PRESENTATION ON SIYADLALA MASS PARTICIPATION PROGRAMME CONDITIONAL GRANT BY: KZN MEC SPORT AND RECREATION

EXCECUTIVE SUMMARY  The Mass Participation programme was first introduced in KwaZulu- Natal in 2004/2005 financial year.  The budget was 1 million. It increased to R2.640 million in 2006/2007. The budget increased substantially to R10.7 million for 2006/2007, the biggest portion nationally.  The number of hubs has been increased rapidly from 4 in 2004/2005 to 40 in 2006/2007.  Activities available to communities has also increased from five activities to over ten, and also has the number of trained volunteers.  The number of people benefiting also improved reaching over in 2005/2006.  Despite many challenges such as lack of facilities in rural areas, the programme is successful in getting the province to play.

MANAGEMENT AND STAFFING  The Siyadlala is managed by the office of the Director Recreation.  It provincial coordinator deals with operational matters assisted by an administration assistant.  Full time regional coordinators employed by the department ensure the smooth running of the hubs.  These are currently 20 hubs managed by 20 hub coordinators who are assisted by activity coordinators in presenting daily and weekly activities.  There are initially 90 people running the hubs, 24 have left mainly to pursue better career opportunities.  Hubs operate weekly, most of the activities are presented at least three times a week.  A stipend of R1 200 is paid to activity coordinators and R1 800 to hub coordinators.

COOPERATIVE GOVERNANCE  All hubs were identified through local municipalities, using poverty ratings.  The following areas benefited in 2005/2006: KwaMashu, Machibisa, eMalangeni, Sibongile, Steadville, eBukhalini, iNgwavuma,eSikhawini.  Municipalities play a key role in giving support to the programme by providing facilities, rural support and mobilising communities.  Federations are also key to the programme by providing training to the activity coordinators, monitoring and mentoring. There are, however, still a few municipalities who do not see the programme as a priority. Some federations also view the programme as a “government thing”.

TRAINING  A total of 90 activity leaders were trained in 2005/2006. they were trained in Basic first aid by St John Ambulance, Basic sport and recreation administration and Specific code/activity training.  They were trained to run the following activities: Rugby, Netball, Soccer, Swimming, Indigenous games, Basketball, Volleyball, Handball, Aerobics, Gymnastics, Athletics.  Training was presented by accredited/recognised federations and organisations.

EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES  All hubs received their equipment for various codes/activities during later part of The code activities are those listed under training.  Appropriate facilities are still a major challenge in rural areas.  Equipment is safely stored in community institutions such as schools.

COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND PARTICIPATION  All hub activity leaders were identified and selected in conjunction with community leaders.  Seven of the nine DORA hubs funded their hubs in Twenty increase community awareness and participation.  The community has access to hubs on a daily and weekly basis.  Approximately people participated in the hubs during the 2005/2006 financial year. This is four times more than the set national target for KwaZulu-Natal.  Those who participated could be structured as follows: 70% youth, 20% women, 5% elderly, 5% disabled.  There were many community members who showed willing to participate but never took part because of various reasons such as lack of time, aggressive marketing of the programme could result in more people participating.

SUCCESS STORIES Some of the key success stories of the programme include:  Some of the hub activity leaders played a key role in managing the recent S.A. games. Some were involved in organising KwaNaloga games.  Some of the participants from KwaMashu hub swimming classes have been selected to participate in Provincial swimming championships.  Hub coordinators and hub activity leaders are now employed on full time basis by the Provincial Dept of sport and recreation and other organisations.

KEY CONSTRAINTS/CHALLENGES  Lack of appropriate facilities in rural areas.  Lack of prioritisation of sport and recreation services by some municipalities.  Some sports federations view the programme as government initiative, rather that a collective programme to facilitate development and transformation.  Legal status of activity coordinators.  Lack of office space for hubs to ensure proper administration and storage of equipment.

FUTURE  KZN received a total of R10.7 million for 2006/2007.  This amount will enable the province to create 20 new hubs, in total there will be 40 hubs for 2006/2007 financial year.  Close cooperation with local government and sport federations.  Mass participation will be treated as a priority programme by the province.