Speaker of our Provincial Legislature, Honourable Rosemary Molapo
Deputy Speaker of the Legislature, Honourable Tshitereke Matibe, 
Honourable Premier Stanley Chupu Mathabatha,
Colleagues in the Executive Council,
Chief Whip of the governing Party, Honourable Essop Mokgonyana
Chair of Chairs Hon Monyamane,
Deputy Chiefwhip Hon Mochadi,
Leaders of the Opposition political parties,
Chairpersons of various Portfolio committees,
Esteemed members of this house,
The Provincial Secretary of the governing Party, the ANC, Musanda Vho-Reuben Madadzhe,
Heads of various departments and senior staff members,
Members of the various statutory and non statutory bodies of the department
Our mayors, Magoshi and esteemed business community,
Special guests who have graced this august house from the creative,
recreation and sporting industry
Members of the media fraternity,
Distinguished guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
Ndi matsheloni ,
Avuxeni ,
Good morning,
Silotshile.
Thobela
Goeie more
Honourable Speaker and the esteemed house,

The preamble of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa as adopted in 1996 reads; “We the people of South Africa,Recognize the injustices of our past, Honour those who suffered for the justice and freedom of our land, Respect those who have worked to build and develop our country, and Believe that South Africa belongs to all who live in it; united in our diversity.’

This preamble defines the work we seek to do as a Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, in support of all the other government institutions and communities in our Province.

Honourable Speaker,

I stand this morning to present my maiden speech to the house, colleagues and invited guests who have supported us immensely through the most difficult and most exciting times in the creative and sporting world.

As the preamble of our Constitution outlines, we present this Speech during Freedom month. To be precise, in the next 22 days on the 27th of April, all South Africans, will be celebrating 29 years of Freedom. This will be 29 years free from discrimination, 29 years of cultural and sport freedom, 29 years of enjoying and breathing free air from apartheid. 29 years of crisscrossing the world of sport through Soccer World Cups, Confederation of Africa Cup (CAF), Rugby, Tennis, and indigenous games.

On the 27th April 1994, millions of South Africans voted for a democratic government that ushered in for the first-time, black people to be able to play sport at Loftus Versveld, opening ways for a black child to play rugby at Hans Merensky, Hoerskool Pietersburg and other previously discriminated schools in and around Polokwane, Groblersdal, Mokopane, Bela-Bela and elsewhere around the province.

Two weeks ago, an art activist and member of the National Arts Council, Sipho Sithole wrote in the Sunday Times newspaper and I quote;” There will never be a hero of this sector who can easily claim victories in meeting the aspirations of the artistic community’, close quotes.

In Amílcar Lopes da Costa Cabral’s book, Tell No Lies, claim no Easy Victories, two statements caught me and Sipho Sithole’s attention; He says, and I quote; “Always bear in mind that the people are not fighting for ideas, for the things in anyone’s head. They are fighting to win material benefits, to live better and in peace, to see their lives go forward, to guarantee the future of their children.” He further argues that as people, “we should recognise as a matter of conscience that there have been many
faults and errors in our action whether political or military, an important number of things we should have done we have not done at the right times, or not done at all” closed quotes.

Honourable Speaker; the liberation movement had in the 1960s called for the world to impose cultural boycott on South Africa. The cultural boycott consisted of the one hand, the mobilisation of writers, musicians and artists in the fight against apartheid, and on the other hand in the cessation of all cultural exchange with South Africa. Black people could no longer tolerate being spectators when white children enjoyed the stage without them. They could no longer enjoy watching the world cup from outside, looking inside.

They could no longer play soccer only at Orlando Stadium, Lebowakgomo, Seshego and elsewhere, when their white counterparts enjoyed world class facilities of clean swimming pools in Polokwane and Bela Bela when their children swim in crocodile and disease infested dirty rivers. The architect of apartheid had obviously noted that to achieve their demonic separate rule of apartheid dominance against black people, was to first destroy their culture and their creative industry aspirations.

These freedoms we are enjoying today, were fought in the athletic terrain, in the soccer field, on the music and theater stage and in the boxing ring. These freedoms were fought for, through poetry and sonnets, these freedoms were never free, and we must defend the democratic gains that we have so far achieved.

In his State of the Nation address, President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa says, “The people of South Africa want action, they want solutions, and they want government to work for them”.

We fully agree with this statement that defines us as servants of the people. 

