I wish to state it categorically that arts and culture is not just about so-called “entertainment.” The deliberate distortion of our profile is meant to not only mislead the public but project us as the “party department,” as one newspaper labeled us recently. The unfortunate result is that this undermines the central role arts and culture plays in the Government’s programme of action in nation-building, transformation, wealth creation and economic empowerment.
In the last two years that I have been Minister of Arts & Culture, there has been numerous occasions for us to host and sponsor project-specific and national events to highlight and create top-of-mind awareness about the nature of our work. Although largely successful in bringing us to public consciousness, this has not prevented us being seen as a wasteful Department that has spent R-millions without justification.
Before 2002, we were still seen as a little insignificant part of Department of Science, Technology, Arts & Culture.
I have decided to give proper context and meaning to the work that we do and, hopefully, shatter the myth that we indulge in fruitless expenditure. Arts and culture is relevant and important to the Government’s programme to build social cohesion, nurture a new spirit of national unity, contribute to transformation, create employment and encourage artists to see the sector as an important tool towards economic self-liberation.
While there is still great work that needs to be done to do away with the view that we are a “party department,” perhaps the starting point should be to list all the events, their nature and the budget that was allocated for them since 2002. These are the following:
Telephone Interpreting Service of South Africa (TISSA) Launch
The Telephone Interpreting Service of South Africa was launched at the Katlehong Police Station. I made the first TISSA call from this Station.
The cost of the event was R300 000,00.
Budgeted under Programme 3: National Language Service.
North Sea Jazz Festival and Deputy Minister’s lunch with stakeholders
Invitations were sent out to 100 guests for the two days. A lunch was hosted by the Deputy Minister for the stakeholders.
The cost of the event was R73 500,00.
Budgeted under Programme 2: Arts and Culture in Society.
Deputy Minister’s Breakfast with Arts and Culture Journalists
The Media were invited to a breakfast with the Deputy Minister to brief them on the developments with regard to the 2002 National Freedom Day Celebrations, the National Dance Troupe Project and the introduction of new National Orders.
The cost of the event was R3 450,00.
Budgeted under Programme 1: Administration.
African Unity Summit
The official launch of the AU Summit was managed by my Department. A cultural programme, film festival, exhibitions and decoration were elements of the event.
The cost of the event was R145 400,00.
Budgeted under Programme 4: Cultural Development and International Cooperation.
Interment of Sarah Baartmann
The interment took place in the Eastern Cape. It involved the relevant Khoi-San Community.
The cost of the event was R1 132 000,00.
Budgeted under Programme 5: Heritage Promotion.
Telephone Interpreting Service of South Africa (TISSA): Sign Language Lunch
A TISSA Sign Language Project was launched in Cape Town at the Deaf Community Hall. The event included the first deaf call to be made for this project. The cost of the event was R48 500,00.
Budgeted under Programme 3: National Language Service.
International Network on Cultural Policy
The event took place in Cape Town and involved an informal opening ceremony, a banquet at the Castle of Good Hope, a visit to the Baxter Theatre and a tour to two wine farms as part of a social programme. A spousal programme was also part of the event, with an extensive promotional item responsibility.
The cost of the event was R1 105 294,00.
Budgeted under Programme 1: Administration.
Heritage Consultative Forum
A workshop was arranged to discuss the South African Heritage Resource Agency Act and Geographical Place Names Act.
The cost of the event was R66 000,00.
Budgeted under Programme 5: Heritage Promotion.
Deputy Minister’s Stakeholder Lunch with the Film Industry
The Deputy Minister hosted a lunch in Cape Town to coincide with the Sithengi Film Market.
The cost of the event was R73 500,00.
Budgeted under Programme 4: Cultural Development and International Cooperation.
Banquet for the outgoing National Film and Video Fund Board (NFVF)
The Deputy Minister hosted a banquet at Lanzerac Wine Estate to thank the outgoing board of the NFVF for the valuable contributions they had made to the film industry.
The cost of the event was R71 710,74.
Budgeted under Programme 4: Cultural Development and International Cooperation.
Ministerial Breakfast with Arts and Culture Journalists
I invited arts and culture journalists to a media breakfast. The topics were the Language Policy and Plan and the National Geographical Place Names database.
The cost of the event was R3 450,00.
Budgeted under Programme 3: National Language Service and Programme 5: Heritage Promotion.
National Orders Awards Ceremony 2002
The awards ceremony took place at the Union Buildings. My Department was responsible for the artistic director and support, decoration, documentaries, banners, citations and scrolls of tribute.
The cost of the event was R1 500 000,00.
