Transformational-infrastructure keys to equality and inclusivity in sports: Policy trajectory in post-apartheid South African sports

Abstract

The extent and effectiveness of transformation in two South African sports and how policy implementation changed the sporting landscape and quality of sport development post-1994 was examined. A mixed-methods approach for data collection and analysis in four South African provinces was adopted. Purposive sampling and random selection of 743 respondents occurred for qualitative and quantitative surveys issued concurrently to solicit data. The findings showed little improvement and minimal advancement in sports development in the townships, due mainly to infrastructural challenges among other mitigating factors against inclusive growth since 1994. About 98% of the stakeholders interviewed alluded to the lack of management, budgetary allocation from government, corporate funding models and support systems affecting the state of  infrastructural development in previously disadvantaged communities and the poor state of facilities inherited from the past. Consequently, little or no interest has been shown by community members in prioritising sport. An economy scale of preference over multipurpose usage of facilities should be determined, which has blocked and stunted development of other games, while hostile takeovers of some communities’ sports’  infrastructures were among multiple factors reported negatively in the survey. The study recommended public-private policy networking and partnership for infrastructural development that is inclusive.

Keywords: Inclusion; Philosophical concept of sport; Policy implementation; Social concept of sport; Sport-transformation; Structured infrastructure diversity.