IOL News reports that the SA arts and culture industry is in uproar and is preparing for a major showdown with the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture and its Minister, Gayton McKenzie. The department is under fire for its decision to significantly reduce funding for major cultural festivals.
Events like the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, the National Arts Festival, Suidoosterfees, KKNK, Woordfees, Innibos, Aardklop, and the Vrystaat Kunstefees have been thrown into deep crisis, raising serious concerns about the very survival of SA’s cultural landscape. Artist organisations are reportedly gearing up to fight back against the Minister’s decision, whether through the courts or taking to the streets. Artists United (AU) said it was appalled by the minister’s decision. The organisation highlighted the devastating impact on employment and added: "This is very unfortunate, as most of these events were used to create jobs for many artists. We will be happy to get valid reasons from the minister." AU affirmed its resolve to challenge McKenzie.
United Civil Society in Action (UCSA) chairperson, Tebogo Sithathu, echoed the sentiments of frustration and anger. "The big question is, why would the minister do this without consulting the creative, cultural, and sporting fraternities? That in itself is highly condescending and disrespectful," he asked. The South African Roadies Association President, Freddie Nyathela, commented: "It's time to mobilise and hold this minister accountable for bullying us. He continues to bully us instead of taking us with confidence and doing his job as a minister.”
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mashudu Sadike at IOL News
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