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DA Debates Motion On Heritage Day

Speech by: Paul Willemburg MPL

“Are we succeeding in building a cohesive society?”

  • We won’t be successful in uniting our Nation, by continuously playing the race card.
  • We should have respect for religion, ethnicity and race, but we should also have respect for gender; respect for sexual orientation and respect for the disabled. It means tolerance and acceptance and the willingness to learn about the cultures and make a concerted effort to learn at least one of our indigenous languages.
  • Xenophobia still raises its ugly head in our country; as does homophobia. The murder of young lesbians in townships continues.
  • This new evil is rampant and prevalent in every sphere of government, and it’s called Corruption.

The full speech can be obtained here

 

Speech by: Kingsol Chabalala MPL

“In glimpsing backwards, we learn to move forwards”

  • Our country’s rich heritage and diversity is something every South African should be proud of. We were once divided, now united.
  • Reflection is the driver which ensures we move forward, but we are in charge of the GPS that will determine whether or not the direction we move in is favourable and inclusive to all South Africans.
  • It is important that we learn from each other in order to build a strong and united society. We must constantly open ourselves up to learning from each other.
  • If there are lessons, traditional medicines and other practices from other cultures which may improve the way we live and view the world we should take the opportunity to do so.

The full speech can be obtained here

 

Media enquiries:

Paul Willemburg MPL

DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts, Culture and Heritage

082 450 0815

 

Kingsol Chabalala MPL

DA Gauteng Spokesperson on Sport, Recreation, Arts, Culture and Heritage

060 558 8299

[Image source]

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Budget Vote Speeches: Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation

Note to editors: The following speeches were delivered in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature today by the DA’s Shadow MEC for Sport, Art, Culture and Recreation, Paul Willemburg MPL, Spokesperson for Sport, Art, Culture and Recreation, Solly Msimanga MPL, and Spokesperson for Sport, Art, Culture and Recreation, Kingsol Chabalala MPL, during the 2015/16 Annual Budget Debate on the Department Sport, Art, Culture and Recreation.

 

“Department of events to neglect the youth – again”Paul Willemburg DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation

Speech by: Paul Willemburg MPL – DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation

Speech highlights

  • Honourable Premier mentioned that Enoch Sontonga wrote the first verse of our National anthem at the age of 24. Madam MEC, can you imagine how much more this creative artist would have achieved had he been given the opportunity to develop his enormous talent? Can the same be said of opportunities afforded to the talented, creative youth of Gauteng?
  • …through programmes such as drama, music and visual arts in schools that latent creative talent is identified, harnessed, nurtured and developed.
  • Instead of being the Departments of Events Honourable MEC, your department should be investing in the future of the youth in Gauteng.
  • MEC, could you imagine instead of getting a donor to fund your Gala Dinner in Sandton this evening that you rather used that money to supplement a bursary scheme?

The full speech can be obtained here.

 

“Increase in budget will not improve cultural wealth”Solly Msimanga DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation

Speech by: Solly Msimanga MPL – DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation

Speech highlights

  • We must acknowledge that a nation which does not prioritise its knowledge centres – such as libraries, will lose sense of the value of its soul, will be led by the wrong people in the wrong way, forgo wisdom and endangered the present life and future prospects of its children.
  • I am still to hear of a plan as to how we would ensure that libraries we hand over to municipalities are properly maintained and adequately stocked at all time.
  • I hope in this coming financial year, we will see functioning hubs, adequately resourced. These shouldn’t be like the current hubs which are used to host ANC branch meetings or as storage for ANC Election pamphlets.

The full speech can be obtained here.

 

“Culture plays a defining role to shape and influence our identity”Kingsol Chabalala DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Sport, Art, Culture and Recreation

Speech by: Kingsol Chabalala MPL – DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation

Speech highlights

  • Key outputs in the Museums and Arts and Culture programmes for schools, to promote and support drama, music, arts and dance appear in the planning for the current financial year, but they are allocated zero budgets.
  • Gauteng is the province of opportunity, but yet we rob up-and-coming artists of the opportunity of a free platform where they can showcase their talents and make their dreams come true.
  • This budget does not support and promote those who suffer disadvantage because of past discrimination.

The full speech can be obtained here.

 

Media enquiries:

Paul Willemburg MPL

DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation

082 450 0815

 

Solly Msimanga MPL

DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation

060 558 8308

 

Kingsol Chabalala MPL

DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation

060 558 8299

[Image source]

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Department Leaves Gauteng’s Top School Athletes High and Dry

Young Gauteng athletes have been left in the starting blocks by the Gauteng Department of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture (SRAC) as funding for their participation at the South African Schools Championships, to be held in Rustenburg, was not secured.PaulWillemburg

A concerned parent contacted me, indicating that a letter was received from the Gauteng Department of Education informing him that his son had qualified for the Gauteng team, but that attending this event would be at his own expense.

Funding for this event, which is received from the national sports Department and allocated to Gauteng, has been withheld – because the national department overshot its budget in December 2014.

These funds, which have been given to the team every year, are to cover costs of accommodation, transportation, meals and equipment. Without it, a vast majority of the 250-member team will be denied the opportunity to excel on a national platform.

This is once again another example of how government hinders the development of sports stars – particularly from the youth of disadvantaged communities.

Just last week, passionate members of the sporting community in the province made their grievances known during a stakeholder engagement at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, with complaints of inferior equipment, a lack of funding and dilapidated facilities regular points of contention.

Tomorrow, members of the Gauteng Schools Championship squad will receive letters of accomplishment for advancing to the SA Schools Championships at an awards ceremony hosted at Laerskool Kruinsig, in Kempton Park.

However, without funding, that is as far as they would go.

This event will be Gauteng Sports MEC, Molebatsi Bopape’s moment to shine if she can provide funding for these deserving athletes to compete with the best in the country.

However, failure to do so will show how this administration is not serious about growing sporting codes in the province, nor does it take its athletes and passionate sporting instructors seriously.

Media Enquiries:
Paul Willemburg MPL
DA Shadow MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation
082 450 0815

[Image source]