Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport Budget Speech 2012

Honourable Speaker, Premier, Cabinet Colleagues and Deputy Speaker, Leader of the official opposition, Honourable members and councillors, Presidents of the various sport federations, Managers of cultural and sport organisations, Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon and welcome to Vote 13: Cultural Affairs and Sport,

Speaker, the strategic mandate of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport is to build and promote a socially inclusive Western Cape. Our endeavours to do so, however, are currently under severe attack from the National Government. The proposed Use of Official Languages Bill as well as the proposed Protection of State Information Bill pose a serious threat to the strides that we have made towards building an open, transparent, inclusive society in which diversity and multilingualism are nurtured and valued as national assets. The Western Cape Government and I, as the responsible minister, have responded to these threats by informing the relevant authorities that we will act decisively to ensure that the rights of all the citizens of not only the Western Cape, but also South Africa, are protected as enshrined in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

The key mandates of this department, which include amongst others, language and archives, are captured in Schedules 4 and 5 of the Constitution and we will not allow the competencies that have been allocated to our province to be eroded away by the national government and in the process diminish the rights of citizens. Today's budget is therefore also aimed at mitigating attempts to undermine the provincial competencies accorded to provinces by the Constitution and to enhance our resolve to build a socially inclusive Western Cape.

During her State of the Province Address, Premier Helen Zille outlined plans of the Western Cape Government to reduce poverty and underdevelopment. On 1 March 2012, Minister Winde tabled the Provincial Budget and indicated how this government, through its budget of R40 billion, will reduce poverty and promote conditions for social inclusion.

During 2011/2012, the Western Cape Cabinet approved the comprehensive after-school programme. This programme is based on our Social Policy Framework and our Strategic Objective: Promoting Social Inclusion.

Social problems are multi-faceted and complex, requiring a comprehensive and holistic approach. Our analysis indicates that social dysfunction and disintegration are primary drivers of anti-social behaviour.

The Western Cape Government is targeting the youth, especially primary and high school learners, through the comprehensive after-school programme. Our research also indicates that school-going children are most vulnerable for anti-social behaviour between the hours of 14:00 and 18:00. This is expected, since in poorer communities children are often without supervision and are primary targets for anti-social behaviour such as crime, drug abuse and teenage pregnancies. It is for this reason that the Western Cape Government has, through a transversal public management model, brought all the key roleplayers together in designing the comprehensive after-school programme at our MOD centres.

The after-school programme, also known as MOD centres, are firstly placed in poor communities with high levels of social dysfunction to give learners an opportunity and an alternative to break the cycle of social disintegration. The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport together with our partners, the departments of Education, Social Development and Community Safety, offer an after-school sport and cultural programme between 14:00 and 18:00. With the assistance of coaches and coordinators, learners are engaged in constructive activities after school, thereby reducing the risk of exposure to anti-social behaviour.

These MODS centres have four primary objectives:

• Firstly, to give children an opportunity to have fun. Having fun is part of the make-up of any child.
• Secondly, the facilitators and coaches identify talent (talent identification).
• Thirdly, to reduce the risks of anti-social behavior.
• Fourthly, to improve discipline and learning outcomes of learners.

What became evident in the short space of time is that MOD centres work extremely well when:

• We have competent and energetic coordinators and coaches.
• We create an atmosphere of fun and excitement.
• We have a sustainable (every day) programme.
• We have a dedicated and committed principal and supporting teachers.
• We have volunteers offering help under supervision of the coordinators.
• We set weekly targets and monitor the progress systematically.
• We link nutrition to the programme.

Since many of our MOD centres are in the infant phase, we are modifying and adapting during the experiences as no one has the full understanding of how best to do things. It is our intention to achieve the following outcomes, over time: (a) Improved school discipline (Education). (b) Improved learning outcomes (Education). (c) Increased school attendance (Education). (d) Reduced crime and youth at risk (Police). (e) Reduced teenage pregnancy (Social Development). (f) Increased mass participation (Sport and Culture). (g) Improved healthy lifestyles (Health). (h) Reduced substance abuse (Social Development).