Honourable Speaker,

In our endeavour to build a better Africa and a better world, we stand here today when the Grannies in their own rights have just
wrapped up a Grannies International Football Tournament (GIFT) like no
other.

More than 400 grannies represented different countries. That is the USA, France, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and South Africa. Two teams from the USA were in the finals and Breakers won by one goal to nil against Lextressas both are from Boston Massechussets in USA. The Vhembe District team were knocked out in the semi-finals.

It is therefore my honour and privilege that I ask the house to thank Mama Beka Ntsanwisi and her Foundation for bringing these grannies to our shores. She is a formidable partner in sport, and we will support her in requesting the South African Football Association (SAFA) to establish a Grannies or Magogo’s Football League. Indeed, Honourable Speaker, Social cohesion and recreational sport are no longer a pipe dream, but a reality.

Budget allocation for 2023/24 Financial Year

Honourable Speaker,

The Budget Allocation for the Department for this (2023/24) Financial Year has increased from five-hundred and thirty-three million and two hundred and ninety-three thousand rand (R533.293 million) in the 2022/23 financial year to six-hundred and
twenty-one million, eight hundred and sixteen thousand rand (R621.816 million) in 2023/24 financial year. This represents an increase of eighty-eight million, five hundred and twenty-three thousand rand (R88.523 million) which is 16.6% as a result of
additional and provincial priorities allocations under equitable share and a slight increase on conditional grant.

This budget comprises of Equitable Share allocation of Three Hundred and ninety-nine million, nine hundred and twenty-eight thousand rand (R399.928 million) which is 64% of the overall budget. The remainder of 36% which amounts to Two hundred and
twenty-one million, eight hundred and eighty-eight thousand rand (R221.888 million) is a Conditional Grant allocation.

Out of the Six hundred and twenty-one million and eight hundred thousand rand (R621.8 million), Administration has been allocated, Two hundred and nine million, one hundred and fifty-five thousand rand (R209.155 million), Cultural Affairs is allocated, Eighty-five million one hundred and twenty-six thousand rand (R85.126million,) Library and Archive Services gets Two hundred and twenty-three million, two hundred and forty-three thousand rand (R223.243 million) whereas Sport and Recreation is allocated one-hundred and four million, two hundred and ninety-twothousand rand (R104.292 million).

Programme 1: Adminstration

Honourable Speaker,

The Department is delighted by the hard work of Team Sport, Arts and Culture which obtained an unqualified audit opinion for the past three financial years in a row, and we are more than convinced that we will keep this record henceforth. We have of course
been able to keep this traction with the support of the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts led by Honorable Donald Selamolela and this august house. Re a le loboga honourable members. The objective of the administrative programme is to conduct the overall management and administrative support to the department. This includes the Office of the MEC, Office of the HOD, Corporate Services and Financial Management. A total budget allocation of Two hundred and nine million, one hundred and fifty-five thousand rand (R209.155 million) has therefore been set aside for this programme.

Honourable Members,

In promoting an ethical and Developmental State, the Department has appointed five (5) SMS Members in the area of Human Resource Development, Arts and Culture, Supply Chain Management, Library and Archive services and Sport Development in the previous financial year (2022/23). Three Directors in Sekhukhune, Waterberg and Capricorn will be appointed in this financial year 2023/24 followed by the establishment of the Internal Control and Compliance Unit within the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

These appointments will thus strengthen Good Governance, Administration and Accountability in all the business units, thus promoting collaboration and the district development model to its fullest capacity, thus also maximising service delivery systems.

This programme is funded through the equitable share, and it takes 34% of the overall allocation. The budget is allocated for overall administrative services of the Department. As part of the increase in the budget allocation, we are looking at improving the muchneeded tools of trade which will include vehicles, furniture, and ICT infrastructure, of which have now become an obstacle in attaining core mandatory objectives.

Programme 2: Cultural Affairs

Honourable Speaker,

The objective of the Cultural Affairs programme is to promote culture, conserve and manage the cultural, historical assets and resources of the province by rendering various services and hosting cultural events. This programme has a total budget allocation of
Eighty-five Million, One hundred and twenty-six thousand rand (R85.126 million) for this financial year (2023/24). This amount is funded from both equitable share and EPWP conditional grant.

During the past financial year (2022/23), we celebrated Freedom Day, Africa Day, and Heritage Day. All these significant days attracted around 12 thousand people. This hasbeen a significant achievement.