Budgeted under Programme 6: National Archives, Records, Meta-Information and Heraldic Services.
TAMA 2003 Language Conference
The Conference took place in Sandton with approximately 250 delegates. A cocktail function and banquet formed part of the event.
The cost of the event was R800 000,00.
Budgeted under Programme 3: National Language Service.
Launch of the National Language Policy and Plan Conference
A conference was held for language practitioners in South Africa. The Conference made available the implementation strategy for the language policy and plan. A cocktail function and cultural performance also formed part of the arrangements.
The cost of the event was R150 000,00.
Budgeted under Programme 3: National Language Service.
2003 North Sea Jazz Festival
My Department hosted 100 invited dignitaries per night at a hospitality tent for two nights. It also involved corporate gifts and catering.
The cost of the event was R20 000,00.
Budgeted under Programme 2: Arts and Culture in Society.
Welcoming of the new Deputy Minister and Director-General of the Department
Officials of the Department were invited to a welcoming function for the new Deputy Minister and Director-General.
The cost of the event was R50 000,00.
Budgeted under Programme 1: Administration.
Farewell function of Mrs Mabandla as Deputy Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology
Officials of the Department were invited to bid farewell to the outgoing Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, Science and Technology.
The cost of the event was R74 210,00.
Budgeted under Programme 1: Administration.
SADC Multi-Disciplinary Festival
South Africa hosted the first ever SADC Multi-Disciplinary Festival. Twelve countries participated in the Festival (520 participants).
The cost of the event was R4 500 000,00.
Budgeted under Programme 4: Cultural Development and International Cooperation.
Ministerial Programme to coincide with the SADC Multi-Disciplinary Festival
A Ministerial colloquium formed part of the SADC Festival. It was attended by six visiting ministers from Swaziland, Namibia, Lesotho, Mozambique, Mauritius and Zambia.
The cost of the event was R4 427 590,00.
Budgeted under Programme 4: Cultural Development and International Cooperation.
Inclusion of SADC Festival Participants in the Africa Day Celebrations Parade
The SADC Festival Participants took part in a parade from Mary Fitzgerald Square to the Johannesburg Athletic Stadium. It was a parade of approximately 7 km.
The cost of the event was R192 163,22.
Budgeted under Programme 4: Cultural Development and International Cooperation.
Launch of the SA-Mali Manuscripts Project
The Project was launched with a cocktail function at the Presidential Guest House. It was hosted by then Deputy Minister Sonjica and Minister Essop Pahad. Fund-raising for the Project was also launched at this event.
The cost of the event was R48 000,00.
Budgeted under Programme 6: National Archives, Records, Meta-Information and Heraldic Services.
Language Consultative Conference
The Conference was held in Benoni with approximately 250 delegates. It also involved a banquet with the Deputy President being the guest of honour. I hosted the banquet.
The cost of the event was R954 450,00.
Budgeted under Programme 3: National Language Service.
Arts and Culture Bosberaad with Senior Management of the Department and Ministries
A bosberaad was held for all Senior Managers of my Department to synergise activities as well as to streamline the objectives of the Department. The Bosberaad was held at the Farm Inn, Pretoria. An informal braai was included in the programme.
The cost of the event was R85 000,00.
Budgeted under Programme 1: Administration.
Heritage Month Celebrations Launch
The event took place at the Transvaal Museum in Pretoria. The Department’s plans for Heritage Month were made known. The event included cultural and heritage exhibitions and cultural performances.
The cost of the event was R49 820,00.
Budgeted under Programme 4: National Language Service.
Tribute to Sarah Bartmann
A French delegation of ten senators requested to pay tribute to Sarah Bartmann at her gravesite. The event started off with a formal programme in the cultural centre in Humansdorp where the Deputy Minister officiated. Wreaths were also laid at the gravesite in Hankey.
The cost of the event was R65 219,00.
Budgeted under Programme 5: Heritage Promotion.
Minister’s Imbizo – Mpumalanga, Limpopo and Deputy Minister,s Imbizo in Free State Oct. 2006
The Minister’s Imbizo took place near Middelburg, Mpumalanga. It involved cultural performances, question and answer time as well as lunch for the public and invited guests. Similar events took place in Thohoyandou, Giyani and Bloemfontein.
The cost of these events were R364 350,00.Budgeted under Programme 1: Administration.
Deputy Minister’s Imbizo – Eastern Cape 2003
The Deputy Minister’s Imbizo took place in Humansdorp, Eastern Cape. It involved cultural performances, question and answer time as well as lunch for the public and invited guests.
The cost of the event was R259 350,00.
