ace
Mbuthu;
·
Hareaipha
Marumo;
·
Abram
Nteo of the Amaglug-glug; and
·
Victor
Mpitsang - Protea Cricket Team.
I mention these, without
forgetting the old stalwarts of sport, Hansie Cronje and Alan Donald, who are
anchors in the National Cricket Team.
A special tribute is paid
to Elias Heyns, who successfully defended his Sheep Shearing World Championship
title last week. Mr Heyns, from
Frankfort Sheep Shearing Services, has now been crowned world champion for two
years in succession - indeed an outstanding performance. During apartheid, who would have thought that
it would be possible for blacks to participate internationally? This is a world champion from the
Arts and
Culture
The Mangaung African
Cultural Festival (MACUFE) is an initiative of the Free State Provincial
Government’s Department of Sport, Arts, Culture, Science and Technology. It was presented for the first time in
September 1997. A number of arts
festivals, which have become popular and successful in
Since 1997, MACUFE
attracted a total of approximately 140 000 people - this indeed is a major
contributor to cultural tourism in our Province and addresses the key priority
of economic development and human resource development through participating
MACUFE, in partnership
with PACOFS, has helped to develop and expose talented
The popularity of MACUFE
has attracted international artists from countries such as the Democratic
Republic of the Congo (DRC),
Furthermore, a
representative of Market for the African Arts (MAASA), Mr Zie Coulibally from
the
The staging of MACUFE
2000 depends on private sector funding.
The Department is currently in an advanced stage of negotiations to
obtain the necessary funding for this year’s MACUFE.
I regret to announce that
due to budget constraints, I had to withdraw the Provincial Arts and Culture
Council Bill, which was tabled in this House in 1999.
It became evident that
the Department’s guideline amount in terms of the Medium Term Expenditure
Framework would not allow for an arts and culture structure as proposed by the
Bill. Since we acknowledge the importance
of the establishment of a provincial arts and culture council for the Free
State, my Department is now drafting, as a matter of urgency, a revised version
of the Provincial Arts and Culture Council Bill, which will make provision for
the establishment of a structure that should be just as effective, but more
affordable. This Bill will be re-tabled
in due course.
The process of
restructuring and transforming institutions like the Mmabana Arts & Culture
Centre and the Free State Academy of Music (Musicon) is on track.
The building of arts and
culture centres in Thabong and Zamdela has been completed. Mmabana has been tasked with the servicing of
these centres. Apart from an outreach
programme in Thabong and Zamdela, Mmabana is also rendering arts and culture
services in Tweespruit and Botshabelo.
Mmabana has also succeeded in securing an amount of R121 000 from the
National Arts Council for the construction of a traditional hut on the
institution’s premises at Thaba Nchu.
This facility will focus on traditional folk practices, such as music
and dance, reflecting on the past.
Despite wide speculation
that the Musicon was going to be closed down, the institution was transferred
to my Department at the beginning of 1999.
Initially, the status quo was
maintained to ensure that services would not be interrupted. Steady progress has been made with the
transformation of the institution. A new
staff establishment was approved recently and will be implemented during the
course of the year.
One of the objectives
last year was to extend an outreach programme to the disadvantaged
communities. Fifty percent of the
Musicon’s string pupils are now from these communities. In order to become more multi-cultural, a
band previously called Rhythmicon,
consisting of mainly white students, and the well-known Thabure Band, consisting of mainly black students, have now been
amalgamated to become the Musicon Unity
Ensemble.
My Department and the
staff at the Musicon are committed to develop the institution into a truly
multi-cultural music facility that is accessible to the total population of the
Province.
Both Mmabana with its
satellites and the Musicon will play an increasingly active role in the
development of human resources and cultural tourism.
Museums have become the
major contributor to the safekeeping and fostering of the rich and diverse
natural and cultural heritage of our country.
It is against this background and within severe financial constraints
that the Department’s Museum Service has endeavoured to redress its collections,
research, information and educational services to meet the needs of the total
population of the Province.
As part of the
transformation of the Old Fort Military Museum, which already has artifacts
from Umkhonto We Sizwe (MK) and other liberation armies, a bust of His Majesty
King Moshoeshoe I will be unveiled in September 2000. Tribute will be paid to the late King’s
important role in the military history of the
We are aware of the fact
that, with regard to the restructuring of museums, a great deal more has to be
done. The seven community museums at
Bethulie, Philippolis, Smithfield, Boshoff, Welkom, Kroonstad and Heilbron need
to be restructured to become more people-centred as well as education and
public service orientated to serve the wider community.
The
Department has unfortunately not been in a position to commence with the
establishment of a sport museum. This is
mainly due to a lack of resources.
However, the establishment of a sport museum remains one of the
Department’s objectives and according to our strategic plan, research and
consultation should start early in the 2000/2001 financial year.
Good progress has been
made with regard to the establishment of a Sesotho literary museum. A core collection of Sesotho literary works
has already been obtained. Research for
an apartheid museum is underway, and negotiations with all stakeholders, and
specifically the private sector, will commence towards the middle of the new
financial year.
The
I hold the view that,
especially in terms of the recent promulgation of the Promotion of Access to
Information Act (2/2000), the provincialisation and restructuring of the Free
State Archives have become imperative to make this facility more accessible to
the Free State and its people, and to ensure that all Free State archival
material, i.e. public as well as non-public material, remains in the Province.
With the disbandment of
the National Monuments Council with effect from 1 April 2000 and the
establishment of the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) in terms
of the National Heritage Resources Act (25/1999), we intend to start with a
planning and consultative process to establish a Provincial Heritage Resources
Authority in terms of the Act.
