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Speech at the Sondela Youth Festival
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Speeches and Media Releases
 Sports, Arts Culture

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 EASTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT

SPEECH BY THE MEC OF SPORTS, ARTS AND CULTURE MRS N BALINDLELA

AT THE SONDELA YOUTH FESTIVAL

3 NOVEMBER 1999


HOW COMMUNITIES CAN BENEFIT ECONOMICALLY FROM PROGRAMMES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS, ARTS AND CULTURE

1. INTRODUCTION:

The Eastern Cape is a predominantly rural part of South Africa. It is not enriched by mineral resources as other provinces like Gauteng and 
Northwest Province. There are few major industries which are found in our urban cities like Uitenhage, Port Elizabeth and East London. To 
be able to survive then the province relies on the abundance of its human resources. The department of Sport, Arts and Culture will make a 
meaningful contribution towards job creation and economic development of communities by engaging in the following activities:

2. CULTURAL TOURISM

Research has proved that the tourist today is more interested in the cultural environment of a country than in the holiday resorts and 
destinations. Tourism has become one of the world’s primary forms of economic activity. It can make a meaningful contribution into the aims 
and objectives of RDP, particularly the improvement of the human resources potential of all South Africans. Cultural tourism has the 
capacity to develop the diverse range of people.

It is in the light of the above that the department of Sport, Arts and Culture is bracing itself for the potential tourist who is coming to 
our province for cultural enrichment. But more important to us is the spin-offs that will come from the visit which will lead towards job 
creation and assist in the economic development of our communities.

3. INFRASTRUCTURE PROVISION

The Art Centres that were built by our Department in Queenstown, Port St Johns and Umtata; And the centre that will be built at Mdantsane, 
will be centres where our young and old, will receive training and skills development in the area of visual arts and crafts, languages and 
literature, music, and theatre and performing arts.

These centres will nurture and mould future professional performers who will be able to make a living through their natural talents. The 
province has done this in the past and will continue producing world-renowned artists.

4. FILM AND TELEVISION

Film and Television is one of the cultural industries that generate jobs in production and post production companies, casting and crewing 
agencies, equipment hiring companies, set design etc. Jobs are also created indirectly in supporting industries such as catering firms, 
hotels and the transport industry.

It is in the in the light of the above that the department, in partnership with the University of Fort Hare is working hard on the audio 
visual project which will focus on developing film and television activities in the province. Our province needs to make an intervention in 
the area. The richness of the Province in terms of natural and cultural resources makes it an ideal for the film and television industry. 
The department is committed toward the building if the capacity of the rural and urban community of the Province to enable them to make a 
living out of the film and television industry. We all know about the success of the film "ITYALA LAMAWELE", which was produced in the 
province by actor / performers who never received formal training. This is living evidence of the rich and diverse talent of our rural 
province. We have to capitalize on this strength.

5. LANGUAGES AND LITERATURE

The department has held workshops that were aimed at improving the skills of writers in our province. Writing, be it writing for the print 
media (newspapers and books) or for the electronic media (T. V and radio) brings income to individuals and groups. The department is 
committed to the production of professional writers in the Province.

Also crucial in creation of jobs is the area of translation and interpreting. The department has established a Provincial Language Council, 
which has a responsibility of ensuring equal treatment of all South African languages. The implication of this policy imperative jobs must 
be created by the Provincial government, Local government and the private sector for translation and interpreters. It is the right of all 
South Africans to be addressed in the language of their choice.

6. SPACIAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE ( S. D. I. )

The department is also participating fully in the spatial development initiative, a project that is aimed at training the communities to 
enable them play a meaningful role in cultural tourism is underway. This is an attempt at providing jobs of the wild coast area. The 
trained cultural workers will be attached to the cultural villages that are developed by the S.D.I in partnership with the department. They 
will be able to benefit from the tourism in Coffee Bay, Dwesa – Cwebe, Port St Johns and Mkhambathi game reserve.

The Cultural villages and arts centres will provide workshop space where arts and crafts artefacts will be produced. Space will also be 
provided for the sale of these artefacts in order to generate an income for our communities. In collaboration of the department Trade and 
Industry ( D. T. I ) links are also developed with the international community for markets for South Africa Crafts.

7. SPORT AND RECREATION

The Eastern Cape Province has produced many talented athletes. It is known as the Mecca of boxing. Most of the young boxers of the Province 
aspire to be professional boxers for they know the benefits accrued therefrom. Boxers like Bungu, Ncitha, Makepula to name a few make a 
living by being pugilists. They are able to assist their families and also extended families. These boxers also are able to support 
managers, trainers and other officials. Recently, with the advent of professionalism in sports like rugby, soccer, cricket and athletics 
the youth is in a better position to exploit their talents in these professional codes of sport. Examples are Makhaya Ntini (cricket), 
Khaya Malotana (rugby) and Lizanne Holmes (athletics). Thus one sees that all players regardless of race; colour or religion can make a 
living out of sport. We have seen that not only can individuals benefit materially from sport but also other people like managers, coaches, 
trainers and promoters can also eke a living out of sport.

The business sector and emerging entrepreneurs will benefit from new concepts like sport tourism. Sport tourism can bring athletes 
spectators and other family members of athletes to the Province if tournaments of National and or International Status are organised. Bad 
occupancy of hotels will thus increase. The tourist will bring revenue to the cities. Also these tourists will visit cultural villages and 
arts centres.

8. CONCLUSION

Honourable Premier and Honourable members of the House, the role of Arts and Culture in job creation and economic development cannot be 
over emphasised.

The centrality of Arts and Culture in the development of the Province should not be underestimated.



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