Cultural Affairs and Sport
- What is the total budget allocated to the Western Cape School Sport Strategy over the next three years, (b) how many schools are (i) expected to participate in the pro-grammes that fall under the Western Cape School Sport Strategy and (ii) currently participating in structured school sport programmes supported by his Department, (c) which sporting codes are included in this strategy and (d) how many learners are expected to benefit from the programmes in the province, (e)(i) how will this strategy ensure access to sporting opportunities for learners in high-risk areas and (ii) which districts have been identified as priority areas for its implementation, (f) what partner-ships have been established to support the implementation of this strategy, (g) how does this strategy align with the Western Cape Government’s Safety Plan and (h) what measur-able outcomes are expected in terms of youth engagement and violence prevention?
- The total indicative allocation for the Western Cape School Sport Strategy over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework is R130 000 000 distributed as follows:
2026/27: R55 000 000
2027/28: R45 000 000
2028/29: R30 000 000.
- (i) The Strategy targets participation of 60% of schools across at least three sport codes per district by December 2027, increasing to 80% of schools across at least six sport codes per district by 2029. In addition, 624 low-fee and no-fee public schools will receive equipment support over the three-year period.
(ii) Current participation is being refined through a province-wide baseline verification process. However, existing structured school sport programmes supported by the Department have already reached over 150 000 learners at district level, with equipment support historically extended to more than 300 schools annually.
- The Strategy includes 16 priority codes, namely: Aquatics, Athletics, Baseball, Basketball, Chess, Cricket, Football, Goalball, Gymnastics, Hockey, Netball, Rugby, Softball, Table Tennis, Tennis and Volleyball. In addition, Indigenous Games such as kgati, kho-kho, jukskei and morabaraba are promoted.
- The Strategy is designed to benefit learners at scale across all districts. Current delivery reflects participation of over 150 000 learners at district level, with additional progression through provincial and national competitions. Over the implementation period, the Strategy will expand access through increased school participation, equipment provision to 624 schools, and structured pathways enabling 500 to 650 learners annually to progress to national representation.
- (i) Access for learners in high-risk and under-served areas is enabled through:
- targeted investment in quintile 1 to 3 and rural schools;
- equipment provision to low-fee and no-fee schools;
- development of shared, safe sport facilities;
- proximity-based league structures to reduce travel barriers;
- pilot transport support models in rural areas;
- inclusive programming for girls and learners with disabilities; and
- strengthened district-level coordination and monitoring.
(ii) The Strategy is implemented across all eight education districts. Priority focus is placed on high-risk, rural and under-served communities, informed by district readiness assessments, infrastructure audits and participation gaps.
- Implementation is supported through a Managed Network Model, with key partners including:
- Western Cape Education Department;
- Sport federations;
- Municipalities;
- Western Cape Provincial Sport Confederation
- Non-governmental organisations and civil society;
- Private sector partners; and
- Community-based organisations.
The Strategy targets the formalisation of 10 strategic partnerships by 2027, expanding to 40 active partnerships by 2029.
- The Strategy aligns with the Western Cape Government’s Safety Plan by positioning school sport as a structured, supervised after-school intervention that:
- provides safe spaces during high-risk hours;
- strengthens protective factors such as resilience, discipline and belonging;
- promotes social cohesion; and
- reduces exposure to crime and violence.
This contributes directly to the Provincial Strategic Plan priorities of safer communities and improved youth well-being.
- Key measurable outcomes include:
- strengthened governance structures across all districts by 2026;
- training of 300 educators by 2027;
- equipment provision to 624 schools over three years;
- achievement of 60% school participation by 2027;
- establishment of talent development pathways in at least four districts;
- implementation of transport pilots reducing participation barriers by 30% in targeted areas; and
- implementation of a province-wide monitoring and evaluation system,
- including digital dashboards and biannual reporting.
These outcomes are expected to increase structured youth engagement, strengthen community cohesion, and contribute to the reduction of violence by addressing risk factors associated with unstructured after-school time.
