ATC180213: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Arts and Culture on an oversight visit to the National Heritage Monument dated 13 February 2018

Arts and Culture

Report of the Portfolio Committee on Arts and Culture on an oversight visit to the National Heritage Monument (Pretoria); Botshabelo Heritage Site; Makhonjwa World Heritage Site; Samora Machel Museum; Ester Mahlangu House; Kwaggafontein Library; Emthonjeni Library; Mashishing Township Library; Langeloop Library; Sabie Library; Mpumalanga Archive; Matsamo Customs and Traditional Centre and the Tfolalwati Youth Development and Community Arts Centre (Mpumalanga), dated 13 February 2018

 

The Portfolio Committee on Arts and Culture, having undertaken an oversight visit to the National Heritage Monument; Botshabelo Heritage Site; Makhonjwa World Heritage Site; Samora Machel Museum; Ester Mahlangu House; Kwaggafontein Library; Emthonjeni Library; Mashishing Township Library; Langeloop Library; Sabie Library; Mpumalanga Archive; Matsamo Customs and Traditional Centre and the Tfolalwati Youth Development and Community Arts Centre, reports as follows:

 

1.         Introduction

 

1. The Portfolio Committee on Arts and Culture conducted an oversight visit the National Heritage Monument; Botshabelo Heritage Site; Makhonjwa World Heritage Site; Samora Machel Museum; Ester Mahlangu House; Kwaggafontein Library; Emthonjeni Library; Mashishing Township Library; Langeloop Library; Sabie Library; Mpumalanga Archive; Matsamo Customs and Traditional Centre and the Tfolalwati Youth Development and Community Arts Centre, 31 July- 04 August 2017.

 

1.2        The Committee visited four heritage sites, five libraries, two community arts centres, one provincial archive, and conducted a visit to Ester Mahlangu. The delegation held meetings with all relevant stakeholders in order to gain first-hand information and to discuss challenges faced by them.  

 

1.3        This report provides a summary of the key issues that emerged from the interaction with stakeholders, officials of the provincial department as well as the Portfolio Committee’s deliberations, observations and recommendations. 

 

2.Delegation

 

1. LIBRARIES

 

1. Portfolio Committee on Arts and Culture: Hon X Tom, MP (ANC) (Chairperson), Hon NK Bilankulu (ANC), Hon JL Mahlangu (ANC), Hon T Makondo (ANC), Hon SP Tsoleli (ANC), Dr. GA Grootboom (DA), Hon MW Rabotapi (DA).

Apologies: Hon VP Mogotsi (ANC), Hon PWA Mulder (FFPlus), Hon F Mokoena (EFF), Hon JA Esterhuizen (IFP).

1. Stakeholders: Ms. W Malizele (Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation: Team Leader); Mr. Z Sibanyoni (Department of Sport, Culture and Recreation: Regional Head); Ms. N Dingayo (Department of Arts and Culture: Chief Director); Ms. A Topham (Department of Arts and Culture: Monitoring and Evaluation); Mr. S Nkanunu (Department of Arts and Culture: PLO); Ms E Gumba (Department of Sports, Culture and Recreation: Regional Librarian)
2. Staff Members: Ms. AE Mtiya (Committee Secretary), Ms. F Clayton (Researcher), Mr. J van der Westhuizen (Committee Assistant).

 

1.  HERITAGE SITES
   1. Portfolio Committee on Arts and Culture: Hon X Tom, MP (ANC) (Chairperson), Hon NK Bilankulu (ANC), Hon JL Mahlangu (ANC), Hon T Makondo (ANC), Hon SP Tsoleli (ANC), Dr. GA Grootboom (DA), Hon MW Rabotapi (DA).

Apologies: Hon VP Mogotsi (ANC), Hon PWA Mulder (FFPlus), Hon F Mokoena (EFF), Hon JA Esterhuizen (IFP).

