2022 Budget Vote Speech By The Minister Of Sport, Arts And Culture, Hon. Nathi Mthethwa
House Chairperson,
Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Hon Nocawe Mafu,
Ministers and other Deputy Ministers here present,
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee of Sport, Arts and Culture Hon Beauty Dlulane,
Honourable Members,
Chairpersons and Chief Executives of Public Entities,
Distinguished Guests
Members of the Media
Ladies and Gentlemen
1.0 Introduction
This budget vote debate takes place during Africa Month as declared by Cabinet of the Republic in 2015. It is a month where we highlight and celebrate our Africaness in a true Pan-African spirit. In so doing we salute our forebears who founded the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) now African Union (AU) on the 25th of May 1963.
I want to single out the late former President of Tanzania, Julius Kambarage Mwalimu Nyerere. President Nyerere would have turned 100 years of age this year had he lived. We will continue to honour their legacy by ensuring the total integration of Africa and unity amongst all Africans.
Since South Africa started celebrating Africa Month 7 years ago, 36 countries across our continent have participated in different programs and one of the key programmes is the exchange of ideas mainly led by our public intellectuals. We refer to this part of our programme as the festival of ideas. Over this period we had the honour of having literary giants as Minister’s guests of honour. We can mention Ben Okri, Wole Soyinka, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, Mireille Fanon Mendès, amongst others. The Africa Month program has now been elevated to a continental level. This was occasioned by the AU 5th Pan-African Cultural Congress in 2018 adopting it as its flagship program. We are grateful and feel honoured by this gesture from our continental body, the AU.
2.0 COVID-19 Pandemic
COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc to humanity the world over for the past 24 months or so. South Africa was not spared of such as it is part of the global community. The South African sport and creative industries have been the hardest hit by the devastating pandemic.
Government’s response through relief, grants and the Presidential Economic Stimulus Package went a long way in softening the negative impact of COVID-19 in our society. This said, we acknowledge that not all benefited from such interventions by government. This is so because of the finite/limited financial resources at the disposal of the state. We tried to stretch the rand as far as we possibly could. Over this period, the Department has supported athletes, artists, and their organisations financially to the tune of R808 million benefiting 59,224 artists and athletes with 37,556 jobs created and retained.
In our endeavour to open up the sector again, in order to guarantee livelihoods, the Department under the stewardship of the Presidency led by the Deputy President initiated a campaign “Return to Play, It is in Your Hands”. The campaign’s roadshow covered 7 provinces, with the key objective of getting the nation to vaccinate. We thank the partnership we forged with both the sporting, creative and the private sectors for their contribution in driving the campaign. We are not out of the woods yet in terms of COVID-19, hence we say all hands on deck with the vaccination drive and encourage those who have not yet vaccinated to do so, because it is the right thing to do.
In the past two years, not all was doom and gloom, South African arts practitioners and artists remained true to their skill-set and continued to beat the odds. By so doing, they lifted the spirit of the nation when everyone was going through hardships.
We therefore acknowledge the perseverance and excellence of South African practitioners and artists who continue to raise the flag of South Africa high particularly on the international front, such as:
- Thuso Mbedu – 2021 Hollywood Critic’s inaugural Association Awards Winner for her performance as Cora in Underground Railroad, and the 2022 Independent Spirit Awards Winner for Best Female Performance in a Scripted Series.
- Prof Pitika Ntuli – 2021 Global Fine Arts People’s Choice Award Winner.
- DJ Black Coffee (Nkosinathi Maphumulo) – 2022 Grammy Award Winner at its 64th annual chapter at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
- Mandla Dube directed a world renown “Silverton Siege”, a story on the fervent offensive by MK cadres fighting for the release of Nelson Mandela. This iconic piece premiered at Sun City and was further shown in 192 countries in April 2022.
3.0 Arts, Culture, Promotion and Development (ACPD)
The Department continues to discover, develop and promote arts and culture in line with the Freedom Charter which declares “The doors of learning and culture shall be opened!”.
It continues, “The government shall discover, develop and encourage national talent for the enhancement of the cultural life”. Our approach to achieve the Freedom Charter’s injunction is the implementation of Mzansi Golden Economy strategy.
Since 2011, the MGE has supported more than 30,000 creatives across the spectrum to pursue their craft. The strategy is executed through five pillars, which are: The Research (by South African Cultural Observatory), Touring Ventures, Provincial flagships (festivals), Public Arts and Art Bank.
As the saying goes “you cannot manage what you cannot measure”. You cannot attract more funds to this important sector unless rigorous research can measure the value it produces. This is what informs our overall approach to the cultural and creative industries: science, data driven and evidence based planning, monitoring and reporting.
