(a). what steps has Swimming SA (SSA) taken to foster the development of water polo at grassroots levels within the republic, (b) how is SSA actively involved in developing (i) coaches and (ii) officials to enhance the overall standard of water polo coaching and officiating?
The Ministry engaged Swimming South Africa (SSA) who provided the following responses:
(a). Considering limited resources, grassroots programmes are primarily focused on water safety education and teaching swimming as a life skill in areas where there are facilities. Noting that of approximately 25,000 schools in South Africa, 22,000 do not have swimming pools. Swimming Pools in schools is limited to private schools where water ...
(1). how (a) does Swimming SA (SSA) intend to enhance communication channels to ensure effective dissemination of information and minimise errors in player details and (b) will SSA address logistical challenges such as inadequate preparation time for tournaments to ensure effective operational processes.
(2). what measures are being implemented to prevent last-minute passport issues, especially considering the inconvenience and financial burden placed on players?
Swimming South Africa (SSA) indicates that they require additional information to respond to these questions as they are unaware of these incidents.
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Whether he will furnish Mr T A Le Goff with a (a) list and (b) full description of all events planned by his department to take place before 29 May 2024 in celebration of the 30 years of democracy in the Republic, including the (i) projected total cost or expenditure of each event and (ii) breakdown thereof in terms of expenditure for (aa) catering, (bb) entertainment, (cc) venue hire, (dd) transport and (ee) accommodation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
The department has not allocated any new budget for the 30 Year celebration of Democracy in South Africa. However, the department aims to utilise all standing national days in 2024 to observe the yearlong celebration. In this case, the department intends to celebrate the 30 years anniversary of democracy in South Africa through the Human Rights Day, Freedom Day, and the Africa Day under ...
With reference to Africa’s representation in Water Polo at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics and the withdrawal of the South Africa’s Water Polo teams from the Olympics after their qualification, what was the extent of the involvement of Africa Aquatics in the decision-making process concerning Africa’s representation in water polo at the Olympics.
2) Whether there were invitations to African countries to participate in the Olympic games; if not, what are the reasons other African Nations were not considered for participation; if so, (a) did the republic decline an invitation to participate and (b) what were the reasons for declining to participate
3) Whether he has found indication of financial transactions or exchanges related to the allocation of Olympic invitations possibly involving Olympic Committees rather than direct Water Polo stakeholders; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details? NW943E
The Department has engaged with Swimming South Africa (SSA) in relation to the questions asked and submit the following responses.
1. Swimming South Africa indicates that Africa Aquatics encouraged South Africa’s participation at the Olympic Games, however SSA has the final decision on the matter and declined SA’s participation due to the team not meeting SSA’s criteria.
2. The Minister is not able to ...
Whether he has been informed that the Nomoya Masilela Museum in Bethal, Mpumalanga, has no permanent employees but is operated only by volunteers; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in this regard?
I have not been informed about the said situation at the Nomoya Masilela Museum, as this is a Provincial Museum and thus under provincial competence.
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(1). Whether he has found that the process for the selection of the board of World Aquatics is a transparent and an inclusive one with regard to the Water Polo Community; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details.
(2). (a) how long has the current Executive Committee been serving Swim SA and
(b) what justifies their continued tenure amidst persistent organisational failures?
1. As Minister of Government Department in the Republic of South Africa, I do not have oversight or authority when it comes to International Federations, and I am therefore unable to comment on this matter.
2.(a). The current Executive Committee was elected on 15 January 2022, and has been serving Swimming SA since then.
(b). Unfortunately, I am not aware of any organizational failures ...
(1). Who (a) were the key individuals responsible for making decisions regarding Africa’s representation in water Polo for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics, (b) has the authority to withdraw South Africa’s water Polo teams from the Olympics after they have qualified, and (c) what criteria was used to inform Swim SA (SSA) that finishing in the top 12 was a requirement.
(2). What factors influenced the decisions made regarding Africa’s participation, particularly the lack of invitations to African nations in subsequent Olympic games and (b) how did these decision-makers acquire the authority to shape the aspirations of water Polo players in the Republic and influence sport development across Africa.
(3). Whether there was a collaborative process involving board members of SSA in making decisions regarding Olympic participation and representation; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
The Honorable Member should note that :-
1.(a). Participation in the Olympic Games is determined by the relevant International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) regulations and qualification process as determined from time to time in consultation with relevant International Federations (IF), which is the same process followed for Water Polo sport.
(b). South African Sport Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) in consultation with National federations, have ...
What steps has he/his department taken to address concerns raised by the freedom park branch of National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union in their December 2023 letter to the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture, specifically regarding the alleged controversial transaction involving (i) some members of council and (ii) Freedom Park management, (b) what do the specified transaction entail and (c) how are the concerns addressed?
(a). The matter was referred to the Freedom Park Council which in turn commissioned an internal investigation to establish the veracity of the claims. The report presented showed that the allegations made were not factual.
- There are no transactions of whatever nature that any Council member was involved in.
- There are no transactions of whatever nature that the management was involved in.
(b). A ...
What are the full details of all (a) sponsorship, (b) donations and (c) financial transfers provided for lawfare and//or any other purposes to (I) him, (ii) his department and (iii) officials of his department by any (aa) Qatari, (bb) Iranian and/or (cc) Russian organ of state, organisation and/or resident since 1 January 2021 up to the latest date in 2024 for which information is available?
During the specified period between 01 January 2021 and to the current date in 2024, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has not received sponsorships, donations, or any transfers for lawfare and for any other purposes from Qatari Iranian and/or Russian organ of state, organisation and/or resident.
Thank you
(1) Whether he will furnish Mrs V van Dyk with (a) copy of the forensic investigation report into matters at freedom park that was conducted by SNG Grant Thornton and (b) the fraud case number including an update on the investigation initiated in 2019; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; and
(2) whether the report will be made publicly available; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details.
(3) What actions have been taken against the (a) Chief Financial Officer and (b) Financial Manager who are being accused of negligence in the forensic report.
(4) whether the employee responsible for the improper procurement of fried chicken has been disciplined as the auditor recommended; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
(1)(a). Copy is attached for your attention.
(b). Case number 421/1/2018. I am not able to provide update as the case was opened by Freedom Park.
(2). The Freedom Park Council commissioned the report, and it is their prerogative to make if they wish to make the report publicly available.
(3)(a). The Chief Financial Officer resigned prior to the finalization of the report, ...
