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The Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) 2009/10 annual report demonstrates a lack of commitment to creating employment opportunities. Only 22% of the R42.9 million set aside for the financial assistance of unemployed people through the Investing in Culture (IIC) Programme was spent in the last financial year. The Democratic Alliance (DA) was informed by a staff member at the DAC that the reason why the funds were not spent was because advertisements publicising the existence of the IIC Programme have not been sent out in the last two years because of ‘staff issues' at the DAC.

The IIC programme was set up with the specific purpose of providing funding for arts, culture and heritage projects and was targeted at unemployed people. It aimed at creating sustainable jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities for people with minimal or no formal education in the sector. Interested parties can only apply for access to IIC funds once an advertisement is put out calling for proposals. According to a staff member at the DAC, an advertisement calling for proposals has not been put out in two years because of ‘staff issues'.

South Africa's unemployment rate is currently at 25%, and a number of South Africans live in abject poverty. It is therefore problematic that funds set aside for the purposes of creating employment opportunities and eradicating poverty are not spent because of departmental deficiencies. Regular funding in the arts sector is of critic al importance because this sector was particularly hard hit during the recession. The available funding ought to have been utilised by the department to revitalise the sector, and yet, because of bureaucratic deficiencies, these funds lie unspent.

While South Africa may have more urgent commitments than providing funding for arts programmes, the sector has immense potential in creating jobs and showcasing South Africa as an art tourism destination, thus increasing economic investment in our country. It is therefore necessary that all available funds be directed towards the intended purpose. Where necessary, public-private partnerships must be sought to ensure that arts projects are sustainable and are able to turn a profit.

Last month, the DA wrote to the former Minister of Arts and Culture, Lulu Xingwana, requesting that she set up a task team to look into the funding for state-owned performance art theatres. Perhaps the task team must also look into finding innovative solutions to ensure that DAC and the National Arts Council (NAC) funds reach their intended beneficiaries.

The DA will be writing to the new Minister of Arts and Culture, Paul Mashatile, requesting that he investigate why these funds are not being properly administered and that he look into setting up a task team to create innovative solutions to the problems facing the arts sector. We will also be issuing parliamentary questions to determine how many employment opportunities have been created through this programme since its inception.