As we speak, the Department is again busy with preparations for this year’s Freedom Day Celebrations. These are the type of events that assist in realising social cohesion as espoused by the Preamble of our Constitution. They also remind us of the struggles for
liberation and the milestones we have gone through in the building of our democratic dispensation.

It is for this reason that I invite honourable members of this august house and all our guests, to come in their numbers to listen to the Premier of the Province during this year’s Freedom Day celebrations.

Honourable Speaker,

It gives me great pleasure to announce that all statutory bodies have been constituted, in exception of the Limpopo Heritage and Resources Authority (LIRA), of which the process of its constitution is underway.

We are also glad to report that after two years of COVID-19 restrictions in the country, the Department managed to host a successful Mapungubwe Arts and Culture Festival 2022 in Polokwane. You could see by the attention and excitement that our creative
industry people showed, especially performing artists, that they had gone through the worst.

About ten thousand (10 000) music lovers danced and enjoyed social cohesion through the night, and some stayed until the last artist at 7 am the following day. The presence of the Premier, Members of The Executive Council and some of the legislature members, was testimony enough that Limpopo is indeed the melting pot of South Africa. Our special guests from Zimbabwe, Namibia and Mozambique were eating out of the hands of our illustrious artists.

For the first time in history, at least 96% of the artists that performed at the festival were from Limpopo. This is part of our resolve that from then onwards, Mapungubwe or any other Limpopo festival should prioritise local content.

We wish to therefore report that in this financial year, we will roll out the Mapungubwe Arts Festival build-up activities in all Limpopo Districts, in order to allow Limpopo artists to showcase their creative talent. This will ensure that all art genres are given an
opportunity to participate. As we say in Limpopo “Indlovu ya hina leyi”.

We also wish to report that in the past financial year (2022/23) we managed to host 25 dialogues to strengthen social cohesion amongst the people of Limpopo. In the current (2023/24) financial year, we plan to host 26 dialogues, thus covering the entire province
and reaching communities that were previously not accessed.

In this financial year, Honourable Speaker, we have also decided to face Gender based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) head on through sport and arts. We will focus on crime hotspot areas, communities with prevalent Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF)
and Xenophobia cases. With these, we seek to implement the Presidential Gender based Violence and Femicide Strategic Plan pillars which are;

Accountability, Coordination and Leadership

Prevention and Rebuilding of Social Cohesion

Justice, Safety and Protection,

Response, Care, Support and Healing,

Economic Power

Research and Information Management Systems.

It is these pillars Honourable Speaker, we seek to implement in the province, in collaboration with the Provincial GBVF Technical Committee. Together, we can do more.

Honourable Speaker,

The education of our children is wider than learning in the
classroom, that’s why we have partnered with the Department of Education to roll out the I am the Flag campaign in schools. In the previous financial year, we were able toconduct 25 flag campaigns where members of communities and school children learnt
about the country's symbols and the significance of our South African flag.

This is not only about the I am the flag campaign, it also talks to our National Symbols and our Constitution, and thus promoting the National pride, patriotism and a sense of belonging. We plan to roll out thirty (30) of these campaigns this financial year.

We are also glad to report that the Limpopo creative industry continues to receive support through our National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. In the past financial year, we have managed to support 8 creative industry projects. We will in this (2023/24)
financial year continue to support 8 creative industries.

We are also glad to announce that it is not only through financial support, but also empowerment support we offer to them. In the previous (2022/23) financial year, we commenced with the review of the Creative Industry Strategy. We are also excited that The National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has already consulted with the province in the development of the Creative Industry Masterplan, which, at completion, will go a long way in improving the Creative Industry Strategy for the province.

We are all in agreement with the creative sector, that it is time they start to be selfsustaining and be part of the job creation strategy. For this reason, we are walking every step of the way with them.

Honourable Speaker,

We are also happy to announce that in the previous financial cycle, we have supported and developed over one thousand and twenty-six (1 026) artists in the creative industry and this number will be increasing this financial year to 2 500. This number includes
visual artists, sculptures, artists with disabilities, fashionists, poets, and legends, among many others. For the current financial year, the earmarked allocation for Creative Industry Support and Promotion and Development of artists is sitting at R1.4 million and
R5.2 million respectively.

The Cultural Affairs program, Honourable Speaker takes about 14% of the total budget allocation. Included in this allocation, are costs related to Mapungubwe Arts Festival with its built-up programs as outlined earlier, Golden Shield Awards, Ku Luma Vukanyi and activities leading to the Marula festival and the procurement of flags.