This should result in the
provincialisation of all personnel and assets of the existing regional office
of the newly established SAHRA and the formation of a new Provincial Heritage
Council to guard over all provincial heritage resources of interest.
I will neglect my duty if
I do not inform the hon House of my concern about the present functioning of
the newly established Free State Provincial Language Committee (PLC). The PLC consists of knowledgeable people for
whom I have high regard. However, this
structure is an extension of the Pan South African Language Board (PANSALB) and
in terms of the PANSALB Act (59/1995) as amended, I am only responsible for
appointing the Provincial Language Committee - which I have done accordingly.
Nevertheless, I have
learned recently that the activities of the PLC have virtually come to a
standstill. This is because of the fact
that the Committee has to obtain approval from PANSALB before it can embark on
any project. After numerous applications by the Committee, nothing has been
forthcoming.
This state of affairs
leaves much to be desired and is not in the interest of the Province. I personally undertake to discuss this with
my national counterpart, the Minister, Dr Ben Ngubane, as a matter of urgency.
Library,
Information and Technology Services
Despite serious budgetary
constraints during the past year due to the inevitable shifting of funds to
finance other projects, the staff of this component has managed well to
maintain its service, albeit with a considerable degree of sacrifice.
Although very few library
materials were purchased for the 145 affiliated community libraries in the
Province, the Directorate managed to provide the following new libraries with
library materials from existing stock:
·
Matlwangtlwang
(Steynsrus);
·
Borwa/Tweespruit;
·
Roleleathunya
(Rouxville);
·
Dealesville;
·
Nyakallong
(Allanridge); and
·
Van
Stadensrus.
Almost 3.5 million people
visited community libraries during 1999.
People from disadvantaged communities constitute approximately 62% of
the total membership of libraries, while 53% of all users are female. Interesting to note is that all the standard
library buildings are accessible to disabled people. Approximately 700 regular users of our
community libraries are disabled.
In order to realise the
Department’s objective to develop human resources, 121 literacy classes for 1
576 adults were held in community libraries on a regular basis during
1999. A total number of 4 000 books were
issued to 86 literacy groups in libraries.
Apart from this, 72 910 children under the age of 14 years attended
almost 3 000 educational programmes and story hours in community libraries.
During 1999, the staff of
affiliated libraries undertook 3 724 visits to housebound people, old age
homes, hospitals and prisons to render information services and to deliver
reading material. More than 4.3 million
books were issued to library members last year.
In view of the
forthcoming new dispensation for local government in the Province, the Library
and Information Services Directorate is faced with numerous challenges to
ensure that library services will not be interrupted.
Throughout the years, it
has been the convention that library and information services were rendered on
a partnership basis between Provincial and Local Government. However, according to Schedule 5 of the
Constitution (108/1996), library services are the exclusive legislative
competence of Provincial Government.
Since the Municipal Structures Act (117/1998) has not identified library
services as a municipal core function, provincial governments will now have to
enter into legal agreements with local authorities to ensure the continuation
of community library services.
The
In order to allow every
citizen his or her basic right to information, the Directorate plans to
establish government information services at community libraries in the
Province. As a pilot project, this
service will be implemented at ten identified libraries by August 2000, and
thereafter be extended to other community libraries.
Apart from this, the
Directorate also plans to establish the first Provincial Official Publications
Depository in terms of the Legal Deposit Act (54/1997). The drafting of a business plan in
collaboration with the National Department of Arts, Culture, Science and
Technology will commence early in the new financial year.
With regard to Science
and Technology, the Department intends to carry on with its financial
assistance to the Communal Information Technology Centre (CITC) at Bronville in
Welkom. This Centre trains the
disadvantaged sector of the community in information technology. Since its inception in March 1997, 382 people
from mainly disadvantaged communities have graduated in Information Technology
from CITC, and over 60% of these graduates are females. Of the unemployed graduates, 70% have
obtained gainful employment and 11 have established themselves as IT
entrepreneurs.
Since 1998, 60 learners
from ten high schools have been trained in information technology, and of
these, eight obtained immediate employment in this field after leaving
school. Six attend tertiary institutions
to further their education in the field of information technology.
The CITC is a project
that is jointly funded by the British Government and the Free State Provincial
Government, and is sponsored by AngloGold, Dell Computers, Microsoft, ICL and
ABSA. CITC is regarded as a significant
contributor to job creation, economic upliftment and human resources
development.
In conclusion, I wish to
take this opportunity to thank my wife and children for their continuous
support and understanding during the past year, the hon Premier for her
visionary leadership, the Executive Council and the Portfolio Committee on
Sport and Recreation, my Head of the Department and departmental officials, my
staff, the CEO and Chairperson of Phakisa, the ANC that gave me an opportunity
to serve in this Legislature and all those mentioned in the list of
acknowledgements at the end of this document.
I think we have
succeeded, albeit with limited resources, to stand by our vision of striving
towards the establishment of the
We have also contributed
to the realisation of all three priorities of the Free State Government,
namely:
1.
Infrastructural
development: By providing 53% of the total
2.
Job
creation and economic development:
Through sport tourism, 1 280 permanent jobs have been created. Two hundred and 50 million rand has been
injected into our economy by attracting 10 250 foreign tourists to the Free
State within six months and also by marketing the Free State and South Africa
during the Moto Grand Prix to more than 134 countries with a television audience
of more than half a billion, and with 21 914 minutes of exposure worth R613.6
million, based on South African television advertising rates.
3. Human resource development: We have addressed training and development
needs in the areas of sport development, arts, library services and information
technology.
It is therefore very
clear that we are indeed on track, as we continue to leave behind footprints of
innovation in the face of change. Those
with vision will see them. Those with
ears will hear the echoes of our footsteps reverberating in the uncharted
caverns of creativity.
___________________