The winds of change blew through South African sport in 1994 following
the first democratic election in April. The Minister of Sport
and Recreation unveiled an ambitious five-year plan aimed at redressing
imbalances in sport. Included in the five-year plan are a sports
development trust to which members of the private sector pledged
at least R1 million each; the establishment of a national football
pools lottery; a national sport and leisure academy to be built
between Johannesburg and Pretoria; development programmes to encompass
all levels of sport; multi-purpose facilities in the largely deprived
rural areas; a national sports information centre, and scientific
support services to South African sportspeople.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognised the National
Olympic Committee of South Africa (Nocsa) as the country's sole
controlling body for Olympic sport in 1994. The National Aports
Congress (NSC), which represents non-Olympic sports, has now firmly
established itself as the country's major umbrella sports organisation.
To promote better liaison between the Government and the sports
fraternity, a National Sports Forum was established during 1994.
The Department of Sport and Recreation, the NSC and Nocsa are
equally represented in this forum.
After an absence of 36 years, South Africa was welcomed back to
the Commonwealth Games held in Victoria, Canada. The last time
a South African team participated in these Games was in Cardiff
in 1958. The 2004 Olympic Games may be held in South Africa if
Cape Town succeeds in its bid to host the biggest sporting event
in the world. Cape Town clinched the national bid from Johannesburg
and Durban.
The Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) states that
all sport and recreation should cut across all development programmes,
and be accessible and affordable to all South Africans. The Programme
aims to facilitate the mobilisation of resources in both the public
and private sectors to redress inequality in society. Particular
attention will be paid to the provision of facilities at schools
and in communities where there are large concentrations of unemployed
youth.
South African-born sportsmen and women who have excelled during the past year
Athletics - Okkert Britts, Elana Meyer, Shadrack Hoff, Hezekeil Sepeng
Big game fishing - Julius Jerling, Chris Steenberg, Frankie Jacobs, Casper Walker
Bowls - South Africa women's team
Boxing - Jacob Mofokeng, Jan Bergman, Phillip Holiday, Mbulelo Botile, Vuyani Bungu, Baby Jake Matlala, Daniel Ward, Brian Mitchell
Cricket - Hansie Cronje, Dave Callaghan, Barry Richards
Golf - Mark MacNulty, Nick Price, Ernie Els, Barry Sundleson
Karate - Sandra Ferreira Louw
Marathon - Xolile Yawa, Willie Mtolo, Johannes Mabitle, Elana Meyer
Motorcross - Greg Albertyn
Road running - Sean Meiklejohn, Zithulele Sinqe
Rowing - Greg Bayne, Micheal Hasselbach, John Callie, Gareth Costa, Mark Rowand, Roger Taylor
Rugby World Cup - South Africa beat New Zealand 15-12
Viva the Springboks! A jubilant President Mandela shares the great
moment with Springbok rugby captain, Francois Pienaar, after the team's victory
over New Zealand during the first-ever World Rugby Cup Tournament to be
played on South African soil (photograph: Jan Hamman).
Showjumping - Anneli Wucherpfenning
South African Sports Star of the Year - Ernie Els, Baby Jake Matlala, Vuyani Bungu, Greg Albertyn, Elana Meyer, Wayne Ferreira
Special Olympics - The South Africa won eight medals at the world swimming championships
Squash - Glen Whittaker, Angela Clifton-Parkes
Surf ski - Oscar Chalupsky, Herman Chalupsky, Brett Peagelly
Swimming - Penny Heyns
Tennis - Wayne Ferreira, Elna Reinach, Joanette Kruger, Surina de Beer, Jessica Steck, Melanie Pieterse, Neville Godwin, Amanda Coetzer
Tenpin bowling - Anne Jacobs
Triathlon - Kim Carter, Paula Newby-Fraser, Hannele Steyn
Waterskiing - Dion Scibante
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