![Mr Gert Bam (CocT) and Ms Sharon Siljeur (Western Cape Sports Confederation) chat to Mr Neville Wolmarans (George Municipality). Mr Gert Bam (CocT) and Ms Sharon Siljeur (Western Cape Sports Confederation) chat to Mr Neville Wolmarans (George Municipality).](https://www.westerncape.gov.za/sites/www.westerncape.gov.za/files/mr_gert_bam_coct_ms_sharon_siljeur_western_cape_sports_confederation_engage_with_mr_neville_wolmarans_george_municipality.jpg)
What role can municipalities in the Western Cape play in developing an active and winning nation? How can the three spheres of government work together to achieve the objectives of the National Sport and Recreation Plan (NSRP)? How can funding best be utilised in order to create an enabling environment for sport and recreation at municipal level?
These key questions were raised at the 2013 Western Cape Municipal Sport and Recreation Indaba on 22 and 23 July 2013. The event was co-hosted in Somerset West by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) and the City of Cape Town (CoCT).
The Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport Dr Ivan Meyer spoke about the importance of good partnerships between provincial and local government. He said municipalities should:
Mr Gert Bam of the CoCT added that municipalities should ensure that, where sport facilities are subject to leases, agreements with leaseholders provide access for all residents. He said provincial governments and municipalities should support equitable access by conducting a comprehensive audit of facility leases currently in force.
Municipalities spoke about best practice and making the best of available opportunities. Participants engaged with the speakers in plenary and with each other in small groups.
Advocate Lyndon Bouah of DCAS emphasised the importance of recognising the NSRP as the sport plan for South Africa. He encouraged municipalities to take special note that the plan’s vision of Active Nation, Winning Nation applies to everyone.
This Indada showed that partners can work better together to ensure the promotion of sport and recreation at local level and equitable access for all.
Daniel Johnson
Spokesperson for the Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport
Tel: 021 483 3261
E-mail: Daniel.Johnson@westerncape.gov.za