1. Stakeholders: Ms. A Gidi (National Heritage Monument); Ms. L Ramaloko (National Heritage Monument); Mr. C Cupido (National Heritage Monument); Ms. R Masombuka (Town Planner); Ms. A Miya (National Heritage Monument); Ms. S Haines (National Heritage Monument); Ms. N Jones (National Heritage Monument); Dr. N Serote (Botshabelo Heritage Site); Mr. Sekhukhune (Botshabelo Heritage Site); Ms. E Maloma (Botshabelo Heritage Site); Mr. L Makwetla (Botshabelo Heritage Site); Ms. M Mathibela (Ward Councillor)
2. Staff Members: Ms. AE Mtiya (Committee Secretary), Ms. F Clayton (Researcher), Mr. J van der Westhuizen (Committee Assistant).

 

1. COMMUNITY ARTS CENTRES
   1. Portfolio Committee on Arts and Culture: Hon X Tom, MP (ANC) (Chairperson), Hon NK Bilankulu (ANC), Hon JL Mahlangu (ANC), Hon T Makondo (ANC), Hon SP Tsoleli (ANC), Dr. GA Grootboom (DA), Hon MW Rabotapi (DA).

Apologies: Hon VP Mogotsi (ANC), Hon PWA Mulder (FFPlus), Hon F Mokoena (EFF), Hon JA Esterhuizen (IFP).

1. Stakeholders: Mr. S Nkanunu (Department of Arts and Culture: PLO0: Mr. C Mabaso (Department of Arts and Culture)
2. Staff Members: Ms. AE Mtiya (Committee Secretary), Ms. F Clayton (Researcher), Mr. J van der Westhuizen (Committee Assistant).

 

1. MPUMALANGA  PROVINCIAL ARCHIVE
   1. Portfolio Committee on Arts and Culture: Hon X Tom, MP (ANC) (Chairperson), Hon NK Bilankulu (ANC), Hon JL Mahlangu (ANC), Hon T Makondo (ANC), Hon SP Tsoleli (ANC), Dr. GA Grootboom (DA), Hon MW Rabotapi (DA).

Apologies: Hon VP Mogotsi (ANC), Hon PWA Mulder (FFPlus), Hon F Mokoena (EFF), Hon JA Esterhuizen (IFP).

1. Stakeholders:  Mr. N Mahalefo (Department of Sports, Culture and Recreation (Head of Archives); Ms. W Malizele (Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation: Team Leader); Mr. Z Sibanyoni (Department of Sport, Culture and Recreation: Regional Head); Ms. N Dingayo (Department of Arts and Culture: Chief Director); Ms. A Topham (Department of Arts and Culture: Monitoring and Evaluation); Mr. S Nkanunu (Department of Arts and Culture: PLO); Ms E Gumba (Department of Sports, Culture and Recreation: Regional Librarian)
2. Staff Members:  Ms. AE Mtiya (Committee Secretary), Ms. F Clayton (Researcher), Mr. J van der Westhuizen (Committee Assistant).

 

1. ESTER MAHLANGU HOUSE

 

1. Portfolio Committee on Arts and Culture: Hon X Tom, MP (ANC) (Chairperson), Hon NK Bilankulu (ANC), Hon JL Mahlangu (ANC), Hon T Makondo (ANC), Hon SP Tsoleli (ANC), Dr. GA Grootboom (DA), Hon MW Rabotapi (DA).

Apologies: Hon VP Mogotsi (ANC), Hon PWA Mulder (FFPlus), Hon F Mokoena (EFF), Hon JA Esterhuizen (IFP).

1. Stakeholders: Ms. E Mahlangu; Ms. MP Msiza (MMC: Social Development Service and Community Safety); Ms. A Aphane (Acting Social Development Services Manager)
2. Staff Members: Ms. AE Mtiya (Committee Secretary), Ms. F Clayton (Researcher), Mr. J van der Westhuizen (Committee Assistant).

