Parliament, Friday, 6 December 2024 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr Joe McGluwa, has noted the South African Rugby Union (SARU) members' vote, which went against the proposed equity deal with an American company.
Mr McGluwa said the vote, lost by one, was an indication of the importance of proper and adequate consultation processes. “It does not seem SARU was able to convince its member unions to support the deal. The committee notes this development and calls on all other sporting associations to take note of the importance of transparency on matters as crucial as this for survival of the sports,” he said.
The committee was only briefed on Wednesday about the deal, but still information was not provided for confidentiality reasons. Mr McGluwa said members frustrations and concerns on Wednesday were valid, and that point was made clearly at SARU members vote today.
“SARU has a chance now to go back to the drawing board and look at better ways to achieve what they wanted to achieve through this deal, which is to capitalise the commercial entity of SARU without compromising on rugby programmes, and any ground on any of the things that make us South Africans, including the Springbok emblem and our national colours,” said Mr McGluwa.
The committee supports by any means SARU’s stated desire to improve off-field revenue sources through piggybacking on the Boks successes. “All of this work should be accompanied with farsightedness that would not leave the company indebted in any way or form to outsiders who have just identified a sophisticated way to make a quick buck,” the Chairperson said.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON SPORT, ARTS AND CULTURE, MR JOE MCGLUWA.
For media inquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Name: Mr Sibongile Maputi
Cell: 081 052 6060
Email: smaputi@parliament.gov.za
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