/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The Western Cape’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Sports today tabled its 2022/2023 Annual Report. This report highlights the department’s role as a key driver of the Western Cape Recovery Plan, which focuses on the province’s recovery in the areas of jobs and safety.

According to the report, there has been a renewed investment in the economy in terms of large sports, arts and culture events. The department supported 135 major events across all six districts assisting in the province’s economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic and promoting sports tourism and destination marketing. 431 EPWP job opportunities were supported and 610 job opportunities were created through arts, culture, and heritage programmes during the past financial year.

Additionally, the department was also a key implementing agent of the Provincial Safety Plan by strengthening the resilience of at-risk youth and shifting them from exposure to violence to access to opportunities. Through the expansion of after-school programmes and Youth-in-Service programmes, the department has contributed to specifically targeting the needs of at-risk youth and reducing youth unemployment. These job opportunities presented themselves in the department’s Mass Participation, Opportunity and Access, Development and Growth (MOD) and Neighbouring School Programmes. Alongside the focus on mass participation, these programmes also act as talent pools, where participants with potential in recreation, sport, arts and culture can be identified for next-level participation and opportunities.

DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Cultural Affairs and Sports Gillion Bosman says: “With yet another excellent unqualified audit outcome for the 11th consecutive year, the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sports has demonstrated its commitment to advancing the strategic priorities of the DA-run Western Cape Government in highlighting the transformative power of culture, arts, and sport in building a vibrant, inclusive, prosperous and connected society.”

Issued by Gillion Bosman - DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Cultural Affairs & Sport