Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has reflected on his first 100 days in office as being characterised by “putting out fires” and ensuring that the sector has access to opportunities.

These opportunities include a new agreement to fund the film sector, as well as ensuring that every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to thrive in sport and the arts.

‘One key observation of the first 100 days in government is that the ministry has had to respond to several crises and last-minute challenges. One example was the need to rescue the National School of Arts, which was facing closure due to overwhelming financial pressures.

‘In August 2024, the Ministry also became aware of a crisis in South Africa’s imminent hosting of the U18 African basketball championships, known as the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) U18 Afrobasket.

‘To safeguard South Africa’s international reputation as a credible host country, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) took over th
e handling of the event with less than two weeks to go, which ultimately saved the tournament,’ the ministry said on Thursday in Johannesburg.

READ | Minister McKenzie steps in to assist National School of the Arts

McKenzie and Deputy Minister Peace Mabe provided a full feedback report to the nation on their first 100 days in office following their swearing into office in the Government of National Unity (GNU) on 3 July 2024.

The Minister’s wide-ranging portfolio encompasses sport, arts, culture, heritage, recreation, social cohesion and nation building, the custodianship of archives and more.

‘At the end of August, South Africa’s attendance at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Peru was also about to fail. The ministry had to step in at the last minute to ensure the young athletes were able to fly to South America. The athletes received their flights to Peru, with mere hours to spare.

‘The South African team then delivered an outstanding all-round performance, finishing sixth in the overall medal
standings, with a total of seven medals: three gold, two silver, and two bronze. Rising star Bayanda Walaza was confirmed as the fastest teenager in the world,’ the ministry said.

READ | Acting President Mashatile congratulates South African sports stars

Access to opportunities

McKenzie has signed a ground-breaking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube.

‘The new MoU aims to progressively transform access to both sports and cultural programmes in schools, ensuring that every child, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to thrive in sport and the arts.

‘This MoU marked a milestone in the GNU’s vision to deliver equality of access for all young people, particularly those in rural, township, and underprivileged areas,’ the ministry said.

READ | Partnership to transform access to sports programmes in schools

Furthermore, the Cultural and Creative Industries Bosberaad took place on 29 – 30 August and was attended by 72 sector and sub-sector organisations
, with a total of more than 200 participants in attendance.

‘The Bosberaad was a follow-up to bilateral meetings that the ministry had earlier set up with individual organisations and key industry players across different domains and disciplines.

‘It assisted in reimagining a new sector ecosystem, where representative sector and sub-sector organisations can enjoy direct recognition and support from government.

‘This reconfiguration has enabled the department to come up with a new funding model, which will be rolled out in the new financial year, built on principles of inclusivity, broad-based recognition and equitable distribution of available resources for sector-organisation support – as opposed to just funding a few, selected organisations,’ the ministry said.

The ministry also provided new musical instruments and infrastructure to the Mitchell’s Plain Music Academy and the Isivivana Centre in Khayelitsha, which received audiovisual equipment and support.

‘The ongoing process of formalising the unique
ly South African motorsport of spinning is continuing apace, with the ministry being part of the announcement of two major new sponsors for the sport, Cell C and Kappa, with more support for the sport now flowing in from the private sector,’ the ministry said.

Source: South African Government News Agency