Recreation Study

Previously, Mass Participation Programmes (MPP) werelaunched in 2005 to facilitate access to sport and recreationfor as many South Africans as possible, especiallythose from historically disadvantaged communities. In theWestern Cape, it is driven by 45 hubs, which are spreadacross the province. 36 The highlight of these programmesis the June/July Winter Indigenous Games and theSummer Games which take place during the Decemberholidays. The Siyadladla Mass Participation Programme(SMPP) has been particularly successful and is known asthe cradle of community sport in South Africa. 374.2.2 Provincial policiesSimilar to the national policies mentioned in the previouspages, there are some provincial policies relating tosports and recreation, but few that focus on recreationitself. These provincial documents include:• Constitution of the Western Cape of 1998.• Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs andSport (DCAS), Strategic Plan 2005/06-2009/10.• Memorandum of Agreement for School Sport.These documents make specific reference to providingsport and recreation for children. The Constitution of theWestern Cape (1998) clearly states that the Western Capegovernment should protect and promote the interest ofchildren in the Western Cape, in particular with regardsto: a) Health services; b) Education; c) Welfare services; d)Recreation and amenities, and e) Sport. 38The DCAS states that the role of the Provincial Departmentof Sport and Recreation in the Western Cape is toensure that the promotion of sport and recreation in theWestern Cape is consistent with the guidelines outlinedby national and provincial policies. Beyond this role, theDCAS does not appear to provide any indication of howrecreation should be promoted on a provincial level.• Assisting with the development of educators withregard to School Sport-related opportunities.The Memorandum also says that the DCAS should assistwith the promotion and organisation of mass participationevents and/or activities in and for schools, uponrequest. Similarly, the WCED should create a safe andsecure environment for mass participation in schoolsport activities.4.3 SPORT AND RECREATION IN THE CITYOF CAPE TOWNAs with provincial statistics, current levels of participationin Cape Town are not readily available. However, asocio-economic survey was conducted in 2005 in theareas of Mitchell’s Plain and Khayelitsha, which revealedthat 72% of the respondents in Khayelitsha felt thatrecreational facilities are the least accessible facility intheir community. In Mitchell’s Plain, 19% of the respondentsrated recreational facilities in their community asdissatisfactory. 394.3.1 City policiesSimilar to the national and provincial policies on sportand recreation, few City policies appear to discuss recreationon its own or how to increase participation levelsspecifically. However, the City of Cape Town’s Sport andRecreation Policy views sport and recreation as a “vitaldevelopmental tool to maximise social developmentthrough the provision of facilities and programmes.” Itaims to use sport and recreation to help address thesocial needs of all members of society, especially that ofyouth, women, children, the disabled and other marginalisedgroups within communities.” 40In the Memorandum of Agreement for School Sport, itstates that there should be cooperation between theDCAS and schools in the following ways:• Establishing a working relationship in order topromote and enhance school sport in the WesternCape Province.• Creating an environment for mass participation andgood governance.• Developing and supporting young talent throughthe provision of high performance services.FIGURE 19: KIDDIE RACE AT RECREATION FEST IN MITCHELLS PLAIN (SOURCE: SRA)28 CITY OF CAPE TOWN RECREATION STUDY