“It is highly unacceptable in this era and age for us to continue having briefcase operations” Hlong

MINISTRY OF SPORT AND RECREATION

KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY THE MINISTER OF SPORT AND RECREATION, HON. MAKHOSINI HLONGWANE (MP)

ON THE OCCASSION OF GOOD COORPORATE GOVERNANCE IN SPORT AND RECREATION

HELD AT CRESTA LODGE ON

19 JANUARY, 2017

It is my singular honour and priviledge to officiate at this august gathering with a common view to cut through sport and recreation governance issues and lay a foundation for virtuous supremacy within the fraternity.

The role of good governance in any organization can be understood as the fabric of any institution and a barometer which measures successes and failures. Governance also determines how institutions are presided over thus even deciding on their interaction with stakeholders. Some stakeholders are known for their poor public perception while others are known for their good names built over time.

Ladies and Gentlemen;

In simple terms governance means how an organization is managed, adheres to its systems and procedures; adherence to these will largely contribute to the success of the organization. In view of the above, the sport and recreation sector is not an exception, its governance systems and foundations are derived from the rules and regulations of each sport code. As you will appreciate, there is no sport or recreational activity without rules and if one breaks them it forms the basis of punishment.

On my appointment as Minister of Sport and Recreation, I took the opportunity to meet with National Sport Associations (NSAs) and the sad scenario was that most of them do not have formal operational spaces. This does not confer good Corporate Governance, in other words, our operations are largely informal thereby causing sport to ineffectively contribute to the growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The identity and location of formally constructed organizations should never be doubted by all and sundry. Organizations should be traced to their physical location, website, and other forms of identity. It is highly unacceptable in this era and age for us to continue having briefcase operations and as Government we offered to support Associations and Institutions to acquire offices at the National Sports Stadium but I am reliably informed that National Sport Associations are reluctant to toe the line.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

While it is appreciated that sport is now one of the highest paying industries, our situation cannot attest to this position. We can only contribute effectively to the social and economic development of this nation if we are organized as a sector. The business of prioritising squabbles at the expense of our core business needs to cease hence forth.

Compliance and adherence to statutory requirements is a sacrosanct characteristic within the sport and recreation sector. Consequent to that, it becomes a requisite for National Sport Associations and their affiliates to satisfy

• Constitutional requirements and obligations

• Adherence to the country’s laws (Chiefly the SRC Act Chapter 25:15 of 1991 revised in 1996, Statutory Instrument 352 of 1995, relevant laws such as the Labour Act, Income Tax Act, amongst others )

• International Sport Federations rules and regulations

In addition, my Ministry and SRC, will regulate all capacity development programmes offered in the sport and recreation sector.

In conclusion, successful organizations are built on unshakable foundation of good corporate governance. Sport and recreation can only improve if our systems and procedures delight the stakeholders whom we serve.

Once again Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to take this opportunity to declare 2017 as a year of “Good Corporate Governance” in sport.

It is now my singular honour and privilege to declare this workshop officially open.

I thank you. Tatenda. Siyabonga