By using a multi-disciplinary approach, the Western Cape Government is now slowly changing the social discourse by offering practical solutions to real social problems, using evidence-based practice, creativity and innovation. This is fascinating stuff and by no way complete; it is just the beginning en route to a new trajectory. Over time, we will see the difference in more places as a result of our comprehensive after-school programme.

Today, we have in the House the principals of Lavender Hill High School, Mr Manie, Mrs Classen from Hillwood Primary School, Ms Qomoyi from isiKhokela Primary School from Makaza in Khayelitsha and Mr Tim, acting principal of De Tuynen Primary School in Worcester. All of these principals are actively encouraging the learners to participate in the activities at the MOD centres and therefore act as a positive catalyst and as motivators of social change. Today, I want to thank you and scores of other educators for your positive and inspirational leadership to make the MOD centres a success. We are proud of you and your staff, because we firmly believe that we are better together. During our recent visit to Lavender Hill both the principals informed the Premier of the success of the MOD centres. Her immediate response was: how do we sustain this project and how do we monitor the success? My department is now in the process of developing a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system, which will be launched in the near future.

Our next phase is to get the parents more involved in the educational and sporting activities of their children. Minister Grant has recently made proposals at the Human Development Sector Committee of Cabinet (HDSC) on how to achieve this and we will collaborate with Education to create and optimise opportunities at the MOD centres for increased parent involvement.

Speaker, 14-year-old Chevonne Mentoor of Lavender Hill lives with her unemployed parents and five siblings in Montague Village. She started with the sport skills development programme at the Hillwood Primary School MOD Centre as a Grade 7 learner in 2011. Her potential was quickly recognised and she was invited to attend the SHARP Centre for Softball in 2011. During September 2011, she was identified to join the Battswood Softball Club, which is linked to the Hillwood Primary School and Lavender Hill High School MOD centres. As a Grade 8 learner and U/15 player for the Lavender Hill High School MOD Centre, she was identified and promoted to play in the Battswood Softball Club's Super League team, which is the highest league in the Western Province Softball Federation. She is currently in the process of being registered as a learner at the Western Cape Sport School.

Likewise, Siyasanga Zenani of Khayelitsha lives in Site B, Khayelitsha, with his unemployed mother Babalwa Zenani and little sister. He started with the sport skills development programme at the Sakumlandela Primary School MOD Centre in 2011. Through the talent identification process, he was invited to attend the District East SHARP Centre for football in 2011. His talent and potential has resulted in him being selected for and registered at the Western Cape Sport School as from 1 January 2012.

Mr Speaker, I recently had the honour of having dinner with Gary Kasparov the grandmaster, who shot to international fame on becoming the youngest ever undisputed world chess champion at age 22 in 1985. When recently asked about the impact that chess has on education and youth development, he stated that "it's about the sense of responsibility: they know that it's entirely up to them to make all the difference and learn how to operate within a legal framework, because the rules are there and you cannot play the games unless you follow the rules".

The above quotation highlights this government's view that progress is only sustainable if one takes personal responsibility to make a move. Progress comes from embracing the opportunity. This budget is the opportunity; now let's join hands and make the move. Honourable Speaker, we have today in the House, as my special guest, Daniel Barrish, the 11-year-old boy who played against grandmaster Garry Kasparov. This young boy played very well and the match ended in a draw. We are truly inspired by this boy and the WP Chess. I am glad to both his parents and the President of WP Chess, Mr Eldo Smart. A chess revolution has just started in the Western Cape and I have discussed my initial ideas with the WP Chess President. Thanks Daniel.

I am pleased to note that the Western Cape Sport School continues to do well in sport. At the recent Western Province Athletics Championships, the school won eight gold, six silver and ten bronze medals. One of the gold medal winners includes top ten world-ranked 100 metres athlete, Bradley Britz. Six learners have also been taken up in the U/19 Netball team which will be competing in the national championships in April, while four learners will be representing Western Province Baseball next week.