Honourable Speaker,

The Department is also busy with the maintenance and profiling of our museums. The budget in this programme will also see the increment in the provision of sign language interpreters, the celebration of international translation, international mother language, Authorship workshops, Terminology Development, Literary competitions, Historic days, and the Support of Creative industry and the construction of the Provincial Theatre. As we all know, Limpopo has the most spoken languages in South Africa and the honours is on us to see to it that they are all treated equally. It therefore says the increase in budget in this programme will go a long way in fostering social cohesion and nation building in the province.

Honourable Speaker,

The upgrading of the Schoemansdal Museum is now at 93% in terms of construction. The practical completion of the museum will be in the first quarter of the current financial year. An additional budget was allocated for the design of the exhibition area.
This exhibition area's significance will allow citizens to view historical artifacts and cultural heritage with diverse cultures. This museum Honourable members, shall be officially opened during the current financial year.

Honourable Speaker, we also wish to announce here today, that as the Premier has over the years reported on the progress of the Provincial Theatre, we can now report with authority, that the design and procurement thereof is now at 60% tender  documentation finalisation. We will in this financial year complete stage four (4) of the entire planning and then commence with stage five (5), which is construction.

This is a milestone achievement for us and the Creative industry. This project's completion will come in handy to the performance industry and obviously the people of Limpopo at large. The Provincial Theatre has been allocated R10 million in the current
financial year.

Honourable members, about two weeks ago, I witnessed the talent of some of those who will be excited at the completion of the Provincial Theatre. The staging of a play called; Pienaars’ was hosted at General Piet Joubert Special School in Polokwane. In the next
few years, this should be staged at our own Theatre. The actors and actresses came from all Districts of our province. It was truly beautiful to watch.

Honourable Speaker, help me appreciate Theatre and stage activist, Precious Manaka, and Director Thabang “ Chakala’ Ramabu and their team in the house. We also appreciate the work being done by amongst others Matome Rapetsoa and Mashupje Phala who are exposing the talent of young people in the theatre industry.

Honourable Speaker,

We also wish to celebrate our Season 18 Idols super star, Thapelo Molomo, who became the last man standing at the competition. We now understand that the Idols company will unfortunately shut its curtain soon after the conclusion of its 19th edition. With that knowledge, we still welcomed Thapelo in style, and he later featured in our Mapungubwe Arts Festival.

Let's also appreciate, our home-grown artists, Makhadzi “wa vho rine”, King Monada, Master KG, Penny Penny, Benny Mayengane, Pleasure-M and many others who continue to dominate the music world, not only in South Africa, but across the globe. We
are busy grooming and supporting new young artists who will also surprise the music world.

Please also join me as we congratulate one of our own, Dr Winnie Mashaba as she celebrates 25 years in the gospel music world. Her charity and developmental music campaign is going on across the province as we speak.

We have also become synonymous with beauty pageants, when our daughter Ndavi Nokeri brought Miss South Africa crown home and went on to represent South Africa at the Miss Universe pageant in the USA last year. She joined luminaries like Bokang
Montjane and Shudufhadzo Musida who also walked and dominated the pageant in the past.

We are a Province that has not forgotten that for us to realize our objectives, the creative industry will have to play a significant role. Not only in entertainment through Mapungubwe and other festivals, but in creating job opportunities and ending the scourge
of poverty and unemployment. 

Programme 3: Library and Archives Services

Honourable Speaker,

The main objective of the Library and Archives Services is to provide library, information, and archive services in the province. We appreciate the fact that knowledge is power, and therefore we need to embark on a programme that will help us as a province to inculcate the culture of reading, writing, and learning amongst our people. This programme has been allocated a budget of two hundred and twenty-three million, two hundred and forty-three thousand rand (R223.243 million) in this (2023/24) financial year. This allocation signifies an increase of thirty-nine million, five hundred and seventy-six thousand rand (R39.576 million). This being 22% in increment from the amount of one hundred and eighty-three million, six hundred and sixty-seven thousand rand  (R183.667million) allocated in the past (2022/23) financial year.

Honourable speaker, in the previous financial year, we have managed to complete the following libraries: Seleteng, Runnymede, and Mavalane. In his state of the province address, the premier has wished that the Seleteng Library should be renamed after
illustrious author Es’kia Mphahlele. All these libraries are currently in operation and serving the respective communities.

