Hon Speaker, this is with regard to the question as to what measures have been put in place to promote and realise an active lifestyle, a balanced diet, the control of alcohol abuse and lastly health awareness.
On the first question, let me say the Strategic Plan 2012-2016 of Sport and Recreation South Africa, SRSA, recognises the role sport and recreation plays in promoting social and economic values and enhancing healthy and fulfilling lives. The National Sport and Recreation Plan also focuses on increasing the levels of participation in sport and recreation, thereby promoting an active lifestyle, balanced diet, the control of alcohol abuse and health awareness.
As an important measure to realise this plan Sport and Recreation South Africa has identified school sport as the key focus area and since the launch of the School Sport Programme, more than 58 000 learners have participated in school sport programmes and 10 000 schools have registered to participate in the national school leagues in the 2012-13 financial year.
For the first time this year, from 9 to 14 December 2012, we will host the National School Sports Championship at Mamelodi in Tshwane, which will be attended by not less than 7 000 athletes.
On the second question, SRSA is driving various projects that can contribute to a more active and healthy nation, of which the following are examples: The first youth camps were hosted successfully in 2012 and equipped thousands of young people with important life skills.
The Indigenous Games Programme, which was implemented in all provinces, culminates in the National Indigenous Games Festival and provides recreational activities for young children and families.
In the last financial year, financial support was provided to 50 national federations; two NGOs, LoveLife and the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee, Sascoc; and two public entities to ensure their sustainable delivery of activity programmes that support the strategy of the department. The aim of this service was to oversee the development, promotion and management of sport and recreation in South Africa.
Furthermore, sport equipment was provided to 41 clubs, 77 coaches were trained in basic sports science and medicine, 18 gymnasium instructors were trained as fitness instructors and 1 461 sub-elite athletes received scientific and medical support.
The Community Mass Participation Programme delivers sport promotion programmes by focusing on increasing the number of participants in sport and recreation, with an emphasis on the disadvantaged and marginalised groups.
In 2011-12, the department involved 28 000 participants who took part in sport projects such as the indigenous games, Golden Games, outreach projects and Magnificent Fridays.
Sport and indigenous games equipment was provided to various communities. Toolkits for Sport for Development were made available and training on the toolkit was conducted for more than 100 co-ordinators and volunteers in all nine provinces.
The department is in the process of developing a governance model for recreation and the implementation of recreation programmes to strengthen the delivery of recreation. The Recreation Advisory Committee has been appointed to guide the development of this sector.
In addition, the current mass participation programmes have been expanded to include the promotion and implementation of community recreation programmes.
Lastly, SRSA has implemented measures that will address the matters of an active lifestyle, balanced diet and health awareness in general. As far as controlling alcohol abuse is concerned, the department continues to be part of the Central Drug Authority that deals with all forms of substance abuse, including that of alcohol. This process is led by the Department of Social Development through the support of the SA Youth Development Academy, Sayda.
The initiatives and awareness programmes are integrated with all sport programmes, promoting an active lifestyle as well as high-performance sport.
From a safety and security perspective, as far as the use of alcohol at stadiums and other venues in the Republic are concerned, the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act, Act 2 of 2010, currently provides measures to be put in place to effect the provisions of the Act.