Question NO166 to the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
24 March 2025 - NO166
Mthethwa, Mr EM to ask the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture
(a) Who owns Downtown Studios also known as Downtown Music Hub and (b) What total amount has been spent by his department to maintain the equipment, technology, staff salaries, and operational costs, including but not limited to electricity, telephone bills, and other cost of Downtown Studios?
Reply:
The Downtown Music Hub was initially championed by former Minister of Arts and Culture Pallo Jordan to improve access to recording facilities for local musicians. The Downtown Music Hub houses Downtown Studios. This location has long been regarded as the home of local music production and is the birthplace of many significant musical sounds from the country, having recorded such legendary artists as Mahlathini, the Mahotella Queens, Lucky Dube, Stimela, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and many others. This history is still well kept, preserved, and displayed within the building, making the hub a valuable part of our cultural heritage.
- The National Arts Council (ANC), an entity of DSAC, owns the entire asset, which was purchased in 2008.
- Since then to date, about R93 308 001 had been provided as a grant to support the project and spending has been divided up as follows;
|
Year |
Description |
Value |
|---|---|---|
|
2008/2009 |
Initial investment in purchasing the asset and funding operations |
R7 509 560 |
|
2009/2010 |
Grant for operations |
R3 000 000 |
|
2010/2011 |
Grant for operations |
R3 000 000 |
|
2011/2012 |
Grant for operations |
R3 000 000 |
|
2012/2013 |
Grant for operations |
R3 823 441 |
|
2013/2014 |
Grant for infrastructure |
R20 000 000 |
|
2015/2016 |
Grant for operations |
R5 500 000 |
|
2016/2018 |
Grant for operations |
R11 975 000 |
|
2019/2020 |
Grant for operations |
R7 500 000 |
|
2020/2021 |
Grant for operations |
R6 000 000 |
|
2021/2022 |
Grant for operations |
R6 000 000 |
|
2022/2023 |
Grant for operations |
R6 000 000 |
|
2023/2024 |
Grant for operations |
R6 000 000 |
|
2024/2025 |
Grant for operations |
R4 000 000 |
As the Minister, I am continuing to provide oversight and ask critical questions around the operational funding that is being invested in the work of this facility, to ensure that it is still adding value to the ongoing development of the the music industry.