Cape Town – Newly appointed Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Zizi Kodwa says he has hit the ground running and has been in contact with big sporting codes.
Kodwa took over from the much criticised Nathi Mthethwa earlier this week.
High up on his agenda is the issue of transformation, Kodwa said during an interview with Robert Marawa on #MSWOn947.
He said his portfolio needs to involve people who have passion for what they do, adding that sport must be used as a tool to build a non-racial society.
“Transformation in 2023 must not be negotiable. We negotiated transformation in rugby, but those times are gone, in the same way we shouldn’t be talking about equal pay for men and women, we shouldn’t be talking about transformation.
“Transformation must be enforced, it’s non-negotiable. We must use sport to build non-racialism. Racism must not be tolerated in sport or in society as a whole and any act of racism must be punished. It needs to be a case of “hit one to teach others”.” said Kodwa.
He said that access to sport must not be on the base of money or race, adding that he will be focusing on the development of talent and improving infrastructure.
“Sports development and infrastructure must be at the forefront. This portfolio is important because it brings special moments in South Africa. You have to meet with the people, the post is not for someone with heels and sit in the office,” he said.
Up next on his to-do list is a meeting with the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SACOC).
“I’ve already hit the ground running. I’m meeting with SACOC first and I have already been in contact with the big sporting codes,” he said.
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
