Department of Arts and Culture (DAC): 2011 Strategic Plan and Budget briefing

The Minister and Deputy Minister, and Department of Arts and Culture (DAC), National Heritage Council of South Africa, National Arts Council of South Africa, South African State Theatre and South African Heritages Resource Agency briefed the Committee on the 2011 budget and strategic plans. An improved relationship between the Ministry and Committee was noted. Throughout the presentation it was stressed that the DAC had received cuts in its budget both in the previous and current financial years and that it would experience difficulty in addressing all issues in the strategic plans, given the shortage of funding. A total allocation of R2.46 billion was given. Each of the Department’s programmes was geared towards achieving the overall mandate to develop and preserve South African culture and ensure social cohesion and nation building. Key priorities for 2011/12 included nation building and social cohesion, economic development, skills development, preservation and promotion of arts, culture and heritage, and preservation of information for access. Additional allocations had been made to the National Film and Video foundation for development of the film industry, but cuts were made from goods and services, the National Arts Council and Household heritage. The cuts from the National Arts Council were of particular concern since it was responsible for seven genres and could now not fulfil all indicators. The moratorium on the programmes for Culture Development had been lifted, and although the amounts allocated for Investing in Culture were insufficient, the DAC would approach National Treasury for funding for programmes not implicated in financial misappropriation. The National Heritage Council noted that it was facing financial pressures to address its needs for capacity building and human resources, and had taken up the issues and submitted a business plan to the DAC. The National Arts Council would also ask for increased funding, as it was critical in achieving the objective to make the arts a priority in South Africa and contribute to job creation. The South African State Theatre had found itself in competition with other venues and was attempting to partner with producers to guarantee a certain number of productions, but would also require more capital for maintenance and development. The South African Heritage Resource Agency also would have challenges in delivering fully on its mandate on the allocation provided, but had approached the DAC for further funding and had closed its provincial offices.

Members asked when the acting positions would be filled, why so few libraries were built during the 2010/11 year, and how the National Arts Council could be protected and funded better. They asked about the budget cuts and when councils must be elected for entities. They also questioned whether Ifa Lethu Foundation discussions had taken place, what the Department was doing to educate and assist artists that it was supporting to fulfil the DAC’s requirements, what the position was with the Noria Mabasa property, and how monitoring and oversight was done in respect of funds spent outside DAC. Members also asked for a report on the outcome of the investigations into allegations of fraud and corruption in the Culture Project. Members were interested what efforts were being made to ensure social cohesion and nation building, including collaboration with other departments and clusters, encouraging attendance at celebration days, and promoting the flag, as well as specific work to affect rural communities in a positive way.  They asked for reports on international relations and activities. Members asked if DAC had finalised the policy on charging entrance fees for heritage institutions, the role of the Department of Public Works in upgrading physical structures, how the forthcoming Language Bill would promote jobs, and for clarity on the relationship with non-profit organisations, communication and marketing, and monitoring of skills and internships.

For read full minutes or to listen to an audio recording of the meeting see the Parliamentary Monitoring Group website. A copy of the presentation is attached below.

Source: Parliamentary Monitoring Group

Leave a comment