The three Arts and Culture Statutory Bodies are geared towards deepening and changing the arts and culture landscape in the Free State.
These Statutory Bodies are: the Provincial Geographical Names Committee (PGNC); the Provincial Arts and Culture Council (PACC) and the Free State Heritage Resources Authority (FSHRA).
Provincial Geographical Names Committee
The PGNC is established in terms of section 2 (2) of the South African Geographical Names Council Act 118 of 1998. Committee members are appointed by the Member of the Executive Council for Arts and Culture. These members are experts in languages, geographical names, tourism and mapping. They also include representatives from Local Municipalities and the House of Traditional Leaders.
The main function of the PGNC is to make recommendation on name changes to the South African Geographical Names Council. The PGNC must consult with Local Authorities and other stakeholders in their recommendation for name changes. The names that are considered by the PGNC for change include those that are blasphemous, indecent, offensive, vulgar, discriminatory or derogatory.
Provincial Arts and Culture Council
The objective of the PACC is to create an enabling environment for the ongoing development of arts and culture in the Free State. To this end the PACC has embarked on the following:
1) Identification and documentation of Free State arts and culture. This entails research, data gathering and documentation of artists and art forms which are intrinsic to the Free State;
2) Skills training;
3) Provision of facilities for the development of neglected arts and culture;
4) Development of arts, cultures and languages;
5) Production and audience development;
6) Employment and income generation;
7) Growth to excellence and self-sustainability;
8) Maintaining the existing pool of arts and culture in the Free State; and
9) Affirmative action and redress.
All arts and culture groups, individuals and practitioners in the arts sector in the Free State are eligible to apply for grants from the PACC and funding is allocated based on a certain criteria.
Free State Heritage Resources Authority
The FSHRA was established in terms of Act 25 of 1999 section 23. The FSHRA, as a provincial heritage resources authority, is responsible for the identification and management of heritage resources in the Free State, which, in a provincial context, have special significance. A heritage resource is a place or object of cultural significance.
A heritage site can either be a national heritage site [if declared as such by the South African Heritage Resources Authority (the “SAHRA”) or a provincial heritage site if so declared by a provincial heritage resources authority. Heritage resources have lasting value, are finite, non-renewable and irreplaceable. The FSHRA has the competence to grant or refuse permits.
Public Education programme:
The three bodies will in the next coming three weeks embark on the public education programme about their functions and programmes. Free State communities are invited to tune in to the regional and local community radio stations for discussions on the functions and programmes of the three statutory bodies.
Enquiries:
Tankiso Zola
Tel: 051 410 4742/4786/4719
Jeff Mphumela
Tel: 051 410 4727
