Overview of CSI spend on sports development 2025

National context  

• The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) was allocated R6.3 billion in 2025/26, constituting 0.2% of the consolidated government expenditure of R2.59 trillion for the year. Of this, Recreation Development and Sport Promotion was allocated R1.2 billion, including R627 million for sports equipment and attire for schools, hubs and clubs; R24 million for the construction of 30 community outdoor gyms and children’s play parks in municipal open spaces; R53 million to support 208 school sports programmes at the district level, enhancing school-based leagues and competitions; and R72 million to enable 5 000 learners to participate in the National School Sports Championships. 
• In 2025, in its annual performance plan briefing, the DSAC estimated that sport contributes 4.2% to GDP and sustains approximately 1.1 million jobs, representing between 7% and 8% of the country’s employment. 
• In September 2024, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and DSAC signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a collaborative framework between the departments to implement extracurricular programmes, including school sports programmes, throughout the country. Under this agreement, R250 million was allocated in 2025/26 to enhance school sports programmes. 
• The Women in Sport Policy Framework was approved by cabinet in December 2024. It addresses gender disparities in participation, leadership, governance and visibility, and promotes equal pay, professional recognition and structured programmes to overcome barriers such as funding and sponsorship gaps. 
• An impact analysis of the 2024 edition of the SA20 cricket tournament, which drew in sponsorship and funding from India and other countries, found that the event generated total direct expenditure of R1.5 billion, up from R1.4 billion in 2023. 

Overview of CSI spend  

Sports development was supported by 30% of companies and received 2% of average CSI expenditure. 

• Multidisciplinary sport continued to receive the highest percentage of funding in this sector, averaging 32% in 2025 (compared to 33% in 2024).  
• Soccer received the second-largest share of CSI funding for sports development at 15% in 2025, a decline from 22% in 2024. 
• Twelve percent of average CSI spend for sports development went to other sporting codes, while 10% consisted of non-specific general donations in 2025. 
• All other sporting codes received an average allocation of less than 10% in 2025: athletics (9%), basketball and netball (6%), cricket (5%), cycling (5%) and water-based sports (5%). Rugby was the least supported sporting code at only 1% on average. 

Source: The original version of this article was published in the Trialogue Business in Society Handbook 2025 (28th edition).