Cultural Affairs and Sport Adjusted Budget 2021/22

Meeting report

The Chairperson welcomed everyone to the Committee for the consideration of the Western Cape Adjustments Appropriation Bill (2021), specifically Vote 13 on Cultural Affairs and Sport. He invited introductory remarks from the Minister and Head of Department.

Western Cape Minister Anroux Marais said that, in a sense, the past year had been more difficult than the previous year. She could confirm, however, that the Department had “kept to the road” to the best of its ability. This really made a difference, she said, in terms of physical and mental health in all circumstances.

Mr Guy Redman, Head of Department: Cultural Affairs, highlighted that the Department’s budget had increased by R2.6 million, to R900 million. The impact of COVID-19 was being felt by the Department as it had resulted in delays in the rollout of some of the planned programmes; foremost being the completion of the Archaeological and Palaeontological Heritage Tourism Route as well as the upgrading of Phillippi Stadium to ensure that it was compliant with SASREA (Safety at Sports and Recreational Events). Notably, the Department had its applications for rollovers approved by the Provincial Treasury, and R6.8 million was subsequently received.

The Chairperson indicated there were no requests for oral submissions on the Bill from members of the public. He invited comments from Members.

Ms L Botha (DA) referred to the at-home training pilot programme in the Cape Winelands. When will the pilot programme be fully rolled out? Would it be carried out during the December holidays and what did it entail? Were the youth aware that these programmes would happen in the various districts?

Mr P Marais (FF+) said the celebration of cultural heritage is of paramountcy in South Africa owing to the diversity of its people. He queried why allocations toward preservation and the development of heritage sites and assets had not been increased. On the extra R20 million to be received by non-profit organisations (NPOs), he asked who the NPOs were and what the funds were for. During a previous engagement, the Department had said it had saved money by not filling some vacancies. How did this impact its efficiency at a time when millions are unemployed?

Mr Redman replied there were delays in the filling of vacancies owing to the impact of COVID-19 on recruitment processes. With vacancies older than five years, there were post re-evaluation processes which needed to be followed, and they normally take time to complete. Only key vacancies were prioritised last year.

Ms Brenda Rutgers, Chief Financial Officer, Department of Cultural Affairs, said additional funding for NPOs was as a result of realignments to the departmental budget so as to increase funding for the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) to sustain the same number of beneficiaries following the previous year’s cuts.

Ms Jacqueline Boulle, Head: Youth and After School Programme Office, said the at-home learning project was an innovation that began early last year in collaboration with the Departments of Education, and Economic Development and Tourism in an effort to mitigate some of the challenges met by learners who were unable to go to school during lockdown. The project was operating in 13 hubs, 12 in the Cape Winelands and one in the West Coast. The programme has been hugely successful; some learners that had dropped out from schools were transitioned back to learning environments. The project will be expanded to more districts in the next calendar year. A number of NGOs are involved in the project. On the holiday programme, it was being offered in partnership with local organisations and its focus would be on community-based activities in about 30 communities. The list was still being finalised. It will run from 15 December 2021 to 18 January 2022. It is an integrated programme with recreational, art, reading and life skills components, and would leverage the skills of existing partners.

Ms Jane Moleleki, Director: Arts and Culture, said the funding of heritage assets in the province was a priority for the Department. On the museum front, the spending was about R16 million for the year and there are 31 affiliated museums in the province. Heritage Western Cape (HWC) has its own budget as it is responsible for the promotion of heritage assets. The Department is responsible for its funding, and R500 000 had been extended to the HWC to ensure it is adequately funded. 

Mr Marais asked about the contingency fund. He hoped the money would be channelled towards developing sport and recreation facilities in poorer areas rather than on festivals held for a few days.

Dr Lyndon Bouah, Director: Sport and Recreation, replied the Department has a very small budget for facilities largely because Schedule Five of the Constitution states that this is a municipal competence. Funds had been transferred to municipalities for the construction of 30 netball courts across the province. Municipalities apply for funding from the provincial government and the Department would play a role in monitoring that this is done within the confines of agreed upon norms and standards.

The Chairperson appreciated the discussions and noted there were no further comments from Members. He invited the Minister and the HOD to give their closing remarks. 

In Afrikaans, the Minister said: “Thank you very much, Chairperson. First of all, I just want to thank you very much; the Standing Committee and yourself. It’s always nice to visit you. It is important to us that you provide us with constructive critiques, otherwise we cannot progress and serve our communities. And then I would also want to say a big ‘thank you’ to Mr Matthews, who keeps us on our toes and sees to all the arrangements. Have a safe and wonderful festive season.”

Mr Redman thanked the Committee for the guidance and support, and gave assurances the Department would do its best to fulfil its mandate. 

Adoption of Report on the Western Cape Adjustments Appropriation Bill: Vote 13

Ms R Windvogel (ANC) raised the issue of the building of libraries in various communities in Swellendam. She said that for these projects, local workers were hired according to EPWP prices. She was not sure about this, and wanted to understand how it transpired. She wanted to know whether this was handled by the Minister or through the tender administration process. She was not sure whether she was addressing this issue on the correct platform. She said she had received “a lot” of complaints concerning the building of libraries in Swellendam, where local workers got EPWP prices, but the Building Bargaining Council had another price for builders.

The Chairperson thanked her, and said that she should forward her comments to the Procedural Officer, after which he would return to it and rework it in terms of Ms Windvogel’s input.

The Chairperson put the Report up for adoption.

Ms Botha moved for its adoption.

Mr Marais seconded. 

The report was adopted without amendments.

The meeting was adjourned.