Zizi Kodwa – SA Government needs to remodel sports funding

After a year in office and having seen and interacted enough with sports federations, Kodwa is now wiser in understanding the industry's challenges. 

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SABC Sport knows that government funding accounts for less than two percent of their budgets in most federations. Something Kodwa wants to be seriously reviewed. 

''My wish personally is that  the seventh administration can do more to invest in sport, I don't think as a country we are investing enough in terms of sports and its contribution - not just to the GDP but to the nation called South Africa. I have been to a few countries, the most senior ministry after the President in France is the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, because of its contribution to the GDP of that country,'' said Kodwa.

There is a prevailing sentiment within the sports sector that the South African government is not giving due importance to sports, as evidenced by its funding model.

This sentiment is often reinforced by comparisons with other countries, both on the continent and abroad, that have more robust resources for sports.

Kodwa, who has had the opportunity to travel extensively since his appointment in March 2023, has also witnessed these disparities firsthand. 

''If you go to the federation of Russia for example, one of the most senior ministers is the Minister of Sports, because they know what it means to building a nation. There's a number of things we could have learned, we could have done more, but we have done what we have done. And I am quite happy with the work that has been done,'' added Kodwa.

Suggestions have been made that the government could be more creative in fundraising for sports by taxing big businesses or giving tax holidays to companies sponsoring sports federations, athletes, and events.

Kodwa says government on its own can’t carry sports funding in the country. 

''There are many ways to look at remodeling in terms of financing. Government can not carry the agenda of sport alone, we need a very active corporate citizens, of which many of them are playing their part,'' he concluded.

Deputy Minister Nocawe Mafu, who has now completed two full terms with the department, says school sports is one area that still needs a lot of focus.