Issued by: Ministry of Arts, Culture Science and Technology
Minister Ngubane today announced that Cabinet has approved five pieces of legislation emanating from the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology.
These draft bills are; The National Arts Council (NAC) Bill, National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI) Bill, National Lexicography Units Bill, Legal Deposit Bill and the National Film and Video Foundation Bill.
According to Minister Ben Ngubane, "this is a process to speed up delivery to the people of South Africa. This new legislation will ensure that equity and access are addressed and put into operation in a concrete fashion. It also signifies the Government's commitment to these sectors."
In each of their respective fields, the Bills will represent either a significant transformation of an existing Act, or will address and create legislation in areas that have previously been neglected. Once approved, these Acts will translate statements of intent and policies into action.
The NAC Bill will establish a statutory body, The National Arts Council. It will be responsible for the development and promotion of the full range of SA art forms, as well as developing its support services. It will go by the precepts of arms length funding, thus ensuring independence but also encouraging accountability.
The NACI Bill will constitute a body which will advise Government on the role of innovation, science and technology, while also focusing on commercialising these sectors for the practical benefit to SA.
The National Lexicography Units Bill, will provide for the establishment and management of national general monolingual dictionaries for all our official languages. The documentation of indigenous languages without unnecessary duplication will thus be guaranteed.
The Legal Deposit Bill makes provision for the deposit of books and other information bearing records (e.g. audio-visual and electronic publications) published or produced in SA, as well as those produced abroad and intended for distribution nationally. It will ensure the preservation of South African intellectual heritage.
The National Film and Video Foundation Bill will put in place a representative, 14 member Council which will finance, contain research information, and map out development and education with the view to promoting film. The Bill will also incorporate the establishment of a Film and Video Initiative and a Film Development Fund. This piece of legislation represents the Ministry's on-going efforts to transform this sector.
Frans Basson Tel: (021) 454850/70 8 July 1996