Budgeted under Programme 1: Administration.
Pre-CITRA Workshop
A pre-conference workshop was held for South African archive workers in Pretoria before the main CITRA Conference. It also involved a visit to the Sterkfontein Caves and an informal braai.
The cost of the event was R141 070,00.
Budgeted under Programme 6: National Archives, Records, Meta-Information and Heraldic Services.
CITRA Conference
The Conference was held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre . Sixty countries attended the Conference. It also involved an extensive social programme. A Ministerial programme formed part of the Conference and nine ministers from the SADC attended the Conference.
The cost of the event was R3 357 053,13.
Budgeted under Programme 6: National Archives, Records, Meta-Information and Heraldic Services.
Minister’s Banquet at the Sithengi Film Market
The banquet was hosted in Cape Town. A cultural group performed at the event.
The cost of the event was R132 100,00.
Budgeted under Programme 4: Cultural Development and International Cooperation.
Departmental Imbizo on reviving Batho Pele Principles
The Imbizo took place in Pretoria where staff members were invited to participate in reviving the Batho Pele Principles and was followed by a finger lunch.
The cost of the event was R100 000,00.
Budgeted under Programme 1: Administration.
Minister’s Budget Vote Dinner
On the eve of my Budget Vote Speech in 2006 I hosted a dinner at the Castle of Good Hope that included a cultural performance.
The cost of the event was R57 090,50.
Budgeted under Programme 1: Administration.
Deputy Minister’s Budget Vote Dinner
The Deputy Minister hosted a dinner on the eve of my Budget Vote Speech in 2006.
The cost of the event was R11 000,00.
Budgeted under Programme 1: Administration.
National Women’s Day Celebrations
The National Women’s Day celebrations took place in Pretoria, from where some veterans marched to the Union Buildings. Guests were invited to a lunch and the public where also catered for. A cultural performance took place as well as a craft exhibition.
The cost of the event was R2 505 271,30.
Budgeted under Programme 2: Arts and Culture in Society.
Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2006
The annual Cape Town International Jazz Festival took place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in Cape Town. The Department managed four hospitality tents in the corporate village.
The cost of the event was R1 200 000,00.
Budgeted under Programme 2: Arts and Culture in Society.
Cannes Film Festival in France
The Department, in partnership with the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), participated in the Cannes Festival, which is a major activity for the world film industries where business is conducted towards the promotion of the film industry.
The costs of the events were:
2002 R124 546,80
2003 R104 573,39
2004 R175 931,10
2005 R100 481,25
2006 R150 000,00
Budgeted under Programme 4: Cultural Development and International Cooperation.
National Freedom Day Celebrations
National Freedom Day is celebrated annually in partnership with the provincial department that hosts the main event. Guests are invited to lunch or dinner after the formal programmes. Food packs are also distributed to the public.
The costs of the events were:
2002 R 400 000,00
2003 R 400 000,00
2004 R13 608 135,97 (10-Year Celebrations of Democracy and Freedom)
2005 R 400 000,00
2006 R 1 200 000,00
Budgeted under Programme 2: Arts and Culture in Society.
Budget Vote Speech
My Department’s annual Budget Vote Speech is normally followed by a cocktail lunch, exhibition and a cultural performance programme for invited guests.
The costs of the events were:
2002 R84 000,00
2003 R80 000,00
2004 R130 800,00
2005 R54 800,00
Budgeted under Programme 1: Administration.
National Heritage Day Celebrations
My Department is responsible for organising Heritage Day celebrations annually. It normally comprises an informal programme, a formal programme and a lunch for VIPs and other dignitaries. In some years the public were also catered for.
The costs of the events were:
2002 R 869 261,70
2003 R1 019 835,06
2004 R3 663 867,22
2005 R3 936 300,15
2006 R6 471 087,70
Budgeted under Programme 5: Heritage Promotion.
(2) On the eve of my Budget Vote Speech in 2005 a dinner in Kirstenbosch, Cape Town was sponsored by the Old Mutual Corporate Bank. Sixty guests were invited.
My Department also hosted a corporate golf day on two occasions. The events included dinners that were sponsored by BMW and the Sponsors Company in full. Other participating private companies were also invited as guests and they sponsored the rest of the administration cost of both events.
The Director-General, the Deputy Minister and I have dedicated entertainment budgets which at no stage have been exceeded by expenditure in each of the financial years from 2002. This is broken down as follows:
In conclusion, it needs to be categorically stated that the Ministry of Arts & Culture is the “custodian of the nation’s soul and collective memory” and not the “party department” as has been misconstrued.
