FeatUre
Writer: Cecilia de Vos Belgraver
Picture by: Gallo Images
Minister Fikile Mbalula with the Springboks.
Minister Mbalula determined to score big on transformation
T
ransformation in sport remains a thorny topic of
the delivery of sport through the actions of individuals and
passionate debate in South Africa but the news
organisations that comprise the sport sector to ensure:
from government is that it is moving ahead and
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increased access and opportunities for all South Africans – including women, persons with disabilities, youth, children
expected to gain momentum. “Transformation is about equity and access … those
and the elderly – to sport and recreation opportunities.
who are historically disadvantaged must also have ac-
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the socio-economic benefits of sport are harnessed.
cess,” explained Minister of Sport and Recreation, Fikile
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the constitutional right to sport is recognised.
Mbalula recently at The New Age Breakfast Briefing.
But, how can South Africa genuinely achieve mass participation?
The Minister said it was necessary to reach the level where every citizen as espoused in the Freedom Char-
Quotas: The good and bad
ter had access to sport, saying South Africa had to be-
“The strategic reasons for transformation are becoming
come an active nation.
much more important,” said Dr Basson.
Dr Willie Basson of the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) and Gideon Sam, the President of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc), also participated in the discussion.
He added that the bulk of sports people have accepted morally that there needs to be change. “The strategic reason has been overlooked. In terms of representation, 84 per cent of South Africans are black Africans and 16 per cent are white, Indian and coloured.
Transformation Charter Underpinning the drive to attain transformation is the
of the population must be focused on to carry the country
Transformation Charter. Finalised in 2012, it defines
into the future?”
transformation as a “process of holistically changing
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“How clever a strategist must one be to realise the bulk
“What sporting codes did in the past 20 years was define
Public Sector Manager • November 2015