Question NW4617 to the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
13 December 2022 - NW4617
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
1. What (a) was the total budget allocation towards the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra (MNPO) for each of the past three financial years and (b)(i) total amount of the money has already been spent, (ii) by whom, (iii) how and (iv) on what; 2. (a) on what basis and in terms of what financial authority does the Chief Executive Officer of the MNPO, Mr Bongani Tembe, state that the MNPO will also contribute towards the funding of regional professional orchestras, among others and (b) on what date was the policy of his department changed to provide for such an action; 3. whether he will furnish Mrs V van Dyk with the annual reports of all philharmonic orchestras in the Republic, including the relevant details of (a) their artistic development of young musicians and (b) if they receive adequate support from his department and/or the National Arts Council of South Africa; if not, why not, in each case; if so, what are the full, relevant details in each case?
Reply:
The total budget allocation towards the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra (MNPO) for each of the past three financial years is as follows;
1.1 R11 515 600 (Eleven Million, Five Hundred and Fifteen Thousand Six Hundred Rands Only), allocated in the 2019 – 2020 financial year cycle;
1.2 R21 583 000 (Twenty-One Million, Five Hundred and Eighty-Three Thousand Rands Only), allocated in the 2020 – 2021 financial year cycle;
1.3 R21 583 000 (Twenty-One Million, Five Hundred and Eighty-Three Thousand Rands Only), based on 2021 – 2022 financial year cycle.
Therefore, the total funds ring-fenced over the three financial years is R54 681 600. This is inclusive of the administrative costs that remained with NAC. Spending of this amount only started after the funds were transferred to the MNPO in December 2021 and report detailing the expenditure will be submitted to the NAC when the right time arrives.
- One of the key role of the MNPO is to ensure the development and nurturing of regional orchestras. This mandate has got financial implication. It is on this basis that the MPNO has raised the matter. This does not in any way take away the role of funding from the NAC, but is a simply way of recognising and acknowledging that when they do developmental programmes, such will need strong financial resourcing by the MNPO than mere leap service.
- Honorable Mrs V van Dyk is aware that the funding of the orchestras is done by the National Arts Council (ANC). In line with the Constitution, there is direct accountability to Parliament by national departments and national public entities. Likewise, the NAC and or the Department will report will provide reports and such will include the funding that was allocated to various bodies this include philharmonic orchestras in the Republic.