Media Statement: Libraries, Culture and Sport prioritised in DCAS 2018/19 Budget | Western Cape Government

News

Media Statement: Libraries, Culture and Sport prioritised in DCAS 2018/19 Budget

28 March 2018

On 27 March 2018 Western Cape Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Anroux Marais delivered the Department’s 2018/19 Budget Vote Speech in the Western Cape Provincial Parliament.

Minister Marais elaborated on how the Department will use the appropriated R760.7 million to enable a socially inclusive, creative, active and connected Western Cape.

The Budget Vote Speech embodies the Department’s commitment to responding to the needs of the communities we serve and highlights the instrumental role the Department has to play in nation building, inspiring hope and in the holistic development of the individual through sport and cultural affairs.

Highlights include:

  • With the biggest public library service of all the provinces by far, Library and Archive Services are allocated R349.6 million to promote, develop and transform sustainable library, information and archive services. Our 371 library centres account for more than 20% of all public libraries in the country.
  • Cultural diversity can be protected and promoted only if human rights and fundamental freedoms are respected. These include freedom of expression, information and communication, as well as the ability of individuals to choose cultural expressions. Programme 2: Cultural Affairs is central towards achieving these goals, and is therefore allocated R111.9 million.
  • Sport and recreation contributes to the social inclusion of our diverse population. It is for this reason that R185.5 million is dedicated to Programme 4: Sport and Recreation to further promote sport in order to contribute towards the reconciliation and development of the Western Cape community through the provision of equitable, accessible and affordable sport facilities, programmes and services.

The Budget Vote Speech is available online for ease of reference.

Media Enquiries: 

Stacy McLean
Spokesperson for Minister Anroux Marais
Email: Stacy.McLean@westerncape.gov.za
Tel: 021 483 4426
Cell: 083 504 117