The Directorate: Employee Wellness convened a four-day National Sports Council (NSC) meeting, from 14 to 17 November 2022 at Karridene Protea Hotel in KwaZulu-Natal, aimed at increasing participation in sports in the Department of Correctional Services (DCS).
The meeting, held under the theme: “Department of Correctional Services (DCS) sports strive towards good governance, leadership, coordination and accountability,” was primarily focused on devising strategies towards the realisation of a vision to achieve a positive, motivated, healthy and winning DCS workforce, through sports. Many aspects were discussed, including the need to include persons with disabilities, youth and women empowerment in sports, integration of sports and wellness, the role of sports in the elimination of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), substance use disorder, Injury on Duty (IOD) and the election of a new NSC for 2023.
NSC 2022 Chairperson, Obakeng Molebalwa emphasised that the delivery of sports and recreation by ensuring development and excellence at all levels of participation is a fundamental pillar of the ‘2020 ideal sport system in DCS’ blueprint. He further emphasised the need to finalise outstanding policies, draft the DCS sports strategy and plan, ensure all sporting codes comply with applicable rules and regulations and review current Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with various federations and fraternal organisations, and ensure continuous monitoring and evaluation of sports in DCS.
During his keynote address, National Commissioner, Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale asserted that sports is crucial in assisting officials to learn various virtues such as teamwork, coordination and to keep the body strong and healthy. Commissioner Thobakgale said that sports help individuals in many other ways beyond the physical aspect, adding that it builds character, develops and teaches strategic and analytical thinking, leadership skills, goal setting and risk taking. “Sports participation in DCS is central towards employee wellness. We have positioned sports as a unifier because it has the capability of building the nation,” said Commissioner Thobakgale.
He further hailed the MoU between DCS and Netball South Africa, which has enabled the Department to participate in the annual Netball National Championships. “Access to funding is a major issue that the Sports Council should resolve by formulating a National Sports Plan that is aligned to the department and is informed by the strategic direction of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC),” said Commissioner Thobakgale.
Chief Deputy Commissioner: Human Resources, Cynthia Ramulifho weighed in and spoke on accountability, acceleration and amplification of sports in DCS. She highlighted the huge progress made in the resuscitation of sports in the Department. CDC Ramulifho unpacked plans for 2023 which includes participation in the Two Oceans Marathon, amongst others. “There are a number of plans in the pipeline that are yet to be achieved such as video gaming, indigenous games and the National Youth Campaign for students who will be absorbed into the Department,” said Ramulifho.
The following resolutions were adopted as part of the National Sports and Recreational Plan:
• Maximise involvement of youth, women and people living with disability
• Incorporate sports development such as officials becoming accredited qualified coaches
• Improve facilities such as pools
• Build a sustainable partnership with National Federations
• Increase the National Sports fund contribution to an amount that will be able to sustain sports and recreational plan
• Incorporate sports events into the DCS events calendar
• Plan and prepare for the 2023/24-year programme including the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Games, National Championships and Comrades Marathon
Dr Guru Kistnasamy, from the Central Drug Authority, gave an eye-opening talk to raise awareness about substance use disorder in sports as well as the danger of cigarettes, alcohol and other drugs. He also outlined the risks of some of the drugs and how they can affect people’s health. During the session, the NSC delegates raised R8 410.00 which was pledged towards a humanitarian support to seven (7) families affected by recent floods in KwaZulu-Natal.