Sport and Basic Education Ministries Sign MoU to Transform Access to Sports and Arts in Schools

The Minister emphasized that the agreement is crucial for unlocking talent and driving transformation in both the sports and arts sectors.

Sport, Arts, and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has expressed his enthusiasm following the signing of a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube on Wednesday. This partnership aims to significantly improve access to sports and cultural programs in schools, ensuring that all children, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to excel in sports and the arts.

McKenzie described the MoU as a major step forward in the Government of National Unity’s (GNU) commitment to provide equal access to opportunities for young people, particularly in rural, township, and underprivileged areas. The agreement follows the 2023 School Sport Indaba, where stakeholders discussed the development of grassroots school sports across South Africa.

The Minister emphasized that the agreement is crucial for unlocking talent and driving transformation in both the sports and arts sectors. "The key to transforming South African sport is to ensure that schools from townships to rural areas and less fortunate communities gain access to facilities, coaching, and equipment," McKenzie stated. He also noted that relying primarily on private schools for national team talent does not fully reflect the potential of the country.

The MoU creates a framework for collaboration between the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture to implement extracurricular programs, including school sports initiatives, nationwide. One of its key goals is to build shared facilities that can serve multiple schools.

McKenzie also called on all sectors of society—government, private businesses, NGOs, and civil society—to get involved in leveling the playing fields for young South Africans and ensuring that those playing fields exist.

“This program is an important first step in the right direction,” McKenzie said, reaffirming his commitment to Project 300, which aims to send 300 athletes to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. "We won’t achieve that goal without continuing to discover talents like Bayanda Walaza in our schools."

Highlighting the importance of collaboration, McKenzie said the MoU exemplifies the unity within the GNU. He expressed confidence that the government, under President Cyril Ramaphosa’s leadership, will transform South Africa for the better in the coming years.