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Daily Maverick reports that the National Arts Festival’s application for funding to the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture for the 2026 event has been refused, Minister Gayton McKenzie indicated in a written answer to questions raised in Parliament.
But, CEO Monica Newton responded after the festival’s longstanding funding request was turned down: “The National Arts Festival will take place from 26 June to 6 July 2026, supported by our longstanding partners, the Eastern Cape Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture and Standard Bank – and many other partners who have supported the festival for decades.” She further indicated that the festival continued to engage with the national department on funding for the 2026 festival. Newton pointed out that the National Arts Festival was working in collaboration with several other festivals across the country which were concerned about the current policy and funding environment.
McKenzie explained the department wanted to support new provincial flagship projects. He said that an organisation could be supported for only one project per financial year and that national flagship events, such as the National Arts Festival, had not been defunded since they had had the opportunity to apply, like any other festival. DA caucus leader in Makhanda, Luvuyo Sizani, said they were deeply disappointed by the decision against funding the National Arts Festival. He said the event had, for decades, been the economic heartbeat of the town. The department’s rejection of the National Arts Festival’s funding application for 2026 is said to put about 3,000 jobs at risk.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Estelle Ellis at Daily Maverick
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