Sport, physical educaton and the millennium development goals in Africa: A review

Abstract

In 2000, 192 member states committed themselves to global values, peace and development by signing the UN Millennium Declaration (UNMD) of 2000. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), based on the UNMD, were approved by the UN in 2001. The purpose of this article is to highlight the importance and role of sport and physical education (SPEd) in the UN sport-for-development and peace projects. The problem focuses on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Africa as well as the role of SPEd. The research was mainly based on a literature study and the research methodology can therefore be typified as a qualitative-interpretative research paradigm. The literature clearly indicates that, according to each of the MDGs, Africa performed the worst (globally) in achieving the Goals between 1990 and 2000. However, the point of departure should be the assumption that the MDGs are feasible until proven otherwise. By endorsing the Olympic Truce it seems that SPEd can be a powerful and cost-effective tool to address health issues, education, sustainable development, peace, communication and partnerships. Although the Department of Sport and Recreation South Africa is well aware of the MDGs and the role that SPEd can play to normalise the South African community, the question remains as to when this paper game is going to end. Since 1959, internationally and nationally, many declarations and recommendations were drafted regarding physical education (PE) and its place in education, but the status quo remains, nothing has changed. This game is killing our children literally and figuratively and nobody seems to care.