Sport and recreation on Robben Island

The article provides insight into an important part of South Africa’s sport history that has not been explored yet: What was the role sport and recreation played on Robben Island in the days when it served as political prison? The research has been a collaborative project of the Department for Cultural Affairs and Sport, Western Cape Sports Council, Mayibuye Centre and the University of the Western Cape’s Interdisciplinary Center for Sport Science and Development. Facilitated by the establishment of a ‘Robben Island General Recreational Committee’ in the 1960s, sport and recreation took a very special form on the Island. Unknown to South Africans and the world, during Apartheid, sport and recreation on Robben Island were used as a vehicle to unite people and to promote values of respect, integrity, dignity, teamwork and fair play as an integral part of a holistic person. Leisure activities became a place of triumph of human spirit, body and soul. The research facilitated the process of digitisation of archives from the Island. Numerous sources were discovered, giving an insight into the role of sport and recreation for many of South Africa’s past and present leaders. The study also highlights the role sport and recreation played in the unique journey to freedom and democracy.International Bibliography of Social Science

How should universities play the game? Role of the academic sector in sport for development and peace in South Africa

Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) refers to the use of sport to promote varied outcomes on and beyond the playing field. It encompasses a range of initiatives and stakeholders including multilateral agencies, governments and civil society. While multiple benefits may be achieved through sport, critics cite a lack of rigorous research, monitoring and evaluation and urge against oversimplified notions of sport. The academic sector, with expertise in research, teaching and learning, is well positioned to fill this gap. This study contributes to SDP as an emerging field by exploring the role(s) of the academic sector, in particular universities. The study focuses on South Africa, with an overview of the policy environment and institutional arrangements for Sport and Recreation. The study analyses the way in which various South African universities are engaged in SDP. Qualitative methods of data collection were used, including key informant interviews, focus group discussions, desk-top review and document analysis. The study found academic institutions can strengthen research, teaching and learning in SDP and help inform evidence-based practice and policy. Better collaboration is needed within and between the academic sector, government and civil society as well as an improved North-South exchange for universities

Understanding the needs and challenges of a Black community in South Africa

This article reports on a study conducted with an unemployed group of community members residing in the Gugulethu Township in South Africa. The study aimed to gain an in-depth understanding of their needs and challenges, and what they thought could be done to assist and empower them so that they could improve their lives. Their basic human needs were violated during apartheid and as a consequence, they are still battling poverty today. We offer suggestions on how Black communities in South Africa could be supported and empowered in order to become employable and self-reliant.IBSS

Monitoring and evaluation of sports as a tool in HIV/AIDS awareness programmes: Experiences of five selected Non- Governmental Organisations in South Africa

Sport has increasingly been used as a vehicle for Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) awareness programmes, and the use of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) has become evident in the performance assessment of sport and development as well as HIV/AIDS programmes. The aim of this study is to explore the experiences of selected Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in monitoring and evaluation of their sport-based HIV/AIDS awareness programmes in South Africa. A qualitative study was carried out among employees of 5 selected NGOs that integrate sport with delivering HIV/AIDS awareness programmes in South Africa. Data were collected through a review of documents, key informant interviews (N=7) and a focus group discussion (N=7). Thematic approach following a descriptive framework was used to analyse data. The findings revealed that the selected NGOs in this study focus on similar HIV prevention messages linked to the key priorities highlighted in the current National Strategic Plan for HIV, sexually transmitted infections and tuberculosis of South Africa. However, monitoring and evaluation of outcomes of the NGOs’ HIV/AIDS awareness programmes remain a challenge. Of the five selected NGOs, only one has proven to have substantial documents and reports on monitoring and evaluation outcomes. Lack of M&E functions, as well as outcomes indicators, are critical elements limiting NGOs in demonstrating the outcomes of these HIV/AIDS awareness programmes. Capacity building on M&E is required to support the NGOs in being able to reflect accurate information on their sport-based HIV/AIDS activities and improve the M&E of their programmes.DHE

Reflection on an interprofessional community-based participatory research project

BACKGROUND. A collaborative interprofessional research project that involved community members was beneficial to community development. OBJECTIVE. To draw upon the experiences of academics relating to their involvement in an interprofessional community-based participatory research (CBPR) project. METHODS. A Delphi study was applied as a self-reflective evaluation process to reach consensus on the lessons learnt from participation in a CBPR project. Round one of the Delphi employed closed-ended questions and the responses were analysed descriptively using Microsoft Excel (USA). The second round consisted mainly of open-ended questions and responses, and was analysed qualitatively. Ethical clearance was obtained from the University of the Western Cape research committee. RESULTS. Based on round one of the Delphi study, it became evident that recognition of the community as a unit of identity, addressing health from physical, emotional and social perspectives and formation of long-term commitments were the CBPR principles most applied. Disseminating information to all partners and facilitation of the collaborative equitable involvement of all partners in all phases of the research were the principles least applied. Themes that emerged from the second round of the Delphi included the identification of clear objectives based on the needs of the community, a shift from identification of the needs of the community to the implementation of strategies, and the creation of capacity-building opportunities for all stakeholders. CONCLUSION. In a reflection on the research process, the interprofessional team of academics found that the basics of CBPR should be attended to first. A focus on clear objectives, implementation strategies and capacity building is important in CBPR.DHE

Sport, peacemaking and conflict resolution: a contextual analysis and modelling of the sport, development and peace sector

International audienceIn recent years, a wide variety of organizations (notably the UN and nongovernmental ones) have used sport as an interventionist tool to nurture peacemaking across divided communities. This paper examines and theorizes these peacemaking initiatives across the expanding 'sport, development and peace' (SDP) sector. I begin by locating SDP projects within their historical contexts, and as significant elements within the emerging 'global civil society'. I then set out three ideal-type models of SDP project; namely, the 'technical', 'dialogical', and 'critical'. Each model is examined through a set of common social heuristics, such as its core objectives and paradigmatic methods. The models may be employed to analyze other peacemaking and development fields. The first two models are most influential among existing SDP projects; the potential benefits of the 'critical' model are also outlined

Going to Scale? A critique of the role of the public sector in sport for development and peace in South Africa

The Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) field has grown rapidly, but still faces certain theoretical and practical limitations. This study analyses the role of the public sector in SDP, examining how it can best work with other stakeholders and partners to ensure sport is optimised as a vehicle for social change. The study examines public sector engagement in SDP in South Africa, using a parallel mixed methods approach, including key informant interviews, surveys, document analysis and observation. Findings show that state led SDP initiatives can achieve results but improved outcomes are more likely if partnerships exist within government and with other organs of society. It is recommended the state plays a strategic and regulatory role, focusing less on service delivery while providing greater leadership and direction in coordinating efforts related to SDP. Teamwork is vital.Keywords: Sport; Governance; State; Civil Society; Development; Intersectora

Unlocking the potential of sport for youth wellness and development

status: publishe