GAYTON ACCUSED OF 'CORRUPTION'

GATVOL South African artists marched on the Union Buildings and accused Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie of corruption. 

Earlier this week, scores of South African artists, musicians, and representatives of arts organisations say the ministry has systematically failed them, with no geld to fund their work.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, through his office, has confirmed having received a memorandum of demands made by a group of artists to prevent the collapse of institutions that fund the arts.

At the centre of the cries by these practitioners is the alleged collapse of various funding institutions meant to benefit the country's arts, crafts, music and film industries.

Under the banner of the Cultural and Creative Industries Campaign, they say: “The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture is no longer fit for purpose. Programmes are stalled.

“Funding pipelines have collapsed. Institutions are being run by individuals with no demonstrable knowledge, credibility, or commitment to the creative industries and are compromised. 

“The Ministerial conduct has prioritised political optics over public service.

Speaking on behalf of the artists, African Transformation Movement (ATM) spokesperson Zama Ntshona indicated that the march to the union building has been weeks in the making.

Ntshona says: “As the cultural and creative practitioners, we have taken our grievances to the office of the president and met with Vincent Magwenya. 

Music industry activist, Tebogo Sithathu accused the minister of prioritising Formula One at the expense of local artists, among other things.

Meanwhile, presidential spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya confirmed receipt of the memorandum and indicated that the office of the president will process these demands and refer the matter to the department for implementation of the necessary intervention.

He says: “Yes, the office of the President has received the memorandum which will be processed and referred to the department of Arts and Culture for consideration.”