The advent of Covid-19 has undeniably had a very negative effect on KwaZulu-Natal’s athletes – not only financially, but also in terms of well-being and fitness. The virus also means that the province’s Sport and Recreation Department now has an even bigger role to play in society. This as sporting centres and facilities serve as a breakaway, particularly for the younger generation, who use sport as a means of empowering themselves to break free of domestic violence and abuse.
It is therefore refreshing to note that an amount of R7million was made available to athletes, coaches and other industry personnel as provincial financial relief during the national lockdown. This after the cancellation of various sporting events. There has also been a national relief fund set-up, but many athletes that applied for the relief funding have not been paid to date.
Regrettably, the DA is aware of several complaints in this regard. These include transparency on payments, the amounts already given out and the fact that some who qualify for the funding have still not been paid. The reasons for this must be made clear while there must also be accountability with these payments. If events were cancelled and are not being rescheduled, the funds are available and there should not be any excuse for athletes not being paid.
The Budget
Another disappointment is the reduction in this Department’s budget for the 2020/2021 financial year when funding has decreased. This is set to be another slap in the face for the Department, which was already underperforming with the previous budgets. While last year saw a small margin increase, there was little to no improvement in key areas and it seems unlikely that there will be during the forthcoming year. This observation is based on the discrepancies that have been noted and identified within the budget over time.
A look at the administrative aspect of funding from the Department shows that the budget was underspent last year while critical vacant posts were not filled. Yet, in the 2020/2021 budget it is noted that 36 critical posts will be filled. The DA wants to know which posts these will be? We also want to know whether there is a problem that boils down to Human Resource Management due to the significant delays in recruiting and hiring? The funds are allocated and there should be no excuse for posts not being filled. Regrettably, this has been a trend within this Department for the past three financial years. Our country has the high rate of unemployment and a huge number of unemployed graduates yet government has not come to the job creation table.
Another critical area which requires urgent attention is the fact that the Department is not receiving an allocation in respect of the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) Integrated Grant. This has been ongoing since the 2019/2020 budget and is largely due to the slow spending trend of grants in the 2018/2019 budget. This as a result of delays in finalisation of Service Level Agreements between the Department and the municipalities. This now means that the Department will not create employment because of its own failure to utilise grants adequately in the past. The end result is that many sports facilities will not be maintained while people will not use them if they are not in good condition.
Sporting facilities
The DA does however welcome the provisions made for sports facilities within the Mtubatuba and Umfolozi municipalities to be maintained, along with the construction of four new rural cricket hubs in Zululand, Umzinyathi, Ugu and Umkhanyakude. We also note the continued construction of fitness centres in Umhlatuze, Umzimkhulu and the Alfred Duma Municipalities and sports fields in Umfolozi, Umvoti and the Mtubatuba Municipalities. It will be very interesting to see if these promises are fulfilled while there must also be complete transparency and accountability with all new construction and the allocation of funds.
Despite there being many provisions, the Harry Gwala District – with a population of over half a million people – will only receive a fitness centre in Umzimkhulu. That is one municipality out of four in this district. The DA does not believe that enough is being done to cater to this community with not a single swimming pool, cricket field or tennis court for the public to use. One municipality being given a fitness centre does not solve the entire districts problems.
Another area of concern is the Amajuba District Municipality, which has not been mentioned in the Department’s 2020/2021 budget. There have been numerous challenges within this district while nobody seems to have any answers. One example is the Osizweni Hub where a complete cricket field was given to the district during the Cricket World Cup a few years ago. The hub now has a ‘kombi court’ in the centre of the pitch, thereby eliminating any form of cricket from being played. Despite this, not one of the officials within either the Department or the municipality could explain how this was allowed to happen. This still requires a full forensic investigation and there must be consequences. The DA will continue hold those who have failed the residents of this district accountable. Amajuba has been in crisis for a long time and urgent intervention was needed ages ago. A total of 73% of this district’s population is under the age of 35 yet they do not have enough proper sporting facilities because this Department has failed them.
The hard work needs to begin
The DA is disappointed that an aspect as important as sports is being neglected when it comes to funding. While budgets are decreasing, hopes and dreams are being destroyed. It is so very unfortunate that time and time again, disadvantaged areas are spoken about but completely ignored in budgets. For KZN’s Sport and Recreation, the hard work must begin at grass roots level. It is within the areas of KZN which are not exposed to sport that there is so much hidden talent waiting to be found.