 

1. Oversight and Monitoring Visit to the following libraries:
   1. Thembisile Hani Public Library (previously Kwaggafontein Library)
   2. Emthonjeni Library
   3. Mashishing Township Library
   4. Langeloop Library
   5. The Sabie Library

 

1. Committees Observations:

 

• Thembisile Hani Public Library (previously the Kwaggafontein Library)

The Thembisile Hani Public Library is one of five public libraries in the Thembisile Hani Local Municipality.  The population of the Thembisile Hani Township is estimated at 46956. The library was opened the 20 March 2008. The library is located in the central part of the municipality and serves the community of all six wards. There are 14 secondary schools, 11 primary schools and 15 pre-schools in the area. The library currently has 405 active members and has an average walk in of 151 community members daily. Membership at the library is free and the library does interlibrary loans to other public libraries. The library has a staff compliment of five workers, four of whom are appointed by the municipality and the Provincial Department of Sport, Culture and Recreation (DSCR) appoint one.

 

The library has 8860 library materials all provided by the DSCR. The DCSR also provided the library with six computers for the community to access ICT services. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation sponsored Mzansi ICT Online project will provide the library with nine computers and two tablets in the current financial year.    

 

• Emthonjeni Library

            The Emthonjeni Public Library is one of the six libraries in the Emakhazeni Municipality. The             library is situated in the Emthonjeni Township, which has an estimated population of 11500 people. The township has three schools, one primary school, one secondary school, a boarding school and two crèches. The library has 5057 library materials. The library charges a membership fee of R53.00 for adults, R13.50 for children and R78.00 for a family. Currently the library has a membership of 100 but has a high number of users, with a monthly average of 930 walk-ins. The library offers free internet access to all users and provides interlibrary loans on books. The library has three staff members appointed by the DSCR, and has a vacant position for an IT Library Assistant.        

       

            The DSCR in partnership with the National Department of Arts and Culture through the conditional grants fund commenced with the construction of the library during the 2014/15 financial year. The library was officially handed over to Emakhazeni Municipality on 09 February 2016. The total cost of the building, furniture, books and computers was R10 807 070.93.

 

            The library with the support of the DSCR markets itself through library marketing campaigns, Outreach programmes and school visit that aim to promote the culture of reading for the community of Emakhazeni Municipality. The library also celebrates calendar months to market and promote libraries.

          

• Mashishing Township Library

The Mashishing Township Library was built by the Thaba Chweu Local Municipality in October 1977 and in 2007, the DSCR upgraded the library.  However, in 2009 service delivery protestors in the Mashishing Township burned down the library. In 2014, Glencor erected a new structure (Thusong Centre) and it was opened on 17 May 2015, thus housing the library within the centre.

Currently the library has a collection of 9785 books which are relatively new since the last collection was destroyed in the 2009 fire and a few old books which are donations. The library has not received new books in the 2017/18 financial year due to the termination of the Library Management System. The students and youth for internet access primarily use the library. The membership tariffs are R54.00 per adult and R32.00 for children. The library has a total membership of 55 individuals comprised of 21 adults and 34 children.

• Emtfuntini Public Library (previously Langeloop Library)

The Emtfuntini Public Library was established in 2008 and its one of the seven public libraries under the Nkomazi Local Municipality. The library services three communities and well as five schools (one secondary, one combined, one preschool and two primary schools) within the area, approximately 8000 people. The library currently has a collection of 2944, in the 2016/17 financial year the library has not received any new material due to the termination of the Library Management System. The library tariffs are exorbitant with a membership costing as much as R118.00 for an adult and R46.00 for minors and pensioners. The library is understaffed with only one librarian.

 

In the 2016/17 financial year the DSCR renovated the library using the Community Library Conditional Grant, with a total of R1 020 000.00.         

 

• Sabie Library

The Sabie Library was established in 1989 under Transvaal provincial administration, it is situated in Sabie under Thaba Chweu Local Municipality. It serves three communities, i.e. Simile residents, Harmony Hill and Sabie town.  It is situated in the town’s central business district (CBD) which is good for business, town residents and tourist. Sabie Public Library is one of the six libraries under Thaba Chweu Local municipality. The DSCR is in the process of appointing a qualified librarian at the library.

