SA Musicians React To The NAC’s Mismanagement Of Funds
SA Musicians React To The NAC’s Mismanagement Of Funds. Artists have been staging a sit-in at the National Arts Council (NAC)’s office in Johannesburg for the past three weeks, claiming that the R300 million Covid-19 relief funds have been mismanaged. Last year, the government availed R300 million to the council in the form of its Presidential Empowerment Stimulus Programme, which was aimed at employment creation and retention initiatives for artists and others in the cultural sector. Artists say they have not received a cent from the stimulus package
However, the Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa says following the suspension of implicated officials, the NAC is taking action against senior officials implicated in the mismanagement of funds. It is reported that R300 million that was meant to compensate artists during the COVID-19 pandemic has disappeared. Right now, as we speak, the council of NAC suspended the senior officials and paving a way of engaging other sources to try and fund the process, which has been depleted by that mismanagement.”
South African musicians reacted differently to this matter. Opera singer Sibongile Mngoma is one of those artists who were staging a sit-in at the NAC’s offices in Johannesburg and she wrote: “DAY 17 of the sit in at the National Arts Council offices in Newtown. We are still seeking answers. Where is the PESP money? Why are artists still not paid???? @CyrilRamaphosa @NathiMthethwaSA #PayThePESPmoney #Im4theArts #ArtistsLivesMatter.”
Nomuzi “Moozlie” Mabena wrote: “Every time someone says the name Nathi Mthethwa to me I jokingly say “who’s that?” & this tweet is exactly why.”
Thandiswa Mazwai wrote: “they bore me those regaliArtists. How you gon do that bruh. But then I guess it’s for times like these. while the rest of us on samsokolo.”
Thami aka Mbongo, who is also in the arts industry have vowed to stay until they get feedback. “Transparency is really what we need, we want honesty. The stay-in will happen up until they come and provide the answers. It’s really frustrating and painful when the government that you trust to look after the artists, but they are failing the artists,” says Thami. Watch the video below to view the protest:
