Question NW2028 to the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
15 June 2023 - NW2028
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
(1). Whether the staff component of the (a) Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra and (b) KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra have been affected by funding-related issues since the establishment of the orchestras; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, in what way. (2). whether the number of staff has been reduced since the establishment of each of the orchestras; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (3). whether the Government is still providing the orchestras with full funding; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details. (4). whether artists are regarded as secondary to administration; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
(1). Regarding 1 & 2 above, it should be noted that the national Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture (DSAC) does not administer provincial and city orchestras; these orchestras do not report to DSAC and do not fall within the ambit of DSAC. Therefore, DSAC is not able to answer questions regarding operational matters of provincial and city orchestras.
(3). The government has never provided full funding for provincial and city orchestras.
(4). As explained in Mrs V van Dyk’s questions before, the policy of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and the National Arts Council is that 75% of the budget must be spent on artists-related matters and only up to 25% on operations including administration. So clearly, the government, by policy and law, does not regard artists as secondary to administration