Minister of sport, arts and culture Nathi Mthethwa has called claims that his department was failing creatives and artists a fallacy and cheap propaganda.
Mthethwa, who was updating sports, arts and culture portfolio committee in parliament on the relief funding yesterday, appeared visibly annoyed by comments that the department was doing nothing.
The committee members further questioned the status quo of Cultural and Creative Industries Federation of South Africa (CCIFSA), its mandate and why “it was shoved downed the throats of artists”.
He said his department was the first to introduce relief funds, therefore it was unfair to regard it as failing. He appealed to parliament to fast-track the Copyright Amendment Bill and the Performers’ Protection Amendment Bill to assist the industry and the department.
“We must dispel the narrative which is void of any truth that the government will impose any structure which in this case its CCIFFSA. It is against that backdrop that CCIFSA has assisted us in interacting with the creatives and giving us ideas. Secondly, the organisation was not founded by the government and it represents the aspirations of the artists. I know the money distributed did not reach everybody and things have been difficult from the beginning. In some instances, some artists had to wait for a longer period for the relief fund,” Mthethwa said.
Committee member Ringo Madlingozi complained that the department was doing nothing for artists, as a result they were dying due to depression.
“The department is not properly regulated because there was nothing said about the white paper that was adopted in November. It's been two years and the department is failing to support the creatives. Artists are depressed because there is no work.”
Madlingozi took a swipe on CIFFSA, questioning why the federation was getting millions and not assisting the creatives and artist.
Department's director-general Vusumuzi Mkhize asked: “How do you say that the department has failed dismally? I think that is a very incorrect statement. The issue of the pandemic is not department's issue and I don’t understand how you blame it on us. The department has been providing relief funds and sometimes had to scramble to find money to assist and support artists.”
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