Latest news with #DSAC
The South African
11-07-2025
- Politics
- The South African
Gayton McKenzie welcomes Caster Semenya ruling
Gayton McKenzie has expressed his support for this week's ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) involving Caster Semenya. Image: SASCOC Home » Gayton McKenzie welcomes Caster Semenya ruling Gayton McKenzie has expressed his support for this week's ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) involving Caster Semenya. Image: SASCOC Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has expressed his support for the recent ruling by the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) involving Caster Semenya. This ruling upheld a 2023 decision by the ECHR's lower chamber, which found that Semenya was denied a fair and effective hearing by the Swiss Federal Tribunal. This was part of the two-time Olympic champion's seven-year legal battle against the eligibility rules in track and field. On Thursday, the court's 17-judge panel ruled in a 15-2 vote that Semenya's rights to a fair hearing were violated at Switzerland's Supreme Court, where she had appealed a decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in favour of World Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) believes that the decision marks a critical moment in the long-standing battle for the dignity and human rights of female athletes with differences of sexual development.'Caster, we as South Africa have always stood by you, and we will continue to do so as the fight for your bodily rights continues,' the Minister said. From the outset, the department said the South African government stood firmly behind Semenya. 'Through the current DSAC and the former Department of Sport and Recreation, a coordinated and multi-sectoral response was established that included expert panels in the legal, medical, and advocacy spheres. 'The department also launched the #NaturallySuperior campaign to mobilise public awareness and international solidarity, highlighting that Semenya's natural talents should be celebrated rather than policed.' DSAC committed financially in support of Athletics South Africa's legal efforts with Semenya and further engaged with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to elevate the matter internationally, leading to a strong resolution on the matter at the United Nations Human Rights Council.'This resolution condemned the current regulations against her as a violation of bodily integrity, equality, and freedom from cruel or degrading treatment.'While the recent ruling has not overturned these discriminatory regulations, it is an important legal and moral victory, which opens new legal avenues and affirms the right of athletes such as Semenya to be heard on just and equal terms. DSAC said it will continue working with Athletics South Africa, legal experts, and other African governments and federations to pursue justice through all available channels, including within the structures of World Athletics.'Caster Semenya has become the face of defiance against injustice in global sport, and this court victory is a victory for every African child. South Africa is proud of her, and we will walk every step of this journey with you, Caster, until justice is not only seen, but felt,' said McKenzie. 'We can't wait to see you running again,' he added. Meanwhile, the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) said they have noted the judgment handed down by the ECHR. 'The Commission is still studying the judgment. A formal statement on our position will be released in due course,' the statement read. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
08-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
R250 million allocated to enhance school sports programmes in South Africa
Challenges facing support for school sport came under discussion at the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture. Here, Bergsig Primary School's Thylo Hartzenberg looks to slip through the gap during his school's Youth Day 7s clash against Mimosa. Image: Fuad Esack Two hundred and fifty million rand has been allocated to school sports programmes in the country despite the challenges the programme faces. On Tuesday, the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture received a briefing from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) and the Department of Basic Education (DBE) on the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to integrate sports and cultural activities into the school curriculum across the country. Khumalo, Acting Director General DSAC stated that challenges in the joint implementation of the school sport programme include Inadequate sport infrastructure in schools in previously disadvantaged communities. She said this limits participation and with the support of the DBE, they can unlock the resources to build more infrastructure in schools. Other challenges include: Inadequate funding: Annually, DSAC commits over R220m through the Conditional Grant for the School Sport Programme and there are competing funding priorities for the voted funds or norms and standards. Stakeholder management and cooperation: The programme depends largely on the smooth cooperation among stakeholders. However other stakeholders have used the school sport programme for their own agenda. Dual mandate of delivering school sport and uneven support and capacity Duplication of programmes with federations: Despite the limited resources, there are duplications of the same programmes with the federations and government-led school sport programme, resulting in misalignment. Khumalo said they were one year into the implementation of the MoU and called for more oversight to be conducted, something the departments needed to revisit. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Eugene Mthethwa, an EFF MP, exposed the department's failure to translate policies into tangible programmes that create long-term careers in arts and culture. He critiques the over-reliance on events, workshops, and camps, which offer no real qualifications or pathways into higher education and employment. Dr Patricia Watson, DBE Chief Director for Care and Support in School stated that the school sports and enrichment programme at DBE is a flag ship of their enrichment space and that their collaboration with the DSAC is invaluable because it is through a collective effort and collective areas of expertise that they are able to deliver programs at the school level. Joseph McGluwa, the committee Chairperson, was concerned about the lack of explanation on key performance indicators (KPI). He encouraged members to go through the MoU thoroughly because there are many questions that one can ask. 'Transversal tenders were huge in the country and a three year contract in some cases were too long. If we could participate in economic participation and give small entrepreneurs an opportunity. We also still find that children from disadvantaged communities cannot get help to attend sporting events because they do not have the money,' he said.
