“We have made the point that arts and culture remains the vital cog on our agenda to build a nation state that is united, non racial, non sexist and democratic”.
This is according to the MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Lebogang Maile as he tabled his department’s budget vote determined to take the Arts sector (including heritage) to a higher level.
With the current economic strain affecting global economic growth, it is the arts or creative industries that has continued to do well in contributing to the sustenance a lot of economies across the globe.
Cultural Affairs has been allocated R81.994 million which covers the areas of: Creative Industries, Creative Arts, Heritage, Gauteng Film Commission and Libraries, Archival and Information Services.
Creative Industries Development Framework
A total R14.830million has been allocated towards the implementation of the recently approved strategies on Music, Performing and Visual Arts and Crafts.
According to MEC Maile the framework “is our guide in the agenda for taking forward the Mzansi Golden Economy strategy. We are gearing towards implementation of the recently approved Creative Industries sub sector strategies for music, performing and visual arts and craft”, said MEC.
For Crafts, among others the framework will see the continued operation and increased impact provided by the three craft hubs established by the department. The hubs include the Glass Beads project, Ceramics project and the Recycling and Local Market Access project located in different areas across the province.
The Live music performance industry is an integral and major part of the golden economic development which has proved to contribute to the stimulation of economic activity and jobs. To realise this atleast 7 Premier events have been identified for support: These include Joy of Jazz; Summer Splash; Music of the 80’s extravaganza; Spring Day Music Explosion; Back to the City Hip Hop Festival; Feather Awards and Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition. These are expected to also benefit various related industries including local tourism.
For developing artists the department will strengthen the Puisano Live music programme which in the last financial year had 177 musicians participating in the auditions and 154 musicians participating in the showcases.
Having hosted the Gauteng Carnival for the past few years the 2012 edition will be elevated into one of the premier and signature event in the Gauteng’s entertainment calendar of which the street parade will culminate into a music festival at Orlando Stadium.
Creative Arts
An allocation of R3.830 million for the Arts Mass participation programme will see the strengthening of the performance arts including programmes like the Ishashalazi Theatre, Poetry, Traditional and Motjeko Dance programmes.
Among others the iShashalazi programme has had different actors coming through it who went on to appear on programmes such as Rhythm City, Home Affairs, Yizo Yizo and Zone 14 including Mduduzi Mabaso (Rhythm City), Molobane Mbatha (Home Affairs), Israel Makoe (Yizo Yizo and Zone 14).
Gauteng Film Commission
The Commission has just been recently moved into the Department with the aim to streamline and consolidate the creative industries. It (commission) has thus been allocated a total of R23.4 million to support the filming talent and explore Gauteng’s filming potential.
According to MEC Maile “192 films were shot in Gauteng in the last financial year and overall the commission has provided skills development opportunities to 843 film makers”, said the MEC.
Libraries, Archival and Information Services
An amount of R69.234million has been made available for the Library and Archival function. This is for the construction of 3 new Libraries within the current financial year as the department looks forward to meeting the target to build 20 new Libraries by 2014.
Programme of action
The Province has identified flagship heritage projects which have been prioritised for implementation:
Completion and unveiling of: Women’s monument June 16 Youth Monument Kagiso Memorial Park and Youth Centre Boipatong Memorial and Youth Centre
Pursuing the process of changing of Sauer Street in the Johannesburg CBD. Completion of feasibility study and business plan for the establishment of the Gauteng Archives Centre in partnership with the Gauteng Funding Agency.
Conclusion
The budget presentation by MEC Maile takes into consideration the tremendous progress in the task of executing the department’s mandate with regards to the arts. On behalf of the department the MEC has expressed his belief that the department is on course to achieve much more. According to him the strengthening of partnerships between the department (representing government), business and civil society will allow the sector to grow and reach new heights.
Media inquiries
Nino Zama
Cell: 083 554 1971
E-mail: nino.zama@gauteng.gov.za
Gauteng’s Arts and Culture gets a major boost in MEC Maile’s budget presentation
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