called the "party department" of government by Minister of Arts and Culture, Dr
Pallo Jordan
6 November 2006
Over the last few years the Department of Arts and Culture has wrongly
assumed the profile of being perceived to be the "entertainment wing of
government." This is because part of its mandate is to manage and stage Freedom
Day celebrations and the observance of Heritage Day, to name a few.
I wish to state it categorically that arts and culture is not just about so
called "entertainment." The deliberate distortion of our profile is meant to
not only mislead the public but project us as the "party department", as one
newspaper labelled us recently. The unfortunate result is that this undermines
the central role arts and culture plays in the government's programme of action
in nation building, transformation, wealth creation and economic
empowerment.
In the last two years that I have been Minister of Arts and Culture there
has been numerous occasions for us to host and sponsor project specific and
national events to highlight and create top of mind awareness about the nature
of our work. Although largely successful in bringing us to public
consciousness, this has not prevented us being seen as a wasteful Department
that has spent R-millions without justification.
Before 2002 we were still seen as a little insignificant part of Department
of Science, Technology, Arts and Culture.
I have decided to give proper context and meaning to the work that we do and
hopefully shatter the myth that we indulge in fruitless expenditure. Arts and
culture is relevant and important to the government's programme to build social
cohesion, nurture a new spirit of national unity, contribute to transformation,
create employment and encourage artists to see the sector as an important tool
towards economic self-liberation.
While there is still great work that needs to be done to do away with the
view that we are a "party department", perhaps the starting point should be to
list all the events, their nature and the budget that was allocated for them
since 2002. These are the following:
* Telephone Interpreting Service of South Africa (TISSA) launch
The TISSA was launched at the Katlehong Police Station. I made the first
TISSA call from this Station.
The cost of the event was R300 000. Budgeted under programme 3: National
Language Service
* North Sea Jazz Festival and Deputy Minister's lunch with stakeholders
Invitations were sent out to 100 guests for the two days. A lunch was hosted
by the Deputy Minister for the stakeholders.
The cost of the event was R73 500. Budgeted under programme 2: Arts and
Culture in Society.
* Deputy Minister's breakfast with arts and culture journalists
The media were invited to a breakfast with the Deputy Minister to brief them
on the developments with regard to the 2002 National Freedom Day celebrations,
the National Dance Troupe Project and the introduction of new National
Orders.
The cost of the event was R3 450. Budgeted under programme 1:
Administration.
* African Unity (AU) Summit
The official launch of the AU Summit was managed by my Department. A
cultural programme, film festival, exhibitions and decoration were elements of
the event.
The cost of the event was R145 400. Budgeted under programme 4: Cultural
Development and International Co-operation.
* Interment of Sarah Bartman
The interment took place in the Eastern Cape. It involved the relevant
Khoi-San Community.
The cost of the event was R1 132 000. Budgeted under programme 5: Heritage
Promotion.
* TISSA: Sign Language lunch
A TISSA Sign Language Project was launched in Cape Town at the Deaf
Community Hall. The event included the first deaf call to be made for this
project. The cost of the event was R48 500.
Budgeted under programme 3: National Language Service.
* International network on cultural policy
The event took place in Cape Town and involved an informal opening ceremony,
a banquet at the Castle of Good Hope, a visit to the Baxter Theatre and a tour
to two wine farms as part of a social programme. A spousal programme was also
part of the event with an extensive promotional item responsibility.
The cost of the event was R1 105 294. Budgeted under programme 1:
Administration.
* Heritage Consultative Forum
A workshop was arranged to discuss the South African Heritage Resource
Agency Act and Geographical Place Names Act.
The cost of the event was R66 000. Budgeted under programme 5: Heritage
Promotion.
* Deputy Minister's stakeholder lunch with the film industry
The Deputy Minister hosted a lunch in Cape Town to coincide with the
Sithengi Film Market.
The cost of the event was R73 500. Budgeted under programme 4: Cultural
Development and International Co-operation.
* Banquet for the outgoing National Film and Video Fund (NFVF) board
The Deputy Minister hosted a banquet at Lanzerac Wine Estate to thank the
outgoing board of the NFVF for the valuable contributions they had made to the
film industry.
The cost of the event was R71 710,74. Budgeted under programme 4: Cultural
Development and International Co-operation.
* Ministerial breakfast with arts and culture journalists
I invited arts and culture journalists to a media breakfast. The topics were
the language policy and plan and the national geographical place names
database.
The cost of the event was R3 450. Budgeted under programme 3: National
Language Service and programme 5: Heritage Promotion.
* National Orders Awards Ceremony 2002
The awards ceremony took place at the Union Buildings. My Department was
responsible for the artistic director and support, decoration, documentaries,
banners, citations and scrolls of tribute.
The cost of the event was R1 500 000. Budgeted under programme 6: National
Archives, Records, Meta-Information and Heraldic Services.
