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

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Gauteng Sports And Recreation Racks Up R194 Million In Irregular Expenditure

Irregular Expenditure

The Gauteng Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture (SRAC) incurred R194 million in irregular expenditure during the 2015/16 financial year, as mentioned in its annual report.

According to the Auditor General of South Africa (AG), effective steps were not taken by the department’s financial officer to prevent this irregular expenditure.

The AG also noted in its report to the department the following:

  • Financial statements submitted for auditing were not in accordance with the regulations of the Public Financial Management Act;
  • Effective steps were not taken to prevent unauthorised expenditure amounting to R12,8 million;
  • Goods and services with a transaction value above R500 000 were procured without following proper procedures;
  • The head of department did not perform adequate oversight over financial reporting, compliance with legislation and related internal controls;
  • Management did not identify areas of non-compliance in supply chain management regulations due to a lack of training and understanding; and
  • There are various investigations in progress relating to procurement irregularities, fraud, theft and negligence within the department.

Sports MEC Faith Mazibuko

The annual financial statements of the department clearly shows SRAC is unable to manage its finances.

Further to this, SRAC, underspent its budget by over R90 million, which could and should have been spent on recreation and sporting facilities, library materials and sporting kits for disadvantaged teams.

Sports MEC Faith Mazibuko has a responsibility to ensure sound financial management practices are in place to prevent further financial losses.

 

Media enquiries:

Kingsol Chabalala MPL

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

060 558 8299

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Zero New Books Delivered To Emfuleni Community Libraries

The DA can this morning reveal that zero new books have been delivered to the libraries in the Emfuleni community since the 2011/12 financial year, although books have been budgeted for and purchased, but stored somewhere in the province.

Sources close to the library have revealed this information to the DA following our numerous calls for better delivery of services to the libraries in Emfuleni.

I will submit a series of questions to the Gauteng MEC for Culture, Sport and Recreation, to ascertain the amounts paid, where the books are now, who’s responsible for distribution and why they haven’t been delivered to date.

Libraries are intended to be knowledge hubs for communities to access valuable resources to supplement education and obtain information from government to the people.

MEC Bopape must ensure that these books are delivered timeously and probe the cause of their non-delivery. Should no action be taken, the DA will not hesitate to take further steps.

Gauteng residents and particular those of Emfuleni pay the price for non-delivery of services from a department mandated to ensure they are well informed and that a holistic approach is taken to supplement their education.

 

Media enquiries:

Kingsol Chabalala MPL

DA Gauteng Spokesperson on Sport, Arts, Culture and Heritage

060 558 8299

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