IOL News
02-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Sports department rubbishes Gayton McKenzie's alleged bias against Cape Town's F1 bid team
They said the BSC was 'vague' about stipulations around the deposit. In order to bid to host the F1, each group had to submit an application motivating their location as well as making a deposit of R10 million. CTGPSA wanted to pay the deposit with a promissory note, which is a legal document outlining their intended loan repayment structure. CTGPSA also raised concerns about the BSC's handling of the R10 million deposit, which was part of the bid application process. Cape Town has proposed a street-style circuit, similar to that of Monaco. CTGPSA, this week, suggested that the Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie acted in the best interests of Kyalami's F1 bid and labelled the Bid Steering Committee (BSC) as a biased group, who also acted in Kyalami's interests. The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture ( DSAC) has called the allegations made by the Cape Town Grand Prix SA (CTGPSA) team as 'utterly baseless'. 'On 7 December 2024, Gayton McKenzie stated 'the race is going to happen at Kyalami' and this was before announcing the BSC, looking at other bids or doing economic assessments. The fact that minister McKenzie appointed the BSC cannot just be overlooked as trivial, especially given how things played out after this. 'Then, when the bid document was put out, we were given fewer than 10 days to submit our entire proposal, including a R10 million deposit – a bid to host a major global sporting event. Only after we pushed for an extension to encourage a fair process did an extension emerge. 'We respect the BSC and minister McKenzie and we want to work with them. But as a proudly South African bid, we hold fairness, accountability and a legacy for our country in high regard. We believe our plan offers the best shot at a successful, long-term F1 future on the African continent,' CTGPSA said. The group questioned how the BSC used the R10 million deposit, what triggered a refund, the timeframe of the refund, whether or not the funds would be held in an interest bearing account and if there was an audit trail. 'We feel alternative submissions received to be more comprehensive, viable and suited for the purpose,' was the response CTGPSA said it got from the BSC, which raised even more concerns. 'A payment of a deposit of R10 million to support an open bid submission should NOT be the determining factor as to whether a bid is considered or not, particularly when it does not make any changes to the economics of a bid." Stacey-Lee Khojane, spokesperson for the DSAC refuted CTGPSA's claims and said that all bids were judged fairly. 'The bid process was open to anyone who wished to submit a bid. All of the bids were judged fairly and objectively by the BSC. The minister was not a part of that process. Their allegations are utterly and totally baseless,' Khojane added. The BSC has acknowledged CTGPSA's remarks, but have not yet respond to Independent Media's enquiries about the allegations.
TimesLIVE
19-06-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Star-studded line-up of performers for Durban July Ballito Experience 2025
The department of sport, arts and culture (DSAC) together with Enterprise iLembe are setting the stage for one of the most exciting cultural and tourism events in KwaZulu-Natal's iLembe district. Durban July Ballito Experience 2025 will kick off on July 4 at Umhlali Country Club with the Presidential Golf Day and business networking. This will be followed by a networking marquee at the Durban July in Greyville on Saturday July 5 and an invitation-only concert on July 6 featuring artists such as Nomfundo Moh, Msizi Shembe, Tbose, Ismail Abrahams, DJ Young, and DJ Muntu. Nkosenhle Mngadi, chair of Enterprise iLembe KZN, emphasised the strategic importance of extending the economic and cultural benefits of the renowned Durban July to the iLembe district through this event. 'This is more than a celebration — it is an investment programme, an economic networking platform, a branding opportunity for our district and a movement to unlock inclusive participation for creatives, transport operators, tourism businesses and SMMEs,' said Mngadi. 'Let this be the beginning of a powerful movement — one that brings pride, prosperity and sustainable opportunity to the people of iLembe.'
The Star
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Final call for entries: NACA awards 2025: Celebrating the bold, the brilliant and the best in SA creativity
The countdown is on. With the closing date of June 20 fast approaching, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) is making one last call to South Africa's creative community — artists, industry bodies, and cultural organisations — to submit their most outstanding work for the National Arts & Culture Awards (NACA) 2025. Now in its second year, the NACA Awards, previously known as the Cultural and Creative Industry Awards, shine a national spotlight on the creators, innovators, and visionaries who push boundaries and shape our cultural identity. Whether you're a filmmaker, dancer, designer, curator, musician, writer, or performer — this is your stage. 'The NACA Awards are more than recognition, they are a reflection of who we are as a people. We urge the sector to submit their finest work, not just to compete, but to inspire. Share your most thoughtful, impactful, and meaningful creations — works that capture the spirit of our nation and contribute to South Africa's creative landscape. If you've been waiting for the right moment, this is your time to share your brilliance with the country,' said the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Award Categories: Submissions are open across six exciting categories, with 30 awards to be issued. These include: Heritage Sites Visual Arts & Crafts Literary Works Audio Visual & Interactive Media Design & Creative Services Performing Arts In addition, the Ministerial (Discretionary) Awards will be conferred at the Minister's discretion and do not require nominations. Key Eligibility Highlights: Open to South African citizens, permanent residents, and locally owned entities ● Works must be professional and have been created or released between April 1, 2024 and 31 March 2025 Entries must be submitted online at Each submission should include all required documentation and media samples. Incomplete entries will not be considered. Let your work be seen. Let your voice be heard. Let your creativity be celebrated.