Whilst the 2020 mapping study shows that, the direct impact of the CCI’s (Cultural and Creative Industries) in 2018 was R74.39 billion, which accounts for 1.7% of South Africa’s GDP, in 2022 this contribution is R161 billion, accounting for 2.97% almost 3% of South Africa’s GDP. The creative economy’s contribution accounts for 6% of all employment in South Africa (an estimated 1 million jobs). This is a slight increase from 2017, when the creative economy made up 5.9% of all jobs (approximately 965,000 jobs).
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s (UNCTAD) creative economy outlook report of 2018 shows that South Africa is amongst the top 10 developing countries that are aptly dubbed exporters of visual arts. The report also found that cultural and creative goods exports from South Africa increased from US$270 million in 2005, to US$599 million in 2014, almost double. Designer goods (including interior design, jewellery and fashion) were the largest export category with the net value of US$315 million in 2014. The 2022
SACO’s mapping study outcome shows that design and creative services contributed 32% of the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) followed by audio-visual and interactive media at 30% and the visual arts and crafts made up 15% of the CCI’s contribution to the GDP. It is noteworthy to observe that the performance and celebration domain contributed only 6% of the CCI. This can be attributed to the restrictions on gatherings, free association and movement due to COVID-19 in line with protocols in infographics of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Youth Programmes
In order to mitigate high youth unemployment rate, the department supported several youth programmes. The following are amongst notable youth programmes that were supported:
- Debut Fund program
- The Young Patriots Program
- Artists in Schools and
- Film
The latter programme on film involves highly creative activities wherein a task is given to youth to produce 10 short documentaries of unsung African heroes and heroines. This culminated in the production of an anthology titled “Not all heroes wear Capes”. These documentaries will be showcased during the Heritage Month in the current financial year.
Community Arts Centres, Theatres, and Academies
In the past 3 years, 331 Community Arts Centres were supported by the Department through grassroots level programs. We continue to undermine the apartheid spatial development by creating spaces in provinces.
In 2021, we opened the Mandela Bay Theatre Complex in Gqeberha which was immediately declared as a Cultural Institution under the Cultural Institutions Act 119 of 1998, again in Northern Cape, Kimberly, we officially opened a theatre, a space for expansion of cultural and artistic ecosystem in the province.
National Academy of Africa’s Performing Arts
This is an initiative of Mr Caiphus and Mrs Letta Semenya and is almost complete with minor touch-ups on construction. It will offer a professional arts training in music, dance and drama.
Crafts
The department launched an inaugural program themed “Beautiful Things Exhibition” at the Graskop Gorge in Mpumalanga, from the 10-16 March this year. The aim is to make this an annual feature to ensure a wider scope, enhance inclusion of more crafters and allow for wider reach of potential markets.
Incubator program
Incubator program through arts institutions and works, are done amongst others, with Sello Maake-ka-Ncube, Professor Pitika Ntuli, Igoda Fashion Design, Creative and Technology hub. This is mainly the pipeline being formed from community arts centres to performing arts institutions and the academies.
Visual arts:
- Venice Biennale: the biennale takes place every 2 years in Italy, Venice known as Venice Biennale Exhibition. It started from the 23rd of April and will go on until the 27th of November 2022 titled “Into the Light“. This is the world competition dubbed the Olympics of the Arts founded in 1895.
Three artists from South Africa named Lebogang Kganye, a visual artist, Dr Roger Ballen, world acclaimed photographer and writer, and multidisciplinary artist Phumlani Ntuli participated with notable success. With a maximum of 3 to 4 artists allowed per country, South Africa supported 39 established and upcoming artists to showcase at the Venice Biennale since 2011. Many have grown in stature, such as Mary Sibande, Dineo Bopape, Athi-Patra Ruga, Nandipha Mntambo, Sue Williamson, Candice Breitz, David Koloane, and Zanele Muholi, who are now prolific artists with solo shows in major galleries across the world.
Various schools across provinces totalling 300 in number are participating in the Mzansi Art School competition based on the theme “Into the Light” aligned to South Africa’s 2022 La Biennale Arte theme. The top three learners who will win will be given prizes and will also win a trip to Venice during the period of the Biennale.
Languages
The department financially support language practitioners especially those who study indigenous languages. On an annual basis we support on average 400 students to study across the country in different universities. These are University of Zululand, Northwest University, University of Venda, University of Western Cape, University of Witwatersrand, University of Fort-Hare, University of Free State, Nelson Mandela University.
Part of the colonial project was to ensure that African languages have no currency as they were excluded from use in corporate environment as well as in academia. It is encouraging that we are beginning to see students completing Masters and PhDs dissertations across a variety of academic fields using African languages. This is a remarkable fulfilment of the transformative constitutionalism obligation imposed on government by section 6 of the founding provisions of our Constitution.
