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No Sport Facilities Built For The Poor Over The Past 3 Years

In reply to a DA question, Gauteng Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SACR) MEC, Faith Mazibuko, revealed that no rugby, cricket and swimming facilities were built over the past three years in previously disadvantaged communities.

It is shocking that despite ANC rhetoric on grassroots sporting development, no facilities were built by the department.

Transformation in sport is always lamented by the ANC yet their administration is doing nothing to develop this.

Young people in poor communities are the ones most affected as their development is stymied and they are left to be influenced by drugs and crime.

Further to this, SACR MEC revealed in another response to the DA that the department has budgeted R3.5 million for the Gauteng Sports Awards.

Last year, the department spent over R10 million on these awards, money that could have been better spent on sport facilities to benefit the poor.

It is disingenuous that the department would splurge money on a lavish event when the bare minimum in poor communities for developing sporting codes have not been met.

The DA will hold MEC Mazibuko accountable on her promise to have two new sport facilities built in Sedibeng and the West Rand in the new financial year.

Click here to view the two replies.

 

 

 

Media Enquiries
 
 
 
Kingsol Chabalala MPL
DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts, Culture and Heritage
060 558 8299
 
Yaseen Carelse
DA Social Cluster Manager
076 721 8613
 
 
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DA Congratulates Winners Of GP Sports Awards

The DA congratulates all the winners of the various awards at the annual Gauteng Sports Awards held last night in Mogale City.

Our sporting heroes must be commended for the exceptional role they play in uplifting communities, nation building and the promotion of transformation and inclusivity.

In awarding our sports stars in the province we collectively promote the ideals of aspiring to lift oneself out of poverty and staying away from drugs and alcohol abuse.

These sports stars are truly role models for the youth in the province and the country.

The DA in Gauteng is proud of all our sports starts and we will actively work to ensure fairness in play and reward.

 

Media enquiries:

Kingsol Chabalala MPL

DA Gauteng Spokesperson on Sport, Arts, Culture and Heritage

060 558 8299

[Image source]

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Gauteng Sports MEC Prioritises Events over Development

Gauteng Sports MEC Molebatsi Bopape today showed her disdain for sports development in the province through her misguided belief that hosting events hold more importance than purchasing sports equipment.

Oral Questions in the Gauteng Legislature

Solly Msimanga DA Gauteng Spokesperson on Sports

During her response to oral questions on funding for the Gauteng Sports Awards, the DA asked the MEC why more than R25 million was spent on events in the first three quarters of the 2014/15 financial year, but only R591 000 on sports equipment.

In an amusing attempt to wriggle out of what is clearly an embarrassing situation, it became quite clear the MEC had no idea of the affairs of her department, when she said that “The Department of Sports is a department of events”.

Repositioning Gauteng Sports Department Expenditure

The DA has for years been calling for the re-prioritisation of the department’s expenditure from hosting lavish events and overseas trips for MECs, to improving sports infrastructure in our communities and to provide equipment to the disadvantaged youth.

And while MEC Bopape, like her predecessors, continues to ignore this advice, school athletes chosen to represent Gauteng at the South African Schools Championships in Rustenburg were informed two weeks ago that they would be responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs.

The DA will submit further written questions to the MEC, asking for a detailed description of every event hosted, when they were held, and whether any talent identification took place.

We will also ask the MEC to provide us with details of the department’s talent identification systems across the major codes, individual and group coaching clinics, as well as long and medium term mentoring until athletes start competing at major events.

 

Media enquiries:

Solly Msimanga MPL

DA Gauteng Spokesperson on Sports

060 558 8308

[Image source]