YEAR-END MESSAGE
FROM THE MINISTER

2011 will be remembered as the year in which the DAC made significant strides in re-positioning the arts, culture and heritage sector to become key drivers of economic growth and job creation in our country, in line with the objectives of the New Growth Path.

The repositioning our sector culminated in the historic National Consultative Summit, hosted in April 2011, where more than 1000 delegates at the summit declared that: "Our culture and heritage are key to nation building and social cohesion, and these are the ingredients for creating a climate of social stability and economic growth" and committed themselves to: "facilitate the expansion and growth of existing initiatives in the cultural and creative industries to create large scale and high impact programmes, maximising the growth and employment potential of the sector."

The Summit and its declaration signaled a joint commitment by all stakeholders in the arts, culture and heritage sector to raise the profile of our sector and ensure occupation of its rightful position in advancing social and economic transformation in our society. The Summit also produced the Mzansi Golden Economy (MGE) - our contribution to the national effort in building a united, democratic, equal and prosperous society.

I take this opportunity to thank our stakeholders and staff within DAC, not only for contributing to the birth of the MGE strategy, but most importantly for their contribution in ensuring the realisation of our goals.

As the year draws to a close, we are proud of the progress we have made in implementing the outcomes of our Consultative Summit and bringing the MGE to life. We can also be proud of the capacity we have built within the DAC which enables us to deliver on our mandate.

Inspired by the good work we have done so far, we look to the future with confidence that the goals we have set for ourselves are within reach.

Let us enter 2012 with renewed determination and commitment to carry forward the good work we have done working together with our stakeholders. We are ready to make a meaningful contribution towards the goal of building a better life for all South Africans in the New Year, doing this with the utmost professionalism, dedication and empathy.