Gauteng CreActive programme introduced to reinvigorate sports and arts in schools
By CityLife Arts Writer
The Gauteng Provincial Government has officially launched the highly anticipated Integrated Sports and Arts Wednesday League Programme for Gauteng Schools- the Gauteng CreActive Sports and Arts Schools Programme.
Named CreActive, a combination of Creative and Active, the programme will give learners the opportunity to participate in extra mural activities that will keep them engaged in positive physical and creative on a weekly basis. Participating in extracurricular activities will also keep learners away from negative social ills and practices such as substance abuse etc. and furthermore cultivate a population of youth that are holistically healthy.
To be implemented by the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, together with the Gauteng Department of Education, the Gauteng CreActive Sports and Arts Schools Programme aims to breathe new life into school sport, elevate competitive participation in the arts and recreational activities in schools and expose learners to alternative codes they ordinarily would have access to.
Schools being the foundation for growth and development, the programme will also serve as a platform for talent identification and nurturing in addition to mass participation. Those who are exceptionally gifted will have access to training to develop their skills and unlock their potential for competitive play and professionalisation in the sports and arts sectors.
The programme will begin implementation over 400 no fee schools in the province with the goal to have all schools in Gauteng ultimately take part in weekly sports and arts league games.
With the transformation of sports and arts in township schools as a priority for the provincial government, pilot sporting codes for participating schools go beyond netball and football with the introduction of golf, rowing, horse riding and skateboarding.
The arts and culture component of the programme will give creatively inclined learners an opportunity to compete and showcase their talents in activities such as dance, chorale, clap and tap, drum majorettes and school war cries, fine arts and many others, as well as the introduction of DJ’ing
Held at the Nokuthula Special School in Alexandra the provincial launch of the programme was led by Gauteng Premier David Makhura who was joined by MECs Mbali Hlophe and Panyaza Lesufi. In addition, leaders and legends within the sports and arts industries were in attendance for support including Desiree Ellis, Cassper Nyovest, Lady Du and many more.
“The investment we are making towards young people in the province is by investing in sports and arts into our no fee schools. We do this because we truly appreciate that sport and arts can truly liberate the minds of young people and become a career choice and business.” says Gauteng Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation MEC Mbali Hlohpe.