Mr Speaker, the school is, however, also steadily improving as an academic institution as demonstrated by the pass rate of 94.7% in the 2011 Senior Certificate Exams with 36 of the 38 learners doing well enough to proceed to further their studies at a tertiary institution of their choice. Ten of these learners qualified to read towards a bachelor's degree. As a result of the increase in the number and quality of passes at the Western Cape Sport School, the Western Cape Education Department recently presented the school with an academic award to the value of R35 000. The principal, Mr Sean Friedenthal, who is present here today, and his staff need to be commended for their dedication and commitment to assisting talented young people to reach self-actualisation. As a further incentive, an amount of R5.2 million is allocated to the Sport School for the 2012/2013 financial year.

Honourable members, Premier Zille has committed this government to actively drive the agenda of social change through project R²D². This project entails that we:

• Continue to facilitate redress.
• Promote the principles of reconciliation.
• Promoting and celebrating our diversity.
• Carry out the electoral mandate and continue with delivery.

Honourable members, let me outline how my department is giving effect to project R²D².

Firstly, honourable Speaker: redress.

Honourable members will know that we have a history of migrant labour in South Africa. Through community involvement, the Lwandle Migrant Museum was established and over the years has positioned itself as a hub for cultural exchange. I have visited the Lwandle Migrant Labour Museum last year, and was impressed to see the extent to which the local people preserved their history in the museum. I have approached the Western Cape Cabinet in February 2012 to proclaim this museum as a provincially aided museum to allow for institutionalised support by DCAS. Honourable Speaker, it's my pleasure to announce today that the Lwandle Museum was finally proclaimed as such in the Government Gazette of 18 February 2012. I want to thank the Western Cape Cabinet for supporting project redress in Lwandle.

Ratelgat in the West Coast has a special and historical significance to the Griqua people. Honourable Speaker, it is my honour to announce today in this House that we have also declared Ratelgat a Provincial Heritage Site. I will officiate and launch Ratelgat as a Provincial Heritage Site on Saturday, 12 May 2012. This redress project will also restore the dignity of the Griqua People.

Honourable Speaker, we are equally proud of another redress project undertaken by Alliance Francaise, the Western Cape Government and Artscape with the publication of the book, Mitchell's Plain: A Place in the Sun.

Now for the first time the people of Mitchell's Plain have access to the history of Mitchell's Plain. Although not the final chapter in the life of people from Mitchell's Plain, it certainly provides a substantial moment in the process of redress. Another great redress project, driven by the City of Cape Town, is the launching of the UDF Memorial. UDF played a significant role in the history of our country and I want to congratulate the City of Cape Town and the mayor for facilitating redress with the unveiling of the UDF memorial in Mitchell's Plain.

Honourable Speaker, the second item on the agenda for social change is reconciliation.

Honourable Speaker, our reconciliation project is not limited to singular events, but a process to heal the divisions of the past.

Through arts and culture, we also take our programmes to the rural areas. In this way, we facilitate reconciliation between urban and rural, between men and women, between black and white. Many of our clients and productions reflect our rainbow nation. Drama productions from the West Coast and Eden respectively were showcased on the professional stage at Artscape as part of the Suidoosterfees. The networks we have forged and expanded on have borne fruit with the best actor, William Michaels, and actress, Melloney Marais, both from the Kairos Drama Group in Helderberg, being afforded the opportunity to audition for 7de Laan - a programme we are all familiar with.

The department was successful in our application to the National Heritage Council to further implement project reconciliation in the Cape Winelands District Area. We have received an amount of R250 000 to mount a permanent exhibition in the Togryers Museum in Ceres of the history of Nduli and Rooikampie townships for coloureds and Africans. The exhibition was opened to the public on 20 October 2011. This reconciliation project led to the inclusion of live stories of local people in the museum. This project also employed three youths from the local community and made use of local service providers in the processes of designing and printing for the exhibition.

