Cultural Affairs and Sport
(a) What are the reasons for her Department not providing funding to the Western Cape Sports School for the 2020/21 financial year and (b) what is her Department’s involvement with the Western Cape Sports School?
What are the reasons for her Department not providing funding to the Western Cape Sports School for the 2020/21 financial year?
The Western Cape Sport School (WCSS) has been classified by the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) as a public ordinary school, with an additional focus in sport. Financial support ended through a phased - out approach, when the national Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), previously the national department of Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA), shifted the Sport Focus School Programme from the School Sport Programme, effective 01 April 2019. The Sport Focus School Programme was shifted to be aligned to the Academy Programme.
Although funds were allocated in the 2020/21 financial year, to support sport focus schools in the Western Cape Province this was greatly reduced, as per the reduced allocated Conditional Grant Funding received from DSAC, which is shared amongst the ten (10) focus schools established in the province.
DCAS, in partnership with DSAC, has dedicated the allocated ring – fenced funding to the schools which includes the Western Cape Sports School. The standard requirement in order for an allocation of funding, is for the school to provide an annual sport plan in order the allocation of funds to take place. The Western Cape Sports School has not been able to meet the requirement and as a result did not qualify for the funding allocation.
2. What is the involvement of DCAS with the Western Cape Sport School?
Response:
The WCSS remains part of the Sport Focus School Programme, as supported by
DSAC and DCAS. DCAS provides a link with the relevant sport federation structures, for the school to link with the said structures. The school has access to opportunities for accredited training in sport, for educators and volunteers linked to the school. Furthermore, DCAS hires accommodation and playing facilities at the school, in order to facilitate training and other sport activities, as well as Indigenous Games activities. In this way, the school can generate an additional income stream.
