Media Releases 2021 - 2020
Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), in partnership with the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) and the National Library of South Africa (NLSA), joins the world in celebration of International Mother Language Day on the 21st of February 2021 under the theme, “Fostering multilingualism for inclusion in education and society”.
The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, this morning, met with members of the Cricket South Africa (CSA) Interim Board, led by it’s Chairperson, Dr Stavros Nicolaou, to take stock of progress made towards the completion of their mandate.
South African sporting icon and legendary boxing trainer Mzimasi Mnguni has passed away. In his lifetime, Mnguni produced many National and World Boxing Champions. He put South Africa on the global boxing map through his famed Eyethu Boxing Gym in Mdantsane, East London.
Due to the growing concern on the rising number of COVID-19 infections; Cabinet took a decision to move the country back to COVID-19 Alert Level 3, as announced by the President on the 28th of December 2020. This announcement saw the Sport, Arts and Culture sector suffer yet another financial set-back as Government had to put in place tighter restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the virus and saving lives of South Africans.
Minister Nathi Mthethwa is deeply saddened by the passing of Sport Broadcaster, Sandile kaNqose, who reportedly passed away yesterday at the age of 42. He was a die-hard sport fan who had an insatiable passion for broadcasting.
The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture has learned of the passing of Soweto-born, South African Jazz and Opera Musician, Dr Sibongile Khumalo, who enthralled audiences across the globe, as a multi-talented, soulful and dynamic musician and an ambassador of our heritage.
Minister Nathi Mthethwa has expressed concern over the manner and frequency of club ownership changes and its impact on the development of the game of football and the welfare of players in particular.
Minister Nathi Mthethwa, having taken note of weekend reports relating to a call between the Chairman of the CSA Interim Board, Judge Zak Yacoob and a newspaper journalist, took time to engage with the Judge to agree on the best way forward on the matter.
The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, pays tribute to the late Lawrence “Slow Poison” Nzondo from East London, also popularly known as ‘Bra Mesh’. Nzondo was one of the first boxers from the then Cape Province to turn professional in 1965, as part of the ‘Group of 4’ that included the likes of Alesta Mahashe, Stanley Toni and Cornet Dunjwa.
Reflecting on the role that “Slow Poison” played, Minister Mthethwa said, “He was a model professional, a disciplinarian, a family man and an absolute credit to the Boxing fraternity. He will always be remembered as one of the pioneers of professional boxing in our country during the dark days of apartheid, giving our people hope and inspiration”.