Honourable Speaker, we are proud to have the four Nobel Peace Laureates exhibition displayed at the Waterfront. These four Nobel Peace Laureates are not only symbols, but also the architects of reconciliation. To give our reconciliation icons a greater geographical footprint, my department embarked on a travelling exhibition with more and more people now being exposed to the lessons of reconciliation.

Honourable Speaker, reconciliation is not only what government does, it is also about what society and local communities are doing. I am pleased to see the reconciliation efforts of different communities. Two such cases are the work done in the Worcester area and in Franschoek communities. In Worcester, Professor Jonathan Jansen congratulated communities for bringing about peace in areas previously tarnished with violence; the different groups worked hard at reaching out to one another. In Franschoek, a Transformation Charter between rich and poor was signed on 16 February 2012. As Archbishop Tutu said: "We share a common environment and a common destiny." Better together also proved to be successful in reconciliation in the Western Cape.

Honourable Speaker, a third agenda of social change in the province is our commitment to diversity.

The pretext for our commitment is found in the Preamble of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, "United in our diversity". Honourable Speaker, we have all witnessed the contribution of the FIFA World Cup 2010.

Mega events have the potential to unite people with diverse backgrounds. The Cape Times/Discovery Big Walk is attracting 35 000 people from diverse cultures and it is instructive to see how people from different cultures walk together. In the same way, we see how more than 35 000 cyclists from different nationalities came together to take on the journey. Many years ago, a local community was angry that the cyclists ride through their area. Today, they are part of the excitement and joy when the Cape Argus/Pick 'n Pay cycling event takes place. They have seen the diversity of this event and have now embraced it. The Western Cape Government support these events because they have a huge return on promoting diversity and social inclusion. I want to thank Mr Dave Bellairs (CEO) and Mr Steve Haywood (Chairperson) of the Cape Argus/Pick 'n Pay Cycle Trust for touching people and changing lives. Your work together with Claremont Rotary is noted. Better together.

Honourable Speaker, throughout the last financial year, my department also consulted initiation forums with the intention to improve initiation practices. It is my vision that not a single initiate must be harmed, or worse, die during the initiation school. To give practical effect to our diversity project, we have finalised an Initiation Protocol, which is the product of consultation.

Agbare Speaker, my departement het ook die Diazfees in Mosselbaai ondersteun as 'n diversiteitsprojek. Diversiteit is van die begin af deur Mosselbaai Munisipaliteit in die fees se argitektuur ingebou. Die fees met die tema "Waar kulture ontmoet" het daarin geslaag om diversiteit positief uit te leef. Die fees het almal betrek, dit het in die strate en in gemeenskappe plaasgevind. Die toegang tot die fees was gratis en hulle het hoofsaaklik plaaslike kunstenaars gebruik. Die diversiteit en uitnemendheid was sigbaar en het waardering en aanklank gevind by gehore. Soos Mosselbaai, bou ons op diversiteit en uitnemendheid in die Wes-Kaap.

Ek is ook verheug om te sien hoe die Gugulethu fees daarin slaag om diverse gehore te trek. In Mei hierdie jaar gaan daar 'n wynfees plaasvind wat beloof om kundiges en liefhebbers van die wynkultuur oor 'n wye spektrum te trek. In samewerking met die ATKV het die vorige Snoek en Patatfees in Goedverwacht waar verskillende kulture deelgeneem het, 'n wins van R100 000 opgelewer. Ons sien dus dat diversiteit in feeste ook ekonomiese sin maak. Ek wil graag munisipaliteite en plaaslike gemeenskappe aanmoedig om gemeenskapsfeeste volhoubaar en divers te maak, en te posisioneer as elemente van u plaaslike ekonomiese ontwikkelingstrategieë. Ek en Minister Alan Winde het reeds gesprekke gehad oor kulturele toerisme, en ons sal na afloop van 'n beraad volgende week verdere aanbevelings aan die Kabinet hieroor maak. Agbare Speaker, ek onderteken môre om 10:30 'n samewerkingsooreenkoms met die ATKV op die gebied van kuns en kultuur.

