Limpopo Study Tour Report: adoption

Meeting report

ARTS AND CULTURE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
31 May 2005
LIMPOPO STUDY TOUR REPORT: ADOPTION

Chairperson: Mr S Tsenoli (ANC)

Documents handed out:
Committee Limpopo Tour Report (Available at Committee Reports)
Committee Minutes for 8 March, Minutes for 11
Information Technology Training Memorandum

SUMMARY
The Committee considered the report of its tour to Limpopo (from 11 to 14 October 2004) to assess the status of arts and culture activities in the province. Members were concerned that the Provincial Department should follow up on complaints against the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for appropriating products without payment from some of the projects. The Committee unanimously adopted the report.

MINUTES
Limpopo Study Tour Report
A delegation from the Committee, led by Ms D Motubatse, had visited Limpopo Province from 11 to 14 October 2004. Other delegates were: Mr H Maluleka; Mr R Bhoola; Ms N Mbombo; Prince B Zulu; Mr M Matlala; Mr M Siboza and Mr T Madima. The Committee aimed to assess the status of arts and culture in the province by evaluating various projects and attending to the challenges faced by communities. Although the delegation made no financial commitments, it investigated how funds were currently being used to promote arts and culture as well as the level of financial support given by the Provincial Department.

The Provincial Arts and Culture Council (PACC) had briefed the delegation on the work of the culture associations it had established in all six districts. These associations had launched projects in rural areas (such as sewing; knitting; beadwork and woodcarving) in order to alleviate poverty. The PACC’s sub-directorate had given an initial grant to each project with the aim of making them self-sustainable. While the CSIR had pledged its support to some of these projects, it had not yet accounted for the sample products collected.

The PACC also described malfunctions within its library services, disability desk, heritage services and its unsatisfactory relationship with the Arts and Culture Directorate. However, the PACC’s main problem was the lack of funds due to budget constraints.

The delegation visited the following sites during the tour:
- Centenary House (a school for the disabled);
- Limpopo Airport Art Gallery (Mr J Maswanganyi, MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, addressed the delegation);
- Mukondeni Pottery (Vhembe District);
- Ms Noria Mabasa’s sculpture projects;
- Ifa textile project;
- Mopanie;
- Homu Minceka textile project;
- Mdavasi Jewellery (Nwamitwa);
- Sekhukhune College;
- Bosele Handicraft (a school for the blind and disabled), and
- Vuk’uzenzele Beadwork.

Discussion
Mr K Moonsamy (ANC) asked how the various projects would recover money from the CSIR for the sample products it had taken. Mr H Maluleka (ANC) referred to the report’s recommendation that Limpopo Province would deal with this matter. The delegation had agreed that the PACC would call the CSIR to a meeting to investigate the allegations.

Ms D Van der Walt (DA) commented that the role of the CSIR in previous projects was to improve the quality of products so that they were readily marketable. The Committee should set up a timeframe for the PACC’s reaction to the allegations against the CSIR.

Ms D Motubatse (ANC) noted that the delegation had also visited a project established by Chief Ngobi that had produced items (such as leather cushions) to the value of R240 000. The Department should support these artists who displayed an impressive professionalism. The Chairperson responded that the proper procedure would be followed. Firstly, the Committee would adopt the report; secondly, the tabled report would be sent to the Minister; thirdly, the report would be sent to Limpopo Province with a request for a response.

Ms Motubatse added that the Department should consider providing financial assistance to a project in the Phalaborwa area which did not have funds.

Mr Maluleka commented that the delegation was encouraged by the initiatives in Limpopo Province of elderly, illiterate women teaching children. The province had the potential to develop through the production of arts and crafts. Mr Maluleka proposed a Motion to adopt the report.

Ms Motubatse seconded the Motion. However, the section on the Ifa textile project, which produced products of very high quality, was too brief. Furthermore, the section on Sekhukhune College excluded information on the number of students attending the college, the financial support being offered by Anglo-American and other mining houses, and the recent renovations at the college. Sekhukhune had recently started a recycling project in which wood was used to make knives and forks.

The Committee adopted the report with minor technical amendments

Adoption of minutes
The Committee adopted the Clerk’s minutes of 8 and 11 March 2005, with minor technical amendments.

The meeting was adjourned.