Gayton McKenzie faces rising backlash over funding cuts to cultural festivals

Sport, Arts and Culture Minister, Gayton McKenzie, is facing widespread criticism from various segments of the arts and culture industry after his department's decision to withdraw support from significant cultural festivals and the perceived reduction in funding opportunities for organisations within the sector. 

The move has plunged renowned events like the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, the National Arts Festival, Suidoosterfees, KKNK, Woordfees, Innibos, Aardklop, and the Vrystaat Kunstefees into crisis, raising concerns about the future of South Africa's cultural landscape.

President of the South African Roadies Association (SARA), Freddie Nyathela, a non-profit training organisation providing technical and production skills training for youth, said they were dismayed by McKenzie's decision. 

"The current affairs are dire, with a rogue minister abusing public power, bullying, and disrespecting the arts and culture sector with impunity, at the expense of youth empowerment, job creation and transformation," Nyathela said.

Nyathela further alleged that McKenzie has deliberately imposed "sector clusters" to "capture the Department" and has transformed the public purse into his "personal slush fund for selfish interests".

He accused McKenzie of "blatantly disregarding the rule of law, including the approved revised White Paper on Arts, Culture and Heritage, and Section 16 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa".

Adding to SARA's concerns, Nyathela highlighted the Minister's alleged abuse of power to "sabotage a unique and significant Africa first project titled the 'Backstage Academy South Africa'. 

He said this initiative aims to equip African youth with technical "live technology" skills essential for creative innovators and technologists within live events and wider arts and creative industries in South Africa and beyond.

Nyathela said that this further undermines youth development and innovation within the sector.

Jack Devnarain, a prominent actor and chairperson of the South African Guild of Actors (SAGA), echoed the industry's bewilderment and apprehension regarding the McKenzie's decisions. 

"It has come to our attention that the minister is now limiting funding opportunities and shutting down subsidies…we are concerned about this because we don't know why he is making these choices," Devnarain said.

SAGA is now calling for urgent and constant industry engagement to understand the McKenzie's rationale. 

"So we are calling for constant industry engagement because we need to understand his thinking," Devnarain said. He pointed out the dire consequences for organisations reliant on government funding: 

"A lot of entities relying on funding from the government are not able to sustain themselves because of the shortage of these subsidies."

Devnarain conveyed the collective confusion within the industry: "We are confused as to where the minister is going with this…so to curb that confusion there has to be a structural engagement otherwise we need to start engaging portfolio committees on the matter." 

The DA has also weighed in on the matter, with Leah Potgieter MP, the party's Spokesperson on Sports, Arts & Culture, accusing the Department of being used for "political patronage, neglecting artists, athletes, and communities".

Potgieter highlighted the precarious situation of "flagship festivals" and alleged that the Mzansi Golden Economy (MGE) Fund has been "captured by the Minister’s allies".

The DA further revealed a diversion of R82 million from sports federations to fund Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology, a move they claim is "crippling grassroots sport".

She said that the department, which should be a "place of opportunity where young people are developed, artists are supported, and communities are uplifted," has instead been "reduced to a vehicle for political control, crippled by mismanagement, patronage, and reckless financial decisions".

Reiterating the core concern, the DA pointed out that the withdrawal of support from iconic cultural festivals, which are the "backbone of our cultural economy," sustaining thousands of jobs and bringing in billions to local economies, is unacceptable. 

They further accuse the Minister of ignoring their pleas for support while "channeling money towards projects that serve his own political agenda".

Regarding the R82 million diversion, the DA condemned it as being done "without transparency, without proper authority, and at the direct expense of grassroots sport".

The DA demanded the "reinstatement of funding for proven festivals, full disclosure of all MGE allocations, an independent adjudication process, and a complete account of every budget reallocation including the unlawful diversion of R82 million".

Sport, Arts and Culture spokesperson Zimasa Velaphi referred questions to McKenzie’s spokesperson Stacey-Lee Khojane, who did not respond to calls or questions sent via text. 

mashudu.sadike@inl.co.za