* TAMA 2003 Language Conference
The conference took place in Sandton with approximately 250 delegates. A
cocktail function and banquet formed part of the event.
The cost of the event was R800 000. Budgeted under programme 3: National
Language Service.
* Launch of the National Language Policy and Plan Conference
A conference was held for language practitioners in South Africa. The
conference made available the implementation strategy for the language policy
and plan. A cocktail function and cultural performance also formed part of the
arrangements.
The cost of the event was R150 000. Budgeted under programme 3: National
Language Service.
* 2003 North Sea Jazz Festival
My Department hosted 100 invited dignitaries per night at a hospitality tent
for two nights. It also involved corporate gifts and catering.
The cost of the event was R20 000. Budgeted under programme 2: Arts and
Culture in Society.
* Welcoming of the new Deputy Minister and Director-General of the
Department
Officials of the Department were invited to a welcoming function for the new
Deputy Minister and Director-General.
The cost of the event was R50 000. Budgeted under programme 1:
Administration.
* Farewell function of Mrs Mabandla as Deputy Minister of Arts, Culture,
Science and Technology
Officials of the Department were invited to bid farewell to the outgoing
Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, Science and Technology.
The cost of the event was R74 210. Budgeted under programme 1:
Administration.
* Southern African Development Community (SADC) Multi-Disciplinary
Festival
South Africa hosted the first ever SADC Multi-Disciplinary Festival. Twelve
countries participated in the festival (520 participants).
The cost of the event was R4 500 000. Budgeted under programme 4: Cultural
Development and International Co-operation.
* Ministerial programme to coincide with the SADC Multi-Disciplinary
Festival
A Ministerial colloquium formed part of the SADC Festival. It was attended
by six visiting ministers from Swaziland, Namibia, Lesotho, Mozambique,
Mauritius and Zambia.
The cost of the event was R4 427 590. Budgeted under programme 4: Cultural
Development and International Co-operation.
* Inclusion of SADC Festival participants in the Africa Day celebrations
parade
The SADC Festival participants took part in a parade from Mary Fitzgerald
Square to the Johannesburg Athletic Stadium. It was a parade of approximately
seven kilometres.
The cost of the event was R192 163,22. Budgeted under programme 4: Cultural
Development and International Co-operation.
* Launch of the South African-Mali Manuscripts Project
The project was launched with a cocktail function at the Presidential Guest
House. It was hosted by then Deputy Minister Sonjica and Minister Essop Pahad.
Fund raising for the project was also launched at this event.
The cost of the event was R48 000. Budgeted under programme 6: National
Archives, Records, Meta-Information and Heraldic Services.
* Language Consultative Conference
The conference was held in Benoni with approximately 250 delegates. It also
involved a banquet with the Deputy President being the guest of honour. I
hosted the banquet.
The cost of the event was R954 450. Budgeted under programme 3: National
Language Service.
* Arts and culture bosberaad with senior management of the Department and
Ministries
A bosberaad was held for all senior managers of my Department to synergise
activities as well as to streamline the objectives of the Department. The
bosberaad was held at the Farm Inn, Pretoria. An informal braai was included in
the programme.
The cost of the event was R85 000. Budgeted under programme 1:
Administration.
* Heritage Month celebrations launch
The event took place at the Transvaal Museum in Pretoria. The Department's
plans for Heritage Month were made known. The event included cultural and
heritage exhibitions and cultural performances.
The cost of the event was R49 820. Budgeted under programme 4: National
Language Service.
* Tribute to Sarah Bartman
A French delegation of 10 senators requested to pay tribute to Sarah Bartman
at her gravesite. The event started off with a formal programme in the cultural
centre in Humansdorp where the Deputy Minister officiated. Wreaths were also
laid at the gravesite in Hankey.
The cost of the event was R65 219. Budgeted under programme 5: Heritage
Promotion.
* Minister's Imbizo � Mpumalanga, Limpopo and Deputy Minister's Imbizo in
Free State, October 2006
The Minister's Imbizo took place near Middelburg, Mpumalanga. It involved
cultural performances, question and answer time as well as lunch for the public
and invited guests. Similar events took place in Thohoyandou, Giyani and
Bloemfontein.
The costs of these events were R364 350.Budgeted under programme 1:
Administration.
* Deputy Minister's Imbizo, in Eastern Cape 2003
The Deputy Minister's Imbizo took place in Humansdorp, Eastern Cape. It
involved cultural performances, question and answer time as well as lunch for
the public and invited guests.
The cost of the event was R259 350. Budgeted under programme 1:
Administration.
* Pre-International Council of the Round Table on Archives (CITRA)
Workshop
A pre-conference workshop was held for South African archive workers in
Pretoria before the main CITRA Conference. It also involved a visit to the
Sterkfontein Caves and an informal braai.
The cost of the event was R141 070. Budgeted under programme 6: National
Archives, Records, Meta-Information and Heraldic Services.