Agbare Speaker, so ondersteun die Wes-Kaapse Regering die Suidooster fees. Ons ondersteun die fees vir die volgende redes:

• Ons belê in talent ontwikkeling.
• Dit bevorder kontemporêre kuns en kultuur.
• Stel ten toon ons produksievaardighede. Ons het uitstekende vervaardigers van skeppende kuns en kultuur.
• Dit gee vir die plaaslike mense toegang tot wêreldklas teater.

Die vierde been van die sosiale agenda is dienslewering.

Honourable Speaker, I cannot over-emphasise enough that libraries play an important role in contributing to a literate society. To support the literacy drive and to contribute towards improving education outcomes, the Library Service will continue to supply library material to 340 library centres throughout Western Cape.

Premier Zille het in haar Openingsrede van die Provinsiale Parlement na "bree band" verwys en die rol wat dit kan speel om geleenthede en toegang te bevorder. Omdat die Premier die jeug as primêre teiken vir geleenthede aangedui het, is daar ook besluit om internet toegang in landelike gebiede in die Wes-Kaap uit te rol.

Ons praat nie net van tegnologie nie, ons skep geleenthede via die "Rural ICT" projek. Die doel van die projek is om aan gemeenskappe van alle plattelandse biblioteke gratis internet toegang te bied. Ons teiken is om aan die einde van die nuwe boekjaar 101 plattelandse biblioteke, gratis internet toegang te verleen. Dorpse soos Merwewille, Zwelentemba, Pacaltsdorp, Melkhoutfontein, Zwelihle, Klaarstroom, Khayamandi en Wolseley vind almal reeds baat in die huidige boekjaar. In die nuwe boekjaar, Agbare Speaker, word plekke soos McGregor, Bergrivier, Railton (Swellendam), Herbertsdale, Bongolethu, Eendekuil, Botrivier, Drakenstein en New Horizon in Bitou geteiken. Agbare Speaker, ons het vir die doel R3.5m opsy gesit in die komende boekjaar om gratis internet toegang na die platteland te neem. Gratis internet toegang is deel van ons teen armoede program in landelike gebiede. Dit is ons erns om tegnologie te gebruik om geleenthede vir die jeug te skep in die platteland.

An amount of R56 129 000 has been allocated in respect of public libraries for the 2012/2013 financial year; of this amount, R47 818 000 will be transferred to municipalities. The funding will be used to pay 331 public library staff, building of two library facilities, provision of furniture and minor upgrading projects.

Honourable Speaker, in line with our agenda to deliver, I am pleased to announce today in the House that we will build two new library facilities. An amount of R6 million will be transferred to Mossel Bay Municipality towards building of KwaNonqaba library and R2 million to Langeberg Municipality as an initial contribution towards Nkqubela library facility in Robertson. Honourable Speaker, two weeks ago, I opened the new Paarl Library in Drakenstein. A new public library is also currently under construction in Vredenburg.

To deal with the issue of unfunded mandates in terms of provision of public library service in the province, I am please to announce that Cabinet has made available funding to B3 or vulnerable municipalities. This project commenced in 2011/2012, and an amount of R45 million is made available for the 2012/2013 financial year. The aim of the funding is to supplement municipal investment into library services and to sustain the future professional delivery and development of such services in the most vulnerable municipalities.

Library Implementation Protocol

To affirm service delivery in the area of public library services, we engaged the city and negotiated a Library Implementation Protocol. On 19 March 2012, I concluded a Library Implementation Protocol with the Municipality of Cape Town to ensure the continued rendering of public library services to the community in the Metro.

Agbare Speaker, my departement se dienslewering is ook uitgebrei om klubontwikkeling te ondersteun. Deur middel van klubontwikkeling word daar gefokus op:

• Goeie sportadministrasie en opleiding.
• Sport toerusting.
• Sport ontwikkeling (atlete, afrigters, skeidsregters en administrateurs).