During September 2022, we commenced with the building of four new libraries which are, Botshabelo, Vleifontein, Tshaulu and Sekhukhune (Ga-Mampane).

These libraries' construction came with challenges with community disruptions and snail movement on the side. This then resulted in the two contracts of the three libraries being discontinued. The Department and the implementing agent are in the process of
appointing new contractors to continue with the construction of the three libraries that previously experienced delays.

Meanwhile the construction of Mulamula Library is at 76 per cent completion and will be completed during the third quarter of this financial year. In the past 2022/23 financial year, we managed to upgrade and maintain 24 of our libraries across the province. In the process, we also managed to procure over 20,000 library materials, including the muchneeded books. In the current financial year, we are planning to procure 25 000 library material, considering the budget of eight million, seven hundred and fifty-nine
thousand rand (R8.759 million).

Honourable Speaker, 

In line with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), thirteen (13) libraries were provided with technology and equipment for our visually impaired readers through the South African Library for the Blind. These libraries are Polokwane, Phalaborwa,
Mogalakwena, Babirwa, Vlakfontein, Shiluvane, Nzhelele, Thulamela, Ga-Phaahla, Marble Hall, Musina (Nancefield), Alldays and Tzaneen. The plan for this financial year is to activate Lebowakgomo, Modimolle and Giyani and to launch and market the
services to ensure maximum usage.

The Library and Archives Services was allocated 36 percent of the budget as it is funded by the equitable share and conditional grant. Within the allocations an amount of one hundred and fifty-three million and five hundred and ninety-seven thousand rand
(R153.597 million) is for a conditional grant which constitutes 69 percent of the total budget for the programme.

Honourable Speaker,

It is Mark Twain who once said, and I quote; “The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who can’t read”, closed quotes.

The current budget will be directed towards the planning for construction of new libraries, maintenance, library books, provision of ICT infrastructure, free internet access to libraries, appointment of librarians, security services for all libraries and payment of
EPWP workers. A total of thirty-four million, four hundred and seventy-four (R34.474 million) has been allocated towards construction of new libraries and upgrades, whilst maintenance of libraries has been allocated a budget of four point eight million
rand (R4.800 million) in the current financial year. For this purpose, three million rand (R3.000 million) has been allocated for EPWP model under equitable share.

Honourable Speaker,

We will in this financial year complete construction of five libraries and commence with planning and design for the construction of three (3) new libraries which are Bungeni, Matlerekeng and Makhuba. We want to entrench a reading society mentality and ensure that our learners, both young and old, have available reading material. The august house and Limpopo people should also know that all our libraries are equipped with computers and free internet access. During his State of the Province Address (SOPA), the Premier highlighted the province’s approach to energy security.

Thus, the design of the new libraries going forward, will include solar-panel roofing, addressing the plans to “...encapsulate the possible retro-fitting of solar panels to all government buildings,” as the Premier added.

Honourable Speaker, a nation that does not know where it comes from, will not know where it is going. It is for that reason that we can today report to this house that we have commenced with the recording of the Oral History of our struggle stalwarts. We do this in collaboration with the Department of Defense and Military Veterans, the Office of the Premier and the Provincial Committee of Military Veterans and the different War veterans' organizations in our Province. The Department will move holistically to ramp up this programme.

Programme 4, Sports and Recreation

Honourable Speaker,

The Sport and Recreation Unit is the custodian of sport development and recreation. It is in this program that we identify, develop, and prepare talent for high level performance. Last year, the Department committed to support five hundred (500) elite athletes with scientific, medical as well as fitness and conditioning services in the following sporting codes: Baseball, Softball, Basketball, Football, Rugby, Hockey, Indoor Rowing, Paraathletics, Volleyball and Netball. I am pleased to report that all our targets have been met.

This means that there has been progress in the increment in sport participation. Two (2) focused schools were also supported through the Academy of Sport. We can also announce here today that collectively, (nine-hundred and seven) 907 hubs, schools and clubs were provided with sporting equipment and attire in the past financial year.

At the same time, we have met the target of having eleven thousand five-hundred (11 500) learners participate in school sport at District level. Of these, five-hundred and thirty (530) learners were able to reach national competitions. We are proud of these
learners who continue to raise the flag of Limpopo high at National competitions. In the current financial year, the number of learners participating in school sport at District level will increase to twenty-five thousand (25 000) and One thousand and thirty-three
1033 of these will be competing nationally.

