Lack of guidelines negatively impacts local artists
The Portfolio Committee on Arts and Culture is concerned by the continuing lack of clear guidelines attached to funding allocations given for cultural events by the Department of Arts and Culture. The Committee is concerned that the lack of these guidelines has an adverse effect to local artists as they are often shunned by organisers.
“We have observed over a period of time a worrying trend that many local artists are not used during cultural events affecting their livelihoods. It is even more worrying that in events organised in different provinces, the same pool of artists are used, to the detriment of other more local artist,” said Ms Xoliswa Tom, the Chairperson of the Committee.
The Committee is of the view that the best remedy to this situation is for the department to have clear guidelines on the quota of local artists to be used in all cultural events it funds. This will go a long way in ensuring that local artists are developed and will ensure active participation within the economy.
Meanwhile, the Committee remains concerned that despite the deadline of implementation of the Use of Official Languages Act having passed, there are still government departments and entities that have not fully complied with the Act. The Committee views the implementation of this Act as paramount in running an inclusive government through information.
It is then worrying that some departments and entities have not even created language units that are necessary to drive the law. The Committee urges all government departments and entities to move with speed to remedy this situation. This will guarantee adherence to the Constitution.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Malatswa Evans Molepo (Mr)
Tel: (021) 403-8438
Cell: 081 512 7920
E-mail: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za