Vanjaar word 'n verdere bedrag van R9.5 miljoen begroot vir klubontwikkeling. 'n Totaal van 315 klubs, waarvan die meerderheid in die platteland geleë is, gaan hierby baat vind. Ek wil ook graag vir mnr Herman Abrahams van WP Rugby Unie bedank vir u samewerking op die gebied van rugby klubontwikkeling. Ons is veral beïndruk deur die onder Twintig Liga in die townships, waar klubs soos Blue Jet, Busy Bees, Imiqhayi, Young Brothers, Khayelitsha, Young ideas, Kahya Rose en United Brothers 'n besonder mededingende liga het. Ons ondersteun hierdie Liga en vertrou dat van hierdie jong spelers binne afsienbare tyd die WP en selfs die Stormers spanne gaan haal en versterk.

Agbare Speaker, ek het vroeër die maand 'n munisipale sportberaad gebou. Daar is besluit dat:

i. Plaaslike owerhede moet hulself deeglik vergewis deur middel van oudit van alle bestaande fasiliteite in hulle jurisdiksie-gebiede. ii. Bogenoemde inligting moet in die langtermyn sportontwikkelingsplan ingevoer word. iii. Bestaande fasiliteite moet deur operasionele en onderhoudsplanne gerugsteun word.

Honourable members, I have made a commitment last year during our Heritage Summit that we must give the public broader access to information online. Honourable Speaker, I am now reporting to this House that information on matters before Heritage Western Cape is now readily available on our website. I am equally encouraged that delegations to staff have been reviewed by the Council of Heritage Western Cape to ensure greater accountability and to improve the speed and quality of the application process.

Museums Honourable Speaker, on 16 February 2012, the draft Museum Policy was released in the three official languages of the Western Cape for public comment. We trust that these comments will sufficiently inform us to commence with drafting new legislation.

The Museum Service strives to ensure that affiliated museums continue to play a pivotal role in education. The Museum Service will develop programmes that are not only linked to the new permanent exhibitions, but also align the education programmes with curriculum statements and we will use the MOD centres to present outreach programmes that inculcate values of social inclusion.

The R24.6 million allocated to museums will support 28 affiliated museums and give impetus to transformation projects with museums.

Geographical Names The Western Cape Geographical Names Committee, under the guidance of its chairperson, Mr Elsworth McPherson, is a statutory body authorised to advise when local authorities are reviewing the names of streets and places under their jurisdiction. In our province this process was not always attended to in an acceptable way and I am pleased to learn of the efforts by the Geographical Names Committee to engage local authorities to follow correct procedures. The committee's work includes:

• Assistance with maps to provide accurate detail.
• Clearing up contradictions in official documents about the naming of mountains.
• Research into hospital names.
• To provide assistance with signage on public roads.
• Verifying our database of registered and unregistered geographical names in the province.

Agbare Speaker, ek wil hiermee 'n beroep doen op munisipaliteite om die nodige sensitiwiteit te betoon vir ons geskiedenis en diverse agtergronde wanneer ons geografiese of straatname oorweeg.

Language Services Speaker sadly, I deliver my budget address against the background use of official the Languages Bill, previously the South African Languages Bill. A recent amendment of the bill requires in the draft clause 4(2)(b) that the language policy to be adopted by national departments or public entities must identify at least three official languages for government purposes, of which at least two must be indigenous languages of historically diminished use.

It follows that most National Government departments would choose to use English and two African Languages. Representatives of the governing party in the portfolio Committee have stated in so many terms that Afrikaans should not enjoy protection. Even now national government departments hardly recognise any of the 11 official languages, except English.

Honourable Speaker, the impact of the above is best summarised in the word of celebrated author Jan Rabie when he says: "Afrikaans is die grootste nie-rassige prestasie in ons Suiderland sovêr. Gesamentlik geskep deur mense van drie vastelande - Afrika, Asië en Europa. En daarom is dit nie die besit van eensydige politieke partye nie, maar behoort dit aan almal wat dit praat, skryf en liefhet. En daarom ook is my taal my beste wapen teen rassisme en ek wil nog bysê - sonder Afrikaans is ek niks."

