Minister of Basic Education, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, joined by Western Cape Education MEC, Mr David Maynier, attended the official launch of the R130 million Western Cape School Sports Strategy in Lavender Hills on 10 February 2026, a significant investment aimed at strengthening school sport across the province. The initiative seeks to promote youth development, encourage healthy and active lifestyles, and create structured pathways for the identification and nurturing of future sporting champions who will represent South Africa on national and global stages.
In her address, Minister Gwarube emphasised that education must extend beyond the classroom to support the holistic development of learners, reflecting a shared understanding that education does not end in the classroom. She added that school sport plays a vital role in building discipline, teamwork, resilience and leadership, qualities that shape responsible citizens and future leaders.
“True education develops the mind, the body, and the character of every learner. I want to commend the Western Cape MEC for Cultural Affairs and Sports, Mr Ricardo Mackenzie, and the Western Cape Government for demonstrating bold leadership through this investment. By committing significant resources to school sport infrastructure, coaching, equipment, leagues and learner participation programmes, the province is setting a standard that shows what is possible when we prioritise the full development of our learners. School sport is also the foundation of our national sporting excellence. Every national champion, every professional athlete and every Olympian begins somewhere, most often on a school field. Expanding access to school sports therefore ensures that talent is discovered early, nurtured properly and given the opportunity to flourish regardless of background”.
Minister Gwarube made it clear that the Department of Basic Education (DBE) remains committed to working closely with provincial governments, and the private sector to strengthen school sport across the country. Key priorities in this regard include: ensuring that Physical Education remains fully implemented within the Life Skills and Life Orientation curriculum; expanding school sport leagues so that more learners participate regularly; supporting teachers and coaches with training and resources; strengthening partnerships that allow infrastructure, equipment and opportunities to reach every school community; and using school sport as a platform for social cohesion, inclusion, and nation-building.
The Western Cape Provincial School Sports Strategy shows what effective collaboration can achieve when government departments, educators, communities and partners align around a shared vision. The Minister’s message to learners was: “It is about giving you opportunities to play, to grow, to discover your talents, and to learn the values that sport teaches perseverance, teamwork, respect and excellence. Together, let us continue working to ensure that every learner in South Africa has the opportunity to learn, to play and to succeed”.