Hon Chairperson, hon Minister, at the outset let me state that the PAC supports the Budget Vote. [Applause.]
The hon Minister's unrelenting charge against corruption in sport is highly commendable. The PAC salutes him for carrying out a clean-up operation in cricket. However, we are concerned about corruption in football, especially at the amateur level. [Interjections.] Allegations of referee bribery are flying thick and fast. Something needs to be done to root out this evil practice.
Many of our sportsmen and women live in abject poverty, where they are doomed to die. Some of them were once flush, with millions of dollars and euros. The PAC proposes that the Ministry of Sport and Recreation find a mechanism to protect sportspersons financially.
The private sector should be brought on board and be encouraged to employ former sportsmen and women. It would be worthwhile to conduct an investigation into the remuneration of sportsmen and women. It seems some sportspersons are paid a fortune, while others take home peanuts as a salary.
On the transformation of sport, I am afraid we can't transform sport without transforming the entire society. Otherwise, it's like fixing a carburettor alone and wishfully thinking that the whole car will perform. Hon Minister, the PAC hopes that you will persuade your colleagues in Cabinet to see a need to transform society in all respects - cultural, economic and social. Sport transformation will remain a pipe dream as long as economic apartheid remains firmly in place. Take the former Transkei for example. The area has about 5 million people, and no decent sporting facilities. It has hardly a stadium that can host a Premier Soccer League game.
In conclusion, let us transform society, and sport and recreation will automatically be transformed. Thank you. [Applause.]