Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie is committed to resolving the dispute between eMedia and the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) so that free-to-air broadcasts of Springbok matches on the national broadcaster can resume.

In celebration of 30 years of democracy, the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture piloted a once-off deal that saw the Springbok Test against the All Blacks in Johannesburg being broadcast live for free on SABC.

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) used the platform to showcase the work of a variety of performers before the match and at half-time, in partnership with SA Rugby.

‘A positive consequence of some of these engagements has included the start of a strong relationship with SuperSport and other partners.

‘The ministry has joined forces with SuperSport, Athletics SA, South African Schools Athletics and the Department of Basic Education in launching an exciting Track+Field Schools Athletics Series, starting in January next year.

‘The schools’ a
thletics series will be open to all high schools throughout the country and the objective will be to crown the top athletics high school in the country.

‘The DStv Schools Netball Challenge for all under 19 high school teams is in its fourth year already, and is aimed at inspiring the next generation of South Africa’s netball stars while also contributing towards increasing inter-school competitions,’ the Ministry said on Thursday.

The Ministry has committed to supporting this event.

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.

‘SABC and SuperSport Schools have agreed to a partnership that will ensure the SABC will be able to stream school sport on SABC Plus, thus joinin
g SuperSport Schools in showcasing school sport throughout the country.

‘This will complement the access South Africans already have to high-quality school and youth sports through the SuperSport Schools streaming platform. The focus will be on a diverse range of school and youth sport, including football, netball, rugby, athletics, hockey and basketball,’ the Ministry said.

MultiChoice has agreed to continue the Let’s Play Centres of Excellence programme, undertaking to build a maintenance-free multipurpose sports facility at a school that the ministry shall soon identify.

They will also provide training for teachers, who will drive sports programmes at the school.

Another major project that saw numerous artists commemorating 30 years of democracy was DSAC’s participation at the DStv Delicious Festival, where the Tribute Show honoured iconic South African musicians such as Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba and Brenda Fassie, among many others.

During the media briefing in Johannesburg, the Minister announced
future plans which include the following:

Support for the South African Hip Hop Museum;

A new museum to showcase the life and extensive, previously unseen, memorabilia of Nelson Mandela;

A new Heroes Acre;

The digitisation of millions of physical records in archives;

A new music policy and strategy for the country, along with a new policy on crafts;

The modernisation of many of the department’s more than 30 museums, 19 of which are clustered in the Ditsong and Iziko State-owned entities;

The fusion of technology and libraries;

More support for sport in prisons;

Plans to stage a mega music festival called Afrika Roar, similar in scale to globally famous festivals such as Coachella, Tomorrowland, Glastonbury, Roskilde and Lollapalooza, and

South Africa’s inclusion as Guest of Honour at next year’s International Book Fair of Havana in Cuba.

Source: South African Government News Agency