Policy development
The South African Creative Industry Master Plan project is ready and will be tabled to Cabinet before the end of the current financial year. The Department has also been overseeing the process of drafting the theatre and dance policy which is now nearing completion. We will be embarking on the development of strategies and policies in literature, visual arts, design and crafts, and the standardisation of funding policy.
Wellness and GBVF programs
The department has combined the fight against GBVF with a wellness intervention program in a three-pronged strategy.
Baqhawafazi
At one level, an outfit called Baqhawafazi is running a GBVF survivors guild. This is a program that promotes a victim centred approach. It also provides a safe and secure platform for all victims and survivors of GBVF to share their stories.
Golekane
The emphasis of this particular program is about the socialisation of a boy child. These dialogues are characterised by fireside conversations between fathers and sons aiming at grooming boys to be better men in life.
Silapha
The Silapha wellness intervention is about the wellbeing of athletes and artists, be it on mental health, legal matters, financial management, amongst others. Since its launch in February 2021, 953 artists and athletes have been assisted.
Recognition of excellence in Arts and Culture
- South Africa Music Awards.
- South African Film and Television Awards.
- South African Fashion Industry Awards
- South African Literally Awards
- Van Toeka Af Living Legends Recognition Series
These are some of the remarkable awards through which our country celebrates excellence in Arts and Culture.
4.0 Heritage Promotion and Preservation (HPP)
In the past period the program of transformation of the heritage landscape has seen a historic name-change redress programme. This became evident in that 71 towns, 3 cities, 6 Airports, over hundred villages and 40 Post Offices amongst others achieved new democratic South Africa identities.
The department has completed the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela house and exhibition in a town now known as Winnie Mandela.
The OR Tambo Garden of Remembrance is almost complete and will be opened during this financial year. It is ready to be launched fully equipped with Information Communication Technology (ICT) that will serve as a service-center to the local communities. The beneficiaries in the main will be learners.
South African National Monumental Flag
Processes are well underway to erect a monumental flag in Tshwane. The Department is mandated to promote nation building and social cohesion. The DSAC implements this mandate through, amongst others, the design, registration, and promotion of national symbols. National symbols, especially the flag, are pivotal in building a common identity and advancing unity. The National flag is one of the primary symbols that are markers of the country’s national sovereignty and are collectively used as a rallying point for national unity, social cohesion and national pride. The South African flag in particular, is the symbol of democracy. It forms part of the brand image of the country, and is displayed with pride in celebrations, commemorations, sporting and artistic activities as well as during times of distress. Feasibility study was done and completed. The project will be funded from the DSAC budget within the MTEF period. The capital cost for this construction of the South African Monumental Flag is estimated at R22.5 million. The flagpole height would be 120 metres. The flag dimensions would be at least 10m x 15m. We are now moving towards the implementation of the construction phase. It is estimated that there will be 53 permanent direct job opportunities created during the operational phase of the project and further indirect jobs created throughout.
Riding the wave of the 4th Industrial Revolution - the Department finalised the national policy on digitisation during 2020/2021 financial year to accelerate the digitization programme.
Current projects
- E-book Augmentation System (development of an electronic device which display books in digital form, readable on the flat panel display of computers, cell phones and other electronic devices).
- Digital Dictionaries Resources for the N/uu language
- Since 2019, 529 audio-visual records digitised (Treason Trial Dictabelts & TRC Audio tapes). This follows on the foot steps of the Rivonia Trial Dictabelts having been digitised few years earlier. As part of the Presidential Employment Stimulus Package, 45,099 pages and 26,397 photographs were digitised.
- The Department has in the past three years financially supported the construction of 103 libraries equipped with ICT.
- A project to digitise archival material was embarked upon in partnership with the Constitution Hill Trust. Records taken on board include the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) Multi-Party Negotiations Process (MPNP) and others.
5.0 Conclusion
As the country emerges slowly from the COVID-19 pandemic, so is government moving from grants and relief mode to sustainable economic recovery trajectory. Responding to the guide from research, we will in the main deploy resources accordingly. This will be done primarily through the implementation of the MGE strategy in order to recalibrate the sport and creative economy for the benefit of our athletes and artists.
Future milestones include working towards the urgent need for strengthened Cultural Diplomacy Framework; strengthened touring circuits programme in collaboration with the Department of Tourism and International Relations in the Africa region; practical AU collaboration in sports and culture reporting entities; the amalgamation of the reporting entities from 30 to 5 boards and councils in our country for nation building and social cohesion.
There is a dire need to have a world-wide African based digital platform that houses all online creative arts and sporting platforms for control and sustainability of intellectual property and patents of South Africa and the AU member States’ intangible heritage.
Thank you kindly, for your attention.