At the same time, we reached and exceeded our target of twenty-four thousand (24 000) people participating in organized sport and active recreation. This number will increase to fifty thousand (50 000) in the current financial year. We can also report here that 205 sporting leagues were supported through the Limpopo Sport Confederation in the past financial year. The support to the leagues will continue and 233 are targeted for this financial year.

In the past financial year (2022/23) we also managed to implement the following recreational programmes : Indigenous Junior Dipapadi; National Youth Camp; Big Walk; Golden Games; and Recreational Day.

In the previous financial year, the Department was able to honour and reward best performers at the Annual Sport Awards. Among those honoured, was the first inter-racial boxing participant in 1976 at the height of the apartheid regime, James “Dynamite”
Mathato, who fought the then South African Heavyweight Boxing Champion Gerrie Coetze. “Dynamite” broke barriers as he fostered social cohesion and forced the brutal regime to notice the heart of African athletes to fight. He is 83 years old today. He fought
then, and he still fights today while leading a healthy life, and teaching young people boxing here in Lebowakgomo. Ntate Mathato is one of our guests in the gallery.

In those Awards we also awarded our Banyana Banyana stars, particularly those from Limpopo. These are, Lebogang Ramalepe, Noko Matlou, Nomvula Kgoale, Hildah Magaia and Amogelang Motau. They have indeed made us proud.

One of our rising stars is the Ladies Springbok Captain, our daughter Right Mukhari. Her success within this male dominated sport talks volume, and we commend her for representing South Africa on the world stage. A number of athletes from this province
are excelling in different sporting codes, and we will continue supporting them.

Honourable members, please join me in congratulating these winners and others. Most of these went on to dominate in the National Sport Awards held at Sun City under the auspices of the National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, a week ago. Amongst
those wearing National honours are, Dr Malumbete Ralethe, who was awarded the Lifetime Achievers’ Award, The Ncuva male Team which won the Indigenous Games Team of the Year, and our Helen Frans Special Team, which won the Developing School of the Year AWARD.

Honourable Speaker, this programme has been allocated a total budget of One hundred and four million and two hundred- and ninety-two-thousand-rand (R104.292 million) in this ( 2023/24 ) financial year, an increase from eighty-three million and seven hundred and thirty-two thousand rand (R83 732 million) from the (2022/23) financial year so that we move further to attain the set targets.

The Sport and Recreation programme takes 17% of the total allocation and is funded by both equitable share and conditional grant. The allocation includes a conditional grant funding of sixty-six million three hundred and thirty-one thousand rand (R66.331
million) which constitutes 64% of the total budget for the programme.

Both the equitable share and the conditional grant allocations will be channeled to the supporting of active recreation, persons with disabilities, provincial teams to participate in national championships, hubs and clubs, and transfer to Limpopo Academy of Sport
and Sport Confederations. This will ensure that sport hubs and clubs are functional in all Districts and are capacitated to promote sport participation in communities.

Furthermore, this allocation will ensure that learners participate in school sport programmes. Sport development is supported by Federations, School Sport Codes Committees and Indigenous Games structures for the smooth coordination and desired
professionalism across the province.

Honourable Speaker

An active nation is a healthy nation. If we become active, we reduce the number of those who frequent hospitals and assist productivity in reducing those who take sick leave. Our forebears also used traditional games to sustain themselves to live longer.

The Department will introduce the Limpopo Annual Games, commencing this financial year, wherein 11 sporting codes will be prioritised. Phase One will be hosted at the local level with the sole aim of increasing participation of people in sport at grassroot level.
We endeavor to have wards compete among themselves, while moving towards district and ultimately at the provincial level. This is a back-to-basics approach. One ward, one hub. Although it may take a few years to reach all wards- it is possible, it can be done,
and it will be done.

Honourable Speaker,

The Department has sent out a circular encouraging municipalities to apply for the Municipal Infrastructure Grant for multi-sporting codes courts. There could be more Combi-Courts built from the R10 million grant, as opposed to building one facility worth
R10 million per financial year. The municipalities will be able to cover more areas and more citizens in different sporting codes. While we have the Netball World Cup in sight, lets maximise on the microscope placed on these Combi Courts, in support of the very
World Cup.

Ladies and gentlemen, for the first time in 60 years, a female sporting code is hosting a prestigious World Cup. This is no joking matter- and we should all be proud and fully rally behind our women in July in Cape Town.

