President Jacob Zuma today Tuesday, 17 November 2009, met with around 500 representatives of the South African cultural industry in Sandton, Johannesburg.
The President was joined by a number of ministers from relevant departments, including Minister of Arts and Culture Lulu Xingwana, Ministers in the Presidency Collins Chabane and Trevor Manuel, Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan, Minister of Communications Siphiwe Nyanda, Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa, Minister of Higher Education Blade Nzimande, Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture Paul Mashatile, and Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Andries Nel.
The meeting follows interactions in November 2008 and April 2009, where artists and cultural workers raised issues of concern with the President. Today's meeting provided an opportunity for government leaders to give feedback on these issues, and for artists to raise further suggestions on how this industry can be further developed and promoted.
Issues previously raised included inadequate local content in the country’s broadcast products, copyright issues, defining artists as workers, social security, tax problems and the need to fight piracy.
"The cultural industry sector is a very important partner in our drive to build a social and cultural identity for our nation," President Zuma said. He encouraged artists to unite to advance their interests: "It makes it difficult to work with the sector as there is no single structure that government should work with. Unity will also enable artists to engage the industry, especially recording company to discuss desired transformation."
In a frank discussion, participants raised concerns about the working conditions of artists. This includes concerns that existing tax laws do not take account of the irregular nature of cultural work. Participants said the financial stability of artists was undermined because, in many instances, artists do not have ownership of their intellectual property. There were complaints of exploitation of artists by producers and 'middle men'.
Piracy was also cited as a major problem undermining the sustainability of cultural industries. There was a call for the police to establish a special unit to deal specifically with piracy. Government funding of arts came under scrutiny. Some participants complained that public funding structures and programmes have not changed sufficiently to reflect the realities of a democratic South Africa.
There was also uncertainty about the criteria that provincial departments of arts and culture used to disburse funds. Nepotism and cronyism in some of these departments were also mentioned as serious problems. Government was not providing sufficient support to disabled artists, nor investing in cultural infrastructure.
The development of arts and culture was another matter under discussion. Among the issues that hampered progress were the unwillingness of some education departments and principals to implement arts and culture curricula in schools.
"For our young democracy to continue to grow, our artists must play their constructive critical role in informing society and invoking debate through their beautiful works. The cultural industry must prove, just like sports that it can be a sustainable form of making a living," President Zuma said.
For comments and sound bites please contact:
Vincent Magwenya
President's Spokesperson
Cell: 072 715 0024
Issued by: The Presidency
17 November 2009
Source: The Presidency (http://www.thepresidency.gov.za)
