Question NW3342 to the Minister of Arts and Culture
21 September 2015 - NW3342
Alberts, Mr ADW to ask the Minister of Arts and Culture
(1) Why (a) the Government’s subsidy to the Voortrekker Monument has been terminated and (b) was there no prior notice to or discussions with the management of the Voortrekker Monument; (2) whether not giving notice is standard practice for his department; if not, (a) why did his department deviate from customary practice and (b) what steps does he intends to take to correct this action; if so, in what way does this action meet the constitutional requirement of fair administrative action; (3) Whether he will consider reinstating the subsidy; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1(a). The Department has not stopped paying a subsidy to the Voortrekker Monument. The Voortrekker Monument is not a Declared Cultural Institution in terms of the Cultural Institutions Act and therefore does not receive a subsidy from the Department. However, the Department does provide funding to the Monument on an adhoc basis subject to the availability of funds. The Department has committed to transfer R1.3 Million to the Monument for the 2015/2016 financial year. To date, the DAC has transferred R1, 170 000 to the Voortrekker Monument in August 2015, and will transfer R130 000 on submission of a satisfactory expenditure report before the end of the current financial year.
(b). No discussion or prior notice was necessary since the MOU for the funding stipulates the terms and the funding period.
2(a). Non notification is not DAC standard practice.
(b). Standard practice was not deviated from as no discussion or prior notice was necessary since the MOU for the funding stipulates the terms and the funding period. No notification was required as the Voortrekker Monument receives ad hoc funding from the DAC and not annual funding as it is not a Declared Cultural Institution. My department has had several engagements with the Monument to see how best it can accommodate the Monument depending on the availability of funds.
3. As the Minister of Arts and Culture, I cannot reinstate a subsidy that did not exist. The Voortrekker Monument does not receive an annual subsidy as it is not a Declared Cultural Institution in terms of the Cultural Institutions Act.
END