The library was built by the municipality and was upgraded by the DSCR. The library has access to Wi-Fi, Internet and study facilities.  The amount spend on the upgrade is R 4354 472.49 in 2016/17.

 

1. Committees Findings

 

1. Membership Fees: The library membership fee was too high, this prevented communities from accessing full usage of the library. The Committee found that the costs associated with making copies were also too high. The Committee further found that the libraries were situated in rural areas and most families were indigent families and could not afford the library facilities.  
2. Operating hours: The libraries generally open Monday- Friday 08:00- 17:00; Saturday 09:00 – 13:00 and closed on Sundays. The operating hours do not benefit scholars as some schools break at 15:00 and learners need to walk long distances to get to the library.   
3. Structure of buildings: The Committee found that the standard of the library buildings was not uniform, not friendly for the users. An ideal structure for a library should consist of a children’s play section, children’s activity room, reading section, discussion room, computer room, proper lighting and air conditioning.  
4. Relegation of library responsibility to municipality: The Committee found that the Provincial Department of Arts and Culture after renovating and upgrading the libraries handed the libraries over to the Municipality to run and maintain. This was unconstitutional as the libraries were a constitutional mandate of the Provincial Department. 
5. Insufficient Staff: There was insufficient staff working in the libraries and this affected the services provided by the library; this also affected heavily on the operating hours especially on the weekend.     
6. Up to date library material: The Library Management System was terminated in 2016 and this has resulted in the shortage of processing library material. In May 2017, the Provincial Department appointed a contracted service provider for processing the material.   
7. Proper signage: This was a matter of concern particularly in Mashishing where three different kinds of libraries carry the same name; viz. a regional, public and township library are all known as Mashishing Library.

 

1. Committees Recommendations

 

1. Membership Fees: The Provincial Department should fast-track the introduction of free membership for students to enable student’s full access to library material.
2. Operating hours: The operating hours of libraries should be increased to accommodate the users particularly on the weekend.
3. Structure of buildings: The Department should develop a uniform structural plan for all libraries and ensure that they are standardized to suit the needs of the communities.  
4. Relegation of library responsibility to municipality: The Provincial Department should reconsider the delegation of their constitutional mandate to municipalities.  
5. Insufficient staff: The Department through the conditional grant should ensure that vacant positions are filled and all libraries are properly resourced in terms of human capital.  
6. Up to date library material: The Department should fast track the appointment of a service provider to process library material.

 

1. Oversight and Monitoring Visit at the Heritage Site, namely;
   1. National Heritage Monument
   2. Botshabelo Heritage Site
   3. Makhonjwa World Heritage Site
   4. Samora Machel Museum

 

4.1 Committees Observations

 

• National Heritage Monument

The National Heritage Monument and Long March to Freedom has been under development and positioned as a leading South African heritage tourism destination since 2011. The Presidency, the Gauteng Province and the Office of the Premier endorsed the project. Ministers of Arts and Culture, Tourism, Trade and Industry, Education, Communication and Public Works as well as their Parliamentary Portfolio Committees also endorsed the project.

 

• Botshabelo Heritage Site

            Botshabelo (meaning “a place of refuge”) began as a mission station established by the Reverend Alexander Merensky from the Berlin Missionary Society during the 1860s as a haven for Christians and converted BaPedi refugees fleeing from the persecution of Chief Sekukhune. The Botshabelo Mission Station comprised many old farms over time. In 1972, the city council of Middleburg purchased Botshabelo, and the Mission was targeted for removals. Subsequently, individuals and families were forcibly removed to Motetema, a township located approximately 90km north of Botshabelo. Those who were evicted were forced to leave their livestock behind, losing not only their rights to the land but also a significant source of livelihood. Botshabelo is now a historical town surrounded by the Botshabelo Nature Reserve. The Fort Merensky is in the possession of the Heritage Association of South Africa (formerly the Simon van der Stel Foundation). It comprises open-air museum that pays homage to Ndebele architecture, the site includes Fort Merensky and the parsonage amongst other restored buildings. The complex also incorporates a Ndebele village on the south side of the Keeromspruit, whose residents are descendants of the original baPedi who sought refuge there.

