'A kid in sport, is a kid out of court': McKenzie, Gwarube sign MOU to make sport, arts compulsory in schools

CAPE TOWN - New Government of National Unity (GNU) ministers have taken the first step in delivering on their promise to make sport, arts and culture compulsory in all schools. 

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube and Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding on the sidelines of Parliament to make this a reality. 

But with the huge inequalities across the country’s schools and the constant pinch of government budget cuts, they’re appealing to the private sector to help unearth more talented youths to showcase on the world stage.

Inspired by the Olympic performance of matriculant Bayanda Walaza, the basic education and sport ministers said they were on a mission to give all children an equal opportunity to be the best they can be. 

McKenzie said that South Africa had to grow its Olympian team to be commensurate with its population size. 

"I firmly believe, because I have evidence of it, that a kid in sport, is a kid out of court," he said.

But this agreement is not only about compulsory physical education. 

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube said that the intention was to nurture well-rounded individuals by also instilling in them an appreciation for the arts and culture.

"Schools are the microcosm of the societies and the communities that they are in. If you have got a violent community, that kind of violence will transcend into our schools."

The programme will include the introduction of sports ambassadors, national youth camps, indigenous games, heritage education, a choral eisteddfod and the spelling bee.