It is already a well-established practice by the National Government departments to ignore the provisions of equal status of the 11 official languages. The proposed bill will now legitimise the further marginalisation of the majority of the 11 official languages.

The current proposals will mean that the National Government departments operating in the Western Cape will marginalise the use of Afrikaans. Afrikaans is the majority language followed by isiXhosa and English in the Western Cape. The Constitution (Section 6(4)) is clear that regional circumstances, practicality, usage and expense must be taken into consideration when drafting a language act. I have been advised that the proposed bill adopted violates Section 6(4) of the Constitution and as such would be constitutionally impermissible. A future Languages Act should expand the use of official languages and not contribute to the disuse of any language.

The Western Cape provided for three official languages (ie Afrikaans, isiXhosa and English) in the Western Cape Constitution. In addition, the Western Cape passed a Language Act, Act 13 of 1998. Furthermore, a Western Cape Language Committee, which is represented here today by its Chairperson, Dr Michael le Cordeur, was established to promote the three official languages of the Western Cape. The Western Cape also adopted the Western Cape Language Policy. It is clear that the Western Cape is making progress to give effect to the Constitutional provisions of Section 6(3)(a) of the Constitution. The Western Cape is also promoting sign language for persons with hearing disabilities. We must consider the principles of redress, reconciliation, diversity and delivery for all in drafting a Language Bill for South Africa. It is my duty and responsibility to protect language rights in the interest of all language users in this province. South Africa is a constitutional democracy and it is up to the Constitutional Court to safeguard the rights, responsibilities and obligations of private citizens as outlined in the Constitution. The Constitution of South Africa and not Parliament is supreme and the Western Cape Government will protect the supremacy of the Constitution of South Africa.

It is in the spirit of multilingualism that I allocate R3.899 million towards the equal promotion of the three official languages of the Western Cape, SA Sign languages and marginalised languages such as Nama.

An earlier survey indicated that there were 14 605 individuals with a hearing disability in the province. This placed a further obligation on the department to ensure that such individuals have access to services through sign language. In response to the outcome of the survey, the department implemented a number of pogrammes.

Honourable Speaker, I also recently attended a sign language class at the School for the Deaf in Khayelitsha. The previous research identified a need for sign language classes to hearing parents, guardians, care givers and teachers to enable them to communicate more effectively with their deaf children and learners. The Language Committee should be commended for their support for this project.

Archives The Western Cape Archives and Records Service has the oldest records in the country, dating from 1651. Due to regular use over time and the ageing of the materials, many of these records require repair and conservation care to ensure their continued survival. A strategy to ensure the long-term preservation of the records will require their digitisation so that digital surrogates can be consulted instead of the fragile originals. The acquisition of a digital overhead scanner will be investigated to facilitate the provision of copies to the public, and to preserve the records by eliminating unnecessary handling.

The Western Cape Archives and Records Service has concluded a co-operative agreement with the Nationaal Archief in The Hague in the Netherlands. This project, called the Mutual Cultural Heritage Project, is a partnership intended to assist in the funding and exchange of expertise for the preservation of archival records relating to the Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC) era (1651 - 1795).

The National Protection of State Information Bill This bill deals in various respects with "archives", inter alia in clause 33, which provides that all public records marked classified that are transferred to the National Archives or other archives, must be de-classified. This would pave the way for a new classification system to be introduced by the bill.

The bill then proposes a new framework for the protection and destruction of public records, on the basis of what is perceived to be "valuable information". These matters are currently regulated in the Western Cape by the Provincial Archives and Records Services of Western Cape Act of 2005, which allows for the preservation and eventual destruction of public records according to well-established and internationally accepted guidelines. Schedule 5 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1996 lists the functional areas of exclusive provincial legislation competence. One of them is "Archives other than National Archives".