 

            In 1997, the Botshabelo community (over 1000 families) lodged a claim for the restitution of its land rights which was gazetted in 1998.  The claim was settled in 2002 in terms of the Restitution of Land Rights Act (Act 22 of 1994) and at the time was the largest land claim to be settled in Mpumalanga.  

 

• Makhonjwa World Heritage Site

In 2009, the Barberton Mountain Land World Heritage Site Nomination Committee registered this site as a property to be considered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for inscription on the World Heritage List.

 

The Makhonjwa Mountains covers part of at least two local municipalities, namely the Mbombela and Albert Luthuli Local Municipalities.

 

• Samora Machel Museum

The Samora Machel Project is one of several national legacy projects initiated by government and implemented by the DAC. Former President Nelson Mandela, his wife Graça Machel and then President of Mozambique, Joaquim Chissano inaugurated a monument at the crash site in 1999. Architect José Alberto Basto Pereira Forjaz designed the monument. The memorial site was subsequently upgraded and a museum was officially opened on 19 October 2009. In 2006, a community library, the Mbuzini Samora Machel Public Library, was opened to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Machel’s death. The crash site is associated to the Resistance and Liberation Heritage Route project, and was declared a national heritage site on 31 October 2016.

 

The DAC is currently working towards further restoration and upgrading of Samora Machel monument and museum.  In July 2016, the DAC advertised a tender for the appointment of a contractor for the first phase of the project.  The 2015/16 annual report indicated that Phase 2 of the project was in the planning phase by the end of that financial year.

 

      4.2 Committee Findings

 

• National Heritage Monument

 

• Land ownership – the ownership of the land was a challenge for the future of the project. The land is owned by the City of Tshwane.
• Outcomes of the Forensic Investigation – the committee observed that the future of the project was in jeopardy due to the Department withholding funds amounting to R17million during the investigation into the alleged case of double dipping by the NHM.
• Lack of Communication by the Steering Committee – the steering committee was not functional resulting in poor communication between the Department and the National Heritage Monument

 

• Botshabelo Heritage Site

• Lack of skills- the Committee observed that the Botshabelo Community lacked the technical knowledge to manage the site hampering the community from harnessing the sites full potential
• Legislative matters – the Committee observed that since this was a provincial heritage site that belongs to a trust, legislation placed restrictions on the management and maintenance of the site
• Election of the Board of Trustees- the Committee observed that the elections of the Board of Trustees had been marred by disruptions leaving a leadership gap. This has affected the level of assistance that different government structures can provide.  

 

• Samora Machel Museum

• Building- the Committee observed that the building housing the museum was not structurally sound and may have to be demolished
• Building grounds: the Committee observed that the grounds housing the museum looked unkept and was not properly taken care of. 

 

1. Committee Recommendations

 

• National Heritage Monument

• Land ownership- the National Heritage Monument should consider going into a 99year lease contract with the City of Tswane
• Outcomes of the Forensic Investigation – the Department should communicate the findings of the investigation. If the NHC is found innocent, the Department should ensure that the funds are released to the NHC, to continue with their work. 
• Lack of Communication- the Department and the NHC should hold quarterly meetings. 

     

1. Oversight and Monitoring Visit at:
   1. Matsamo Customs and Traditional Centre
   2. Tfolalwati Youth and Community Arts Centre

 

1. Committees Observations

 

• Matsamo Customs and Traditional Centre

The Matsamo Customs and Traditional Centre (Matsamo) was established in 2000, and is strategically located on the border between South Africa and Swaziland. The movement of people crossing the border into both countries contributes to a competