Honourable Chairperson
Honourable Members
Distinguished guests and artists in our midst today
Ladies and gentlemen

This budget speech takes place at a time when we are celebrating great milestones in the history of our country.

Firstly, it comes as we mark 20 years of Freedom. Secondly, we are commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Women’s Charter during the month of August. This is to honour the women who marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to fight for the right to be recognised as equal citizens.

This province recently hosted a successful Women’s Day event at King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium which was addressed by President Jacob Zuma, who reiterated that the ANC-led government remains committed to making the lives of women in this country better. We are also entering the second phase of radical economic transformation. Having recently emerged from successful general elections, we are humbled by the support the people of this country have shown the ANC. They have given us a mandate to continue addressing the challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality.

In order to effect radical economic transformation, we have to change the way we do things. To this end, the Department of Arts and Culture is reviewing its strategy to make it more responsive to the needs of the people of this province. Therefore, radical economic transformation will be the cornerstone of all our programmes. This will unlock the potential of the arts and culture sector as a major contributor to the economy of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).

Arts and culture play a crucial role in nation-building as well as in developing a new national identity reflective of our democracy. In the current financial year we will intensify the implementation of our Social Cohesion Programme to ensure that people are proud of their diverse culture and heritage. At the heart of this programme will be the Ziqhenye Ngezwe Lakho Campaign (Be Proud of Your Country) which will be implemented in schools to instill a sense of patriotism and educate the youth about our national symbols.

We are working towards strengthening cooperation between the department and artists in the province. I am happy to report that we have recently established an Interim Artists Federation Committee to ensure that artists in KwaZulu-Natal speak with one voice.

As I present the 2014/15 budget speech to you, I want to indicate that with your support, we are committed to provide leadership in repositioning arts and culture as an integral part of our efforts to effect change in our society. Twenty years of freedom is a milestone we should all embrace and celebrate with a great sense of pride and humility. The department will engage in a number of activities to mark this momentous achievement.

Honourable Chairperson,

The department is committed to strengthening the sound administrative systems already in place which are based on good corporate governance principles.

I have consistently maintained that our staff complement is inadequate to deliver on the department’s mandate. However, despite the limited resources at our disposal, we have been able to fill more than 50 percent of the staff establishment. Within the parameters of the Provincial Recovery Plan we also have identified 54 critical posts. The recruitment and selection process is currently underway.

We remain committed to achieving equity targets at a senior management level. Currently, we stand at below 50 percent of women at senior management level however a plan is in place to improve this situation over the

Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). The number of people living with disabilities who work for the department stands at 1.9 percent. We will continue conducting targeted recruitment to meet our targets by working closely with the relevant associations.

The National Development Plan calls upon the Department of Arts and Culture to develop programmes aimed at transforming and uniting our society.

Honourable Chairperson,

I now move to Cultural Affairs which focuses on among other things, the promotion of multiculturalism, multilingualism and the development of the arts and culture sector in the province.

Our efforts to expand arts and culture infrastructure in the province are yielding positive results. I am pleased to report that the Department has secured funding of R42 million from provincial Treasury to build KwaZulu-Natal’s first Arts Academy. Consultation between the Department of Education in the province, the Department of Higher Education and other stakeholders is underway.

The department had committed to this Honourable House to build at least one art centre per district municipality. In order to realise that vision, we have to date built such facilities in Mbazwana, Bulwer, Osizweni and uThungulu. Upon review, we realised that the new arts centres, due to limited funding, merely provide basic infrastructure which is not geared towards achieving the intended objectives holistically.

The department will continue to provide support to existing arts centres, with The Playhouse Company and KZN Philharmonic Orchestra remaining the major beneficiaries receiving R7.445 million and R10.230 million respectively. The BAT Centre, Catalina, Ewushwini, Gobhela, Jambo, Khula, Rorkes Drift and Stable Theatre will receive a combined amount of R4.6 million in the current financial year. We will continue to provide direct transfers to the value of R7.3 million to arts and culture organisations in the province.

KZN Music House has been transferred from the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DEDTEA) to the Department of Arts and Culture. We will continue to work together with the DEDTEA to ensure sustainability of this important facility. A task team has been established to re-evaluate KZN Music House’s mandate. We remain committed to ensuring that this facility continues to unearth musical talent in the province.

Honourable Chairperson

Winston Churchill in Msunduzi has been refurbished and will now provide rehearsal and performance platforms to all aspirant theatre and drama artists. Cathedral Peak in uThukela and RS Skinner Camp in Umgungundlovu will also be renovated at a cost of approximately R4.5 million. These two campsites are multi-faceted facilities and can be used for a number of programmes ranging from camping, meetings to sporting events. We are tightening up monitoring of these campsites to ensure their sustainability.

A total of 42 arts and culture organisations identified by the KwaZulu-Natal Arts Council will receive grants-in-aid to the tune of R1.8 million.

Honourable Chairperson

Anti-Music Piracy

The Anti-Music Piracy Campaign will be intensified working in collaboration with law enforcement agencies through the Justice and Security Cluster. This campaign is important to us as music piracy has a negative impact on both our economy and the arts sector.

Arts Development

An amount of R3 million has been set aside for an artist skills training programme. The number of artists that will benefit from this initiative will increase from 2745 to 4105 in 2014/15. The department will offer training in the following fields; graphic design, choreography, film making and directing as well as business management.

Honourable Members, the department has initiated two signature events to create more platforms for our artists and to promote KwaZulu-Natal on an international front. I am pleased to report that the department will host The Awesome Africa in the Ilembe District in the current financial year. Apart from creating a platform for artists to showcase their talent, the festival incorporates an element of capacity building. During the launch in July, a number of local artists in the area benefitted from music workshops conducted by an internationally acclaimed jazz musician, Kirk Whalum.

Culture Development

Honourable Chairperson, as a department we are mandated plans to preserve, develop and promote the diverse cultures in KwaZulu-Natal. This includes creating awareness about the significance of cultural days which feature prominently in our provincial calendar, namely, Freedom Day, Africa Day, uMkhosi kaNomkhubulwane, uMkhosi WoMhlanga, uMkhosi Wesivivane, uMkhosi weLembe, Diwali, uMkhosi Woselwa, the Afrikaner Cultural Festival and Eastern Rendezvous.

It is through appreciation of our cultures that we can transform society and build a united nation. In this regard, the department will intensify its Social Cohesion Programme and endeavor to reach out to all cultural backgrounds.

Kollig KKK, Ingoma YaseMbumbulu and a multi-cultural expose’ are planned to take place in the Eastern Region. The Western Region is continuing to attract more people to its events which are now all growing in stature. This year will also see the staging of the Amajuba Rainbow Show, Ingoma YaseNquthu, Inqoma yaseMachunwinini, BaSotho Cultural Day, uThukela and Umzinyathi Eastern Cultural Celebrations. The Southern Region will hold Wildsfees, Intercultural exhibition and a Multicultural Expose’ whilst the Northern Region will intensify its Dolosfees and ABSA Inniriet Roots events.

Language Services

Honourable Chairperson,

Ulimi luyingxenye yesiko nemvelaphi yethu. Kuyangijabulisa ukunazisa ukuthi umthehto sivivinyo wesifundazwe obhekele ukusetshenziswa wolimi usuya ngasemaphethelweni. Kodwa uzophinde wethulwe kulendlu ikomidi elibhekene nezobiCiko namaSiko esifundazweni.

Malunga ahloniphekile siyakholelwa ekutheni ulwazi lwendabuko kumele lube ingxenye yokufundiswayo ezikoleni namathuba omsebenzi avezwe kulomkhakha. Ukuqinisekisa lokhu, umnyango uzofaka imali kucwaningo lokuthuthukiswa kolwazi lwesintu. Lena ingxenye esalele ngemumva kakhulu ngokocwaningo futhi enganikeziwe isithunzi esifanele.

We plan to reintroduce the Language Bill to this house through the Portfolio Committee on Arts and Culture. We have noted the concerns raised by the committee and are addressing them.

A language festival will be staged in collaboration with the Department of Education to promote multilingualism. We will continue to provide financial support to 65 reading and writing clubs as part of our efforts to encourage authors who write in indigenous languages. The department is also set to co-host Poetry Africa in partnership with the University of KwaZulu-Natal in October.

The department will continue to offer translation, interpreting and editing services to government departments, agencies and state institutions. We urge these stakeholders to take advantage of this provision in order to increase access to government services to the people of KZN.

Significant strides have been made on geographical naming. 211 names have been changed in the province, 20 more are in the process of being gazzeted and another 20 are currently being considered for change. These are names of villages that were not registered such as eMabheleni, KwaBhisi, eNkalaneni, eZihlabathini and others.

Libraries

Access to information has always been a sore point to the majority of our communities, especially in rural areas. I am happy to report however that since 1994 we have built a large number of new public libraries and have spent in excess of R444 milllion towards these facilities. This provincial government now boasts at least one public library per local municipality.

The libraries we build nowadays match those built anywhere in the world in terms of standard, features and what they have to offer. This is indeed worth celebrating, especially in view of the high levels of illiteracy in the province. Due to the high costs that come with erecting such structures, funds limit the number of libraries the department can build in a year. However, the additional funding from the Conditional Grant for Community Libraries has paved the way for increased infrastructure.

During the 2014/15 financial year, R165 million will be spent on the construction of new libraries as well as the finalisation of those already being built. The construction of new libraries will take place in Ingwavuma and Manyiseni, both in Jozini , Charlestown in Newcastle, Port Shepstone in Hibiscus Coast, Bilanyoni in Dumbe, Imbali in Msunduzi and Maqongqo in Mkhambathini. This year will also see the completion of Ndumo Library in Jozini, Nkungumathe Library in Nkandla, Vulamehlo Library as well as Maphumulo Library.

The department’s financial support towards the construction of the eThekwini Mega Library remains one of the biggest investments we have made towards the provision of information. Imbali Library, which will be built at a cost of R65m, is indeed the department’s flagship project. It boasts numerous facilities such as an auditorium and is centrally located.

Upgrades, renovations and extensions, which are expected to cost in the region of R16.5 million will take place in the following libraries: Bruntville in Mpofana, KwaMbonambi in uMfolozi, Adams College in eThekwini, Mthunzini in Umlalazi, Howick Library in Umngeni, and Utrecht in Emadlangeni as well as library depots in Dundee in Endumeni, Pinetown in eThekwini and Head Office in Umsunduzi. Nzimakwe and KwaXolo study libraries both in Hibiscus Coast are at initial stages and the project designs are still to take place.

These infrastructure projects will see more than 100 job opportunities being created. We also plan to increase the number of libraries offering free internet access. By the end of the current financial year, almost all libraries will boast this facility.

Mobile library trucks will be dispatched to supplement our library offerings in deep rural areas. The department has set aside R26 million during this financial period to procure 180 000 new library materials to complement the existing stock and to ensure that it is still relevant. This marks a 20% increase from the previous fiscal year. Libraries are the cornerstone of education and are therefore the department’s contribution to government’s Human Resource Development agenda. The library materials to be procured include books, magazines and audio visuals.

The specialised library service includes toy collections to help entice young children, mini-libraries for the blind in seven libraries across KZN as well as E-Books. The digital book collection supports both the school curriculum and distance learning.

As part of efforts to enhance youth skills development, libraries will undertake promotional projects which include participation in National Library Week and producing Literacy Week packages. We have found that storytelling and drama have ignited enthusiasm and momentum in public libraries, therefore Africa Ignite will continue rolling out these activities through the reading tents format.

I am happy to report that stock taking of more than 3.5 million library books is already underway. The introduction of Radio Frequency Identification tagging of these books will ensure that we comply with the new Treasury Regulations. The inventory management system is an important tool for securing the department’s library material.

Archives

Honourable Chairperson, Archives are at the centre of our celebration of 20 Years of Freedom. It is for this reason that the department will be intensifying the implementation of the KwaZulu-Natal Archives and Records Services Act. We will be embarking on roadshows throughout the province to create awareness about the act and its content. The department plans to establish a film, video and sound preservation unit which will preserve information in these areas. We will also develop a Digitisation Strategy to guide our drive to computerize archival information.

Another area that the department will pay more attention to is Oral History. Our aim is to record history as it occurred and not as we wished it to happen. The unit will also record various parts of our province’s history such as the 20 years of democracy festivities, political violence in KZN and veterans on the struggle for liberation.

As part of celebrating 60 years of the Women Charter, the department hosted a memorial lecture on Mrs Nokuthela Dube, the first wife to Rev, Dr John Langalibalele Dube. This work involved research in South Africa and the United States, supervised by Professor Sheriff Keita. I am pleased to inform this House that the National Department Arts and Culture is working on a submission to the National Heritage Council to recognise Nokuthela Dube’s grave as a National Heritage Asset. Malibongwe!

The department has also met with Freedom Park leadership to arrange for a memorial for KZN’s liberation struggle heritage focusing on women. The department plans to deposit 500 names of women into the Freedom Park repository in the current financial year. We plan to visit Freedom Park this month with the intention of submitting a list of our fallen women leaders who played an active role in the struggle for freedom. Mama Nokuthela Dube’s name will form part of the list.

The department is currently conducting interviews and collecting stories on the role played by the youth during the terrible political violence in the Hammersdale area in the late 80's and 90’s. The department is committed to assisting those affected to get rehabilitated through our social cohesion programme.

Also at the top of the department’s agenda is the repatriation of archival records and artifacts which are located all over the world. Auctions with South African content will be considered with a view to buy artifacts back. Countries such as Lesotho, Swaziland, Mozambique, Russia, UK, Algeria, Ethopia, Zambia and Angola have already been earmarked for research purposes. Successful bids were made on seven key items including a large isihlangu dating back to 1879 from the iNgobamakhosi regiment, a unique iwisa (knobkerrie), iklwa (a large bladed stabbing spear) and isizenze (a half-moon antique axe). These rare items which form part of our cultural heritage were repatriated and will form part of our museum collection.

Museums

The department has committed to transforming the Museums Services unit, both in terms of content and architecture. I am happy to inform this Honourable House that considerable amount of work has gone into this. Museums Services has joined libraries in the provincialisation process. During the 2014/15 period, we will provide financial assistance to 37 museums through this process. 19 museums will receive subsidies in the form of transfers.

I call upon the people of KwaZulu-Natal to join this government, this Honourable House and the provincial Department of Arts and Culture in celebrating the completion of two new museums in the province, namely, Mpophomeni Eco Museum and eQhudeni Museum. We have also completed up renovations at Utrecht Museum at a total cost of R2.4m.

The museums infrastructure programme for 2014/15 includes building a new museum in Port Shepstone and a curator’s cottage at Gerhard Bhengu Museum in Centocow. Planning is set to be concluded for construction of a Museum of Education in Durban,  Nelson Mandela Capture Site Museum, Tembe Heritage Precinct, Dr. Margaret Mncadi Museum and Amazwi Abesifazane Museum.

A number of research projects will be undertaken in collaboration with the Oral History unit to profile Dr. Margaret Mncadi and the Women of Ixopo, Unsung Heroes of Himeville and Underberg, the Battle of Isandlwana in 1879, The 1860 Heritage Centre and AmaHlubi of Amajuba District. We also plan to digitise our museum items.

War Room Intervention Programme

Honourable Chairperson, the department has designed departmental services in the form of packages to be delivered at ward level. In the 2013/14 Adjustments Estimates we received R29 million to roll out this programme. It aims to help young people realise their potential by channeling their creativity towards constructive and productive activities, encouraging positive lifestyles. The programme addresses social ills such as drug abuse, teenage pregnancy and HIV/AIDS.

The package contains a wide range of arts and culture programmes – such as training on visual and performing arts, craft, the establishment of reading and writing clubs and involving communities in nation building programmes such as the geographical place naming process. 90% of the equipment to be used in the roll out of the programme has already been delivered, the bulk of which includes musical instruments for arts centres and in war rooms. The instruments cater for a variety of genres and all our programmes are designed to create job opportunities.

Conclusion

I would like to thank the Honourable Premier for entrusting me with the responsibility of providing political leadership to Department of Arts and Culture, the Arts and Culture and the Finance Portfolio Committees, my family, the Head of Department and the staff of the Department of Arts and Culture - for their support.

I now table the budget for the Department of Arts and Culture (Vote 15) for 2014/15 financial year of R705 112 million.

• Programme 1: R100 579 million
• Programme 2: R149 620 million
• Programme 3: R454 913 million

I thank you.