The DA in Ekurhuleni welcomes the Metro’s Decision to Re-Evaluate the Content of X Box Games in the City’s Libraries
by Ald. Dean Stone, DA Spokesperson for Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture (SHRAC) in Ekurhuleni
Date: 14 September 2023
Release: Immediate
Type: Press Statement
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ekurhuleni welcomes the Head of Department for Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture (SHRAC), Ms. Zanele Katembo and the Director for Libraries, Ms. Karin Muller decision to re-evaluate the tender for the X Box games for three of its libraries that would have been procured in the new financial year.
After a lengthy debate on the item in the SHRAC Oversight Committee Meeting, the DA insisted that there should be a control mechanism in place to ensure that the type of games being procured through the grant received by the Gauteng Provincial Government is not of a violent nature. The concerns raised by the committee were that certain games may incite violence or lead to inappropriate behaviours in minors who may become exposed to explicit and violent gaming content. Concerns were also raised around the tender itself which amounted to R200 000, which was considered exorbitant for the procurement of gaming equipment.
The tender included games such as Call of Duty, Mortal Kombat II, FIFA 2023, Minecraft Dungeons and other games that have no educational value.
Although we understand the social value of games such as Fifa 2023, Minecraft and Chess, the DA members of the committee were adamant that no games with age restrictions be procured by the Department and that all games with violent content be removed from libraries and replaced with games that teach and impart knowledge and have the greatest educational value. There are various games that aim to promote hand and eye coordination, problem solving, strategic thinking, improved memory, and brain development that should be considered in the place of the more popular games on the market.
A moratorium was since placed on the procurement of the said games and terms of reference for the tender has been re-evaluated.
We look forward to more educational games being procured and will ensure that age restrictions are strictly enforced.
Youth are encouraged to increasingly make use of these services at our libraries as we make our into an increasingly digital and industrialised world.
Ald. Dean Stone
DA Spokesperson for Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture (SHRAC) in Ekurhuleni
082 806 4584
