MEC Dugmore begins to Reposition Cultural Affairs and Sport

Speaking after a two day strategy and planning retreat with the senior management of the department, MEC Dugmore announced the appointment of a new acting Head of Department, Mr Brent Walters, who is on loan from the Department of the Premier.

Said MEC Dugmore: "The appointment of the experienced and highly capable Brent Walters as Acting HOD, demonstrates government's determination to improve service delivery in a department that has a critical role to play in building social cohesion in the Western Cape. But it is clear that more secondment and support will be needed.

"The previous two days was the first opportunity for me and Mr Walters to meet with the senior management of the department.

"I believe there is massive potential for the arts, culture and creative industries to boost the economy of the Western Cape and provide increased opportunities for job creation and growth.

"The two day session was the first step towards repositioning the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) and we focused on Cabinet deliverables and other departmental projects that would be driven over the next eight months. These deliverables will be further explored at the forthcoming Cabinet Lekgotla."

Some of the topics covered by the meeting were the following:

• Decision was made to support the increase of enrolment of learners at the Kuilsriver Sport School, from about 250 to 300 by January 2009.
• The department is satisfied that the building of the Green Point stadium; and the upgrading of the Philippi stadium are on track.
• MEC Dugmore will soon announce details of a mass community mobilisation campaign around Soccer World Cup 2010.
• Department to explore expanded public works campaign to promote multi-lingualism in the province. In this regard the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has already produced a manual for teaching conversational Xhosa, and is in the process of producing Afrikaans books.
• DCAS will survey the possible setting up of International Languages Centres in each district municipality and in the metropole, to provide access to foreign languages, such as German, Mandarin, French, Spanish and kiSwahili.
• MEC Dugmore will soon announce details of the launch and popularization of the Western Cape Schools Songbook after consultation with the new Education MEC.
• Decision was taken that schools sport needs a drastic revamp, and MEC Dugmore will later elaborate on this.

For enquiries
Gert Witbooi:
082 528 8278, or gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.za.

Media Liaison Officer
Office MEC for Cultural Affairs and Sport
Western Cape
Tel: 021 483 9804

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