adminCharleen Ndlovu, Sunday Life Reporter
Various players within the Arts and Culture sector have commended the Government for allocating $1,5 million towards the development of the arts industry.
Finance and Economic Development Minister Prof Mthuli Ncube in his presentation of the 2019 National Budget proposals on Thursday allocated of $53.5 million to the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation with $1, 5 million being channeled towards the newly created Arts Development Fund.
In an interview, arts practitioner, Raisdon Baya applauded the government for recognising all sectors including the arts.
“We are very happy about the $1,5 million fund and we need to celebrate because for the first time the government has recognised the arts and culture sector. Over the years we have been hearing about funds from the government but we have never seen where they actually go. At least now we can be able to do a follow up because the government made an announcement which is a good step towards the right direction,” he said.
He said there is lot that needs to be done within the arts and culture sector hence the fund will go a long way in making sure that some of the projects are funded.
“The arts and culture industry has been on the fringes, it needs a lot of assistance. The sector needs a lot of marketing especially when it comes to tourism because culture is not about physical structures only, but also about the people hence it needed to be marketed in that way. We have a lot of people who are doing things that can attract tourism. If the sector is properly marketed and funded it will help bring back to the country foreign currency. Besides South Africa has monopolised culture, the world thinks that Africa is South African and that is an issue that we need to address by doing a lot of marketing of our own products,” he said.
A local film maker Priscilla Sithole said the government was on the right track and should consider investing more in the arts and culture industry.
“The fund is a start and we are very happy about it. However, the government should really look into investing more in the arts and culture industry like other countries. South Africa and United States have prospered because of their arts industry. There is a whole lot of potential within our sector that can at the end of the day generate forex to assist the economy at large,” she said.
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter