127363 Gauteng Sports 2020.indb

GAUTENG DEPARTMENT OF SPORT, ARTS, CULTUREAND RECREATION: VOTE 12

In the interim, the department is expanding access to library services and programmes through ICT infrastructure. ICT has played a key role in providing access, security and information through the introduction of the Gauteng Broadband Network (GBN) and upgrading of the Local Area Network (LAN) infrastructure to support demand for the services that will run on the network. This initiative is intended to enhance access to information through modern technologies. This will in turn contribute to improving the quality of life of communities since the project is meant to go beyond access to strengthening the public libraries in South Africa. In preparation for this initiative, network infrastructure and supporting elements need to be installed. The areas of focus for the department are municipal library sites in the West Rand and Sedibeng District. Although the attention is on developing local municipalities to adhere to the benchmarked metropolitan library sites, the department’s ICT division has continued to provide services to library sites through transferring funds to improve and maintain ICT infrastructure; the department has also initiated projects with a direct in À uence through the APP and Business Plan targets. ARCHIVES The Provincial Archives and Records Service was established in 2004 and the Gauteng Provincial Archives and Records Services Bill Policy Proposal was approved in 2011. The Gauteng Provincial Archives and Records Services legislation was developed in 2012 and this led to the promulgation of the Gauteng Archives and Records Service Act (Act No. 5 of 2013). The Regulations for the Gauteng Provincial Archives and Records Service Act, 2013 (Act No 5 of 2013) were enacted in 2015. The Gauteng Provincial Archives Repository was built in Kagiso Ext 6 and was of ¿ cially opened on 24 October 2018. All records created during the normal business activity of a governmental body, including those created by contractors, are the property of that governmental body until they are either destroyed or transferred to an archival repository. About 10% of records generated by governmental bodies are

of Administrative Justice Act of 2000 (PAJA) and it can include research, public hearings or meetings, written submissions and oral submissions etc. Members of the public are encouraged to participate and co-operate with relevant structures during consultation processes at local and provincial level. The GGNC is responsible for processing requests and drive projects across the province in terms of naming and renaming streets, parks, public buildings, community libraries, provincial roads and off-ramps after consultation with all stakeholders through relevant municipalities. The GGNC will conduct outreach programmes with communities to ensure compliance and adherence to the prescripts and conditions for naming and renaming processes. Progress has been made towards funding the library services rendered by municipalities and the Gauteng Provincial Treasury is aware of the funding required by library and information services. Gauteng has not been in a position to absorb the full constitutional responsibility to fully fund the library and information services function to cater for the increasing population that adds pressure on the province and on municipalities for improved service delivery. A number of factors, principally due to the economic downturn, put serve pressure on the provincial ¿ scus and there are no additional resources that can be allocated to these services. Municipalities continued funding two important aspects of library services: paying staff salaries and maintenance of infrastructure, buildings and grounds. Library staff do not ¿ t into the municipal organograms resulting into major salary disparities between local government and province. The “really stretched” municipalities are cutting back on library budgets which leads to cuts in staff and opening hours and even closure of libraries. Municipalities are gradually handing most of the library function back to province in order to prioritise basic municipal services such as water, cleansing and sewage. PROGRAMME 3: LIBRARIES AND ARCHIVES

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ANNUAL REPORT 2019/20