The overrides in Section 44(2) of the Constitution (to maintain national security, economic unity or essential national standards) do not find application in this instance. The bill does not even purport to establish the framework for any of the conditions in section 44(2) that would permit national legislation to take preference over existing provincial legislation.

In the alternative, if the relevant provisions of the bill do fall within the ambit of section 44(2) of the Constitution and therefore within the legislative competence of Parliament, they are required to be dealt with in accordance with the procedure as contemplated by section 76 of the Constitution (for ordinary bills affecting provinces), and not the procedure that has been followed to date, being that which is contemplated by section 75 of the Constitution (for ordinary bills not affecting provinces).

It follows that the relevant provisions of the bill are beyond the competence of Parliament (to the extent that they apply to archives other than national archives) or, if they are within the legislative competence of Parliament by virtue of section 44(2) of the Constitution (which we deny), they are required to be dealt with under section 76 of the Constitution.

If the Information Bill is enacted in its present form, the relevant provisions will be invalid and let there be no doubt about the resolve of this government to protect the legitimate and constitutionally enshrined powers accorded to provinces. I have already submitted my concerns in writing to Minister Cwele, the Minister of State Security, and await his reply.

Honourable Speaker, complex plural societies needs to recognise and appreciate the power of celebrations in a multi-cultural society. During this year, we will partner with municipalities and cultural organisations to recreate the rainbow nation, celebrate our cultural diversity and create platforms where cultures meet. Through sport and culture we want to put back the spark in our people.

Talking about spark, Honourable Speaker, we have in Bonteheuwel Genevieve Lentz, who is representing the Western Province in table tennis. She is currently the only active female Blue Badge Umpire on the African Continent. Blue Badge Umpires are regarded as Elite Umpires and the only umpires eligible to umpire at the Olympics. Honourable Speaker, I am proud to announce that Genevieve Lentz has been selected to umpire at the 2012 London Olympics. She is present here today in this House.

We have another remarkable woman present in the House today. At the age of 72 Petronella Kleinsmidt from Goodwood is the first black woman to qualify as a national and international Karate referee. I am proud to announce in this House that she obtained her eighth Dan in 2011.

Agbare Speaker, ek sluit af met die twee dames, want hulle is 'n inspirasie vir ons mense van die Wes-Kaap. Dit is daardie inspirasie en toewyding wat ons nodig het op vele ander terreine om 'n beter samelewing te skep.

Agbare Speaker ons taak is nog nie voltooi nie, die boublokke en die fondasie is gelê en so bou ons nou baksteen vir baksteen, saam met mense, 'n beter lewe in die Wes-Kaap.

Vir die beter lewe begroot my departement vir: Program 1 (Administrasie): R43.358 miljoen. Program 2 (Kultuursake): R82.93 miljoen. Program 3 (Biblioteke en Argiewe): R179.638 miljoen. Program 4 (Sport): R84.835 miljoen.

Agbare Speaker, ek lê my departement se 2012/2013 begroting ter waarde van R390.761m ter tafel.

Agbare Speaker, ek bedank die Premier en my Kabinetskollegas vir hul ondersteuning met die Begroting. Ek wil ook opreg my dank uitspreek aan mnr. Mark Wiley, die Voorsiter van die Staande Komitee oor Kultuur en Sport, vir sy oorsig en kritiese vrae. My dank gaan ook aan alle lede van die Staande Komitee vir hulle rol in parlementêre oorsig. Agbare Speaker, my departement word deur 'n uiters bekwame Hoof van Departement, mnr. Brent Walters en sy SMS lede, gelei. My dank gaan ook aan my ministeriële personeel, die Hoof van my Ministerie, adv. Estienne Pretorius, my mediabeampte, Daniel Johnson, my privaatsekretaresse, Charmaine de Vos, Linda Jacobs, Chandre Petersen, Zodwa Mdingi en Nicky van Reenen. Agbare Speaker, sonder die ondersteuning van my familie en my vrou sal ek nie die werk kan doen nie. Dankie ook aan hulle.

Ek dank u / I thank you / Ndiya nibulela.