Four years after the 2008 national sport indaba, the country is still grappling with the same issues raised then, Sport and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula said on Tuesday.
At the centre of the debates then was the issue of transformation where delegates recognised the slow pace and resistance to change in sporting circles, he told the National Assembly.
Delegates believed the journey to full transformation in sport was still far from over.
They cited “living examples in rugby and cricket that pointed out to lingering prejudices”, he said.
“Four years down the line we are again sitting here grappling with the same issues as raised in the 2008 national sport indaba.”
Review
Next week’s national sport indaba — on November 21 and 22 — was intended to reconstruct, revitalise and transform the sport and recreation sector under the theme “from policy to practice, not just another Indaba”, Mbalula said.
Among other things, the indaba would review the instruments, policies, strategies, and tactics relied upon over the past 16 years for the transformation of South Africa society. “Is there room for review and refinement?”
It would align the Sport and Recreation SA (SRSA) road map strategic priorities to current and future policies and legislation within the sector.
A transformation charter and delivery mechanisms for all sectors and role-players involved in sport and recreation would be fast-tracked.
It would set in motion campaigns, projects, strategies and tactics that would “leap-frog” the sport and recreation sector into new realities and possibilities.
‘Common vision’
Providing facilities in disadvantaged communities within the context of the two economy analysis while ensuring there was access, integration, quality, excellence and global competitiveness, would also be dealt with, Mbalula said.
“We must all be combat ready to join all South Africans in the battle trenches for a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, accessible, integrated and united sport and recreation system today and beyond.
“Of cardinal importance, we must do so to chart a common vision, a common implementation plan, a common delivery mechanisms, across all spheres of government, for sport and recreation development and total transformation of our sector,” he said. — Sapa