* CITRA Conference
The conference was held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
Sixty countries attended the conference. It also involved an extensive social
programme. A Ministerial programme formed part of the conference and nine
Ministers from the SADC attended the conference.
The cost of the event was R3 357 053,13. Budgeted under programme 6:
National Archives, Records, Meta-Information and Heraldic Services.
* Minister's Banquet at the Sithengi Film Market
The banquet was hosted in Cape Town. A cultural group performed at the
event.
The cost of the event was R132 100. Budgeted under programme 4: Cultural
Development and International Co-operation.
* Departmental imbizo on reviving Batho Pele Principles
The imbizo took place in Pretoria where staff members were invited to
participate in reviving the Batho Pele Principles and was followed by a finger
lunch.
The cost of the event was R100 000. Budgeted under programme 1:
Administration.
* Minister's Budget Vote dinner
On the eve of my Budget Vote speech in 2006 I hosted a dinner at the Castle
of Good Hope that included a cultural performance.
The cost of the event was R57 090,50. Budgeted under programme 1:
Administration.
* Deputy Minister's Budget Vote dinner
The Deputy Minister hosted a dinner on the eve of my Budget Vote speech in
2006.
The cost of the event was R11 000. Budgeted under programme 1:
Administration.
* National Women's Day celebrations
The National Women's Day celebrations took place in Pretoria from where some
veterans marched to the Union Buildings. Guests were invited to a lunch and the
public were also catered for. A cultural performance took place as well as a
craft exhibition.
The cost of the event was R2 505 271,30. Budgeted under programme 2: Arts
and Culture in Society.
* Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2006
The annual Cape Town International Jazz Festival took place at the Cape Town
International Convention Centre in Cape Town. The Department managed four
hospitality tents in the corporate village.
The cost of the event was R1 200 000. Budgeted under programme 2: Arts and
Culture in Society.
* Cannes Film Festival in France
The Department in partnership with the NFVF participated in the Cannes
Festival, which is a major activity for the world film industries where
business is conducted towards the promotion of the film industry.
The costs of the events were:
2002: R124 546,80
2003: R104 573,39
2004: R175 931,10
2005: R100 481,25
2006: R150 000.
Budgeted under programme 4: Cultural Development and International
Co-operation.
* National Freedom Day celebrations
National Freedom Day is celebrated annually in partnership with the
provincial department that hosts the main event. Guests are invited to lunch or
dinner after the formal programmes. Food packs are also distributed to the
public.
The costs of the events were:
2002: R400 000
2003: R400 000
2004: R13 608 135,97 (10-year celebrations of democracy and freedom)
2005: R400 000
2006: R1 200 000.
Budgeted under programme 2: Arts and Culture in Society.
* Budget Vote speech
My Department's annual Budget Vote speech is normally followed by a cocktail
lunch, exhibition and a cultural performance programme for invited guests.
The costs of the events were:
2002: R84 000
2003: R80 000
2004: R130 800
2005: R54 800
Budgeted under programme 1: Administration.
* National Heritage Day celebrations
My Department is responsible for organising Heritage Day celebrations
annually. It normally comprises an informal programme, a formal programme and a
lunch for distinguished guests and other dignitaries. In some years the public
were also catered for.
The costs of the events were:
2002: R869 261,70
2003: R1 019 835,06
2004: R3 663 867,22
2005: R3 936 300,15
2006: R6 471 087,70.
Budgeted under programme 5: Heritage Promotion.
(2) On the eve of my Budget Vote speech in 2005 a dinner in Kirstenbosch,
Cape Town was sponsored by the Old Mutual Corporate Bank. Sixty guests were
invited.
My Department also hosted a corporate golf day on two occasions. The events
included dinners that were sponsored by BMW and the sponsor's company in full.
Other participating private companies were also invited as guests and they
sponsored the rest of the administration cost of both events.
The Director-General, the Deputy Minister and I have dedicated entertainment
budgets which at no stage have been exceeded by expenditure in each of the
financial years from 2002. This is broken down as follows:
Minister
2002/03: 10 000
2003/04: 12 000
2004/05: 15 000
2005/06: 20 000
2006/07: 25 000
Deputy Minister
2002/03: 7 000
2003/04: 8 000
2004/05: 10 000
2005/06: 15 000
2006/07: 20 000
Director-General
2002/03: 5 000
2003/04: 6 000
2004/05: 7 000
2005/06: 10 000
2006/07: 15 000
In conclusion, it needs to be categorically stated that the Ministry of Arts
and Culture is the "custodian of the nation's soul and collective memory" and
not the "party department" as has been misconstrued.
For further information call:
Sandile Memela
Spokesperson
Cell: 082 800 3750
Premi Appalraju
Media Liaison Officer
Cell: 082 375 2939
Issued by: Department of Arts and Culture
6 November 2006
Source: Department of Arts and Culture (http://www.dac.gov.za/)
