An Active and Winning Province through Sport and Recreation
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport and Recreation was promulgated on 25 June 2004 by the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Mr J.S. Ndebele. As the first, and only, stand-alone (Provincial) Department in South Africa, the onus has fallen onto this Department to charter the way forward, in terms of the provision of strategic and operational leadership, in order to allow South Africa to take its true place in the Global Sporting Arena.
Prior to June 2004, Sport was just a programme within the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education and, as such, received very little prominence as academic educational issues received priority status. Whilst this is quite understandable, the contribution of sport to the educational and holistic development of individuals and society was not maximized. Hence the DSR has been in the process of undergoing a fundamental paradigm shift in terms of providing a vision for sport in the province, and managing the additional responsibilities associated with the provision of quality service delivery in Sport and Recreation.
As its contribution to nation-building, the Department has adopted strategies which include, amongst others:
* Programmes that promote recreational activities as sport has always received the greater & prominence;
* Creation of partnerships with municipalities, business houses, etc, to provide basic sporting and recreational facilities;
* programmes that focus on development of coaches, leaders, volunteers and administrators;
* provision of a website and database to provide information support to all stakeholders and interested entities.
The vision of the Department has been enhanced by additional mandates such as the hosting of the SA Games in KZN; the 2010 Soccer Worldcup; the Annual Dundee Traditional Horse-riding Festival; the Dusi Canoe Marathon; etc. Such activities and programmes shall drive the Province of KZN into a position where it leads South Africa in sporting excellence and achievement.
Structure
The Department currently comprises of Head Office and four regions namely Ethekwini, Ukhahlamba, Umgungundlovu and Zululand.
View Departmental Structure
Core Functions
The core functions of the Kwazulu-Natal Department of Sport and Recreation are:
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Provision and improvement of sporting facilities for the disadvantaged communities in particular;
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Facilitation and management of sport and recreation groupings;
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Ensuring sustainable capacity-building development programmes in sport and recreation;
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Implementation of mass participation programmes;
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Implementation of junior sport programmes;
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Provision of financial assistance to sport and recreation entities for sports development and events;
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Facilitation of preparation of elite athletes through programmes of the Provincial Academy of Sport;
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Facilitation of programmes and events that address awareness of HIV/AIDS and moral regeneration;
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Facilitation of the processes of involving the enemployed, youth, women and the disabled by creating employment through poverty-alleviation programmes;
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Development of formal liaisons with Local Government to facilitate the provision of sports facilities;
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Ensuring that capacity-development programmes in facility management and community consultation;
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Promotion of awareness of identified indigenous games;
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Facilitation and management of the Indigenous Games Festivals.
