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Our Vision
We are a thriving arts, culture and heritage sector contributing to sustainable
economic development, leveraging on partnerships for a socially cohesive nation.
Our Mission
We enhance job creation by preserving, protecting and developing arts, culture and heritage to sustain our democracy and build our nation.
Our Values
The Department of Arts and Culture is guided by the following values:
- Accountability
- Integrity
- Results-driven
- Professionalism
- Humility
- Batho Pele
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The Premise, Promise and Pledge
Our premise is the unshakeable conviction that arts
and culture and heritage are not hobbies or ‘entertainment.’
They are an outward expression of that which
stirs in man’s soul to reveal itself as commercial products
that are testament to the present and how it is
inextricably linked to the past and future.
We are committed to the development, promotion
and development of arts, culture and heritage sector
as the cornerstone of job creation, skills development
and economic self-determination. The empowerment
of the creative class is the meaning of purpose.
Our promise is to do our best to forge closer links between
the public and private sectors through partnerships
that foster social cohesion and nation-building. The realisation of a non-racial, non-sexist and unified
country is the purpose of our existence.
Our pledge is not only to indulge the nation in our
creative outputs. It is to provide access to information
in a manner that establishes ties that bind among
all the people of the land, between the citizens and
State. The meaning of our existence is a non-racial,
non-sexist and united nation.
Above all, it is to mainstream arts, culture and heritage
activities as instruments for transformation and tools
for economic self-liberation, especially among the historically
disadvantaged individuals and communities.
Legislative Mandate of the department
The mandate of the department is derived from the
Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, including
from the Preamble and Founding Provisions, in
particular:
Section 16(1): Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, which includes:
- freedom of the press and other media;
- freedom to receive or impart information or ideas;
- freedom of artistic creativity; and
- academic freedom and freedom of scientific research
Section 30:
Everyone has the right to use the language and to participate in the cultural life of their choice, but
no one exercising these rights may do so in a manner inconsistent with any provision of the Bill of
Rights.
Section 32(1): Everyone has the right of access to:
- any information held by the state; and
- any information that is held by another person and that is
required for the exercise or protection of any rights
The primary legislative framework of the Department emanates from the following Acts:
- National Film and Video Foundation Act, 1997 (Act 73 of 1997)
- National Heritage Council Act, 1999 (Act 11 of 1999)
- National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act 25 of 1999)
- National Library of South Africa Act, 1998 (Act 92 of 1998)
- Pan South African Language Board Act, 1995 (Act 59 of 1995)
- South African Geographical Names Council Act, 1998 (Act 118 of 1998)
- South African Library for the Blind Act, 1998 (Act 91 of 1998)
- Cultural Institutions Act, 1998 (Act 119 of 1998)
- Culture Promotion Act, 1983 (Act 35 of 1983)
- Heraldry Act, 1962 (Act 18 of 1962)
- Legal Deposit Act, 1997 (Act 54 of 1997)
- National Archives and Record Service of South Africa Act, 1996 (Act 43 of 1996)
- National Arts Council Act, 1997 (Act 56 of 1997)
- Promotion of Access to Information Act (Act No 2 of 2000)
- National Council for Library and Information Services Act (No.6 of 2001)
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Leadership