We are proud that three players are from Limpopo: Boitumelo Matlhoko; Khanyisa Chawane; and Lenise Potgieter. I therefore urge everyone in this house and the entire province to wear the South African Netball Team jerseys every Friday like we did during
the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup. The Department will be hosting the 100 days celebrations towards this World Cup event. These celebrations will take place on the 19th of April at the Ngoako Ramatlhodi Sport Complex.

In the process, just like other provinces, Limpopo will also host a trophy tour from the 09th to the 13th of June 2023. The trophy routes will be communicated in due course. In the meantime, municipalities are encouraged to identify fan-parks for the World Cup.

Honourable Speaker,

As a catalyst to increase community participation in active sport, the Department will reintroduce the annual Cancer Marathon, in conjunction with various stakeholders. This marathon to be held in October, is also a Comrades Marathon qualifier. Cancer is eating
away our society and an awareness campaign engraved in this event should go a long way in instilling the much-needed culture of healthy living.

Honourable speaker,

Limpopo continues to be the breeding ground of elite athletes in Softball code which was celebrated as the federation of the year in the Annual Sport Awards of 2022/23 financial year. In the senior national men team, Limpopo has produced eight technical officials and nine athletes who represented Africa at the Softball World Cup held in New Zealand in December 2022. This sporting code has managed to produce four technical officials and four athletes of the senior Softball women team that won the African Qualifiers held in Gaborone, Botswana from the 07th to 10th of February 2023. They will now participate at the Pre-World Cup qualifiers to be held in Valencia, Spain from the 15th to 20th July 2023.

The code continues to put Limpopo on the international map by producing four technical officials and six athletes for participation in the U23 Men’s national squad. The team has also qualified for the Inaugural World Cup to be held in Parana, Argentina from the 15th to 23th April 2023. This technical team include captain of senior national team and pitching coach of junior teams, Tidima Kekana who is currently the number one pitcher in the African Continent.

Under Schools Sport programme, Limpopo produced four athletes and two technical officials in the U18 Men team who won the African World Cup qualifiers that took place in Kampala, Uganda in January 2023. The team will also represent Africa at the World
Cup to be held in Cancun, Mexico from the 11 th to 19th November 2023.

Clustering of hubs and clubs

In an effort to maximise participation in sport and active recreation, we are taking sport back to the doorstep of our citizenry. The Department is introducing a new model of hub clustering to foster social cohesion. We will supply these hubs with sporting equipment. The roll out of this programme will commence with the Sekhukhune District in this financial year. The other districts will be included in the coming financial years. A total budget of eleven million, nine hundred- and eighty-nine-thousand-rand (R11.989 million) has been allocated for the provision of sport equipment and attire for the current financial year.

In conclusion

Honourable Speaker, and the honourable house at large. As was said earlier, this is my maiden speech and many of the achievements outlined here would not have been possible without the support one received from various people and structures both within the Department and in this house.

It is for that reason that I wish to thank my predecessor, former MEC Thandi Moraka, a formidable woman and leader within the governing party who is also the Head of the subcommittee on Arts and Culture in the ANC NEC. I wish to thank her for the work she
has done and will continue to do as we are preparing for the Netball World Cup 2023.

I wish to also acknowledge the leadership of the Head of Department, Mme Daphne Ramokgopa with her team of men and women for baptising me with fire when I was deployed here a few months ago. Believe me, I have never rested a day since then. From
the day I took office, I had been taken to all Districts, opening libraries and then Mapungubwe Arts and Culture festival. I am still on the road in the building of a socially cohesive society. Thank you very much HOD and your team.

I must also thank all the Statutory and Non-statutory bodies led by amongst others Mr Ally Polle and his team in the Sport Federations, Mr Simon Kekana and the team in the Limpopo Arts, and Culture Council (LACC), the Geographic Names Council
Chairperson Gerald Twala, among others. These bodies welcomed me warmly and started engaging me robustly. Their input is welcome. We have a duty to our nation.

Finally let me thank the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture led by a remarkable woman, Honourable Johannah Aphiri. The Portfolio Committee is like a
home, we engage every day and their monitoring process has made us what we are today.
Thank you very much honourable members.

Let me also thank my family, who have accepted that in my life as a politician and an activist, there’s no time to idle, when our people need services. Indeed, ours is a life to make our society more active, socially cohesive, and healthy.

Honourable Speaker, I humbly present the 2023/24 Budget Vote 10 of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.

I thank you