Minister Kodwa hands over outdoor gym in Mpumalanga

Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa recently handed over an outdoor gym and sporting clothes to a community of KwaMhlanga in Mpumalanga.

He said the outdoor gym, which is located in Royal Great Places, means that communities can exercise in a safe environment, and the gym equipment can be well looked after.

“Government’s intervention to build outdoor gyms in Royal Great Places is a commitment to develop sport in rural communities. furthermore,, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture is also building multipurpose sports courts in rural and township communities,” the Minister said.

He said historically, rural communities have lacked sport and recreational facilities.

“This has meant that there are not enough resources available in these communities for people, and the youth in particular, to exercise and play sport. By focusing on sport development in rural communities, we are inspiring communities to live active lifestyles,” he said.

He added that through such initiatives, the department is also addressing the issue of youths needing to go to towns and cities where there are more resources to play sport.

“By prioritising sport development in rural communities, we are also working to ensure that sport talent is identified in these communities, and that it is given opportunities to flourish. It is in communities such as KwaMhlanga where the next Trevor Nyakane or Caster Semenya will be discovered,” Minister Kodwa said.

This year, South Africa celebrates 30 years of freedom. One of the mandates of  government over the past 30 years has been to ensure social transformation in South African society through promoting social cohesion, social integration, and social inclusion.

“Sport plays a critical role in realising this goal. Just as President Nelson Mandela said, sport unifies people in ways little else can. Sport brings hope where there was once despair,” he said.  –SAnews.gov.za

The MDDA funds K Radio's modern studios

As South Africa celebrates 30 years of democracy this year, the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) continues to support the development and diversity of community and small commercial media.

Recently, the Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni accompanied by the Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nomasonto Motaung, various MEC's in the province and the MDDA Board Chairperson Professor Hlengani Mathebula officially unveiled the state-of-the-art studios at K FM  in Mpumalanga.

The unveiling signifies the MDDA’s mission to support the development of a vibrant, innovative, and people-centred community media sector.

In a joint statement, the Presidency and the MDDA said Kanyamazane community radio station was formed in 1998 and was later licensed by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa in 2008 to provide a community radio service.

“The station has been operational for 26 years, and it is the first time it has been funded by the MDDA. The languages of broadcast are 65% IsiSwati, 15% IsiZulu, 15% English & 5% Township Lingo,” they said.

They added that community media forms a vital part of any society, as it ensures that communities are represented and reflected as part of a diverse nation.

“It engages people from different cultures and backgrounds, and through the use of indigenous languages advances dialogue and promotes participatory democracy,” they said.

Community media also plays an important role in reminding citizens of their democratic right to vote, as this year is also an election year.

“The media, and community media in particular, plays a crucial role in providing access to relevant, reliable and timely information upon which citizens can make informed choices,” they said.