Emphasising that the Government of National Unity (GNU) is at work, Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube and Sports, Arts and Culture Minister, Gayton McKenzie, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wednesday to revitalise sports and arts in public schools.
Collaboration of the two departments is expected to boost sports, arts and culture activities in South African public schools.
The MoU emanated from McKenzie’s efforts in bringing indigenous sports back in schools, such as spinning, which is popular in townships.
Gwarube noted the MoU and alliance of the departments planned to enforce equal access of sporting and arts activities for over 13 million learners in the country.
“We have signed an MoU to reinvigorate sports and culture in our schools. What we want to say, there are 13.5 million learners in schools who are all worthy to be given the opportunity to have sports and culture available in their schools, whether in QwaQwa, Qumbu, or Sandton, and nationwide,” said Gwarube.
McKenzie thanked the education minister for her swift response, as collaboration of the departments was long overdue.
He said the MoU was a significant outcome of last year’s School Sport Indaba with stakeholders, who committed to develop school sports at grassroots level.
“This is a historic day. I want to thank the minister for fast-tracking her response, and making sure we sign this agreement. This agreement is a vital first step in unlocking talent and boosting transformation in both sports and the arts,” said McKenzie.
The sports minister highlighted that national sports teams had been scouting talent in private schools for years, which subjected talented learners from low-income schools that lacked facilities.
Therefore, the MoU is set to narrow the gap between underprivileged and high-income schools, where all learners, especially in the townships and rural areas, have equal access to sports and arts facilities.
McKenzie said: “For too long, South Africa’s national teams have relied on private schools as talent-feeders, which, while valuable, does not represent the full potential of this country.
“The key to transforming South African sport is to ensure that as many schools as possible, from townships, to rural areas and other less fortunate communities, gain access to similar kinds of facilities, coaching and equipment.
“We want to change and make sure unprivileged children access all sports equipment and opportunities. We want to make sure finances are not the reason children don't become Olympians (succeed in sports, culture and arts). We want to make learners access opportunities,” said McKenzie.
He added that the MoU marked the GNU’s strides by ensuring an inclusive government of all its citizens.
“This is the GNU at work. We are collaborating and working well and this GNU, under the leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa, is going to transform South Africa vastly for the better in the next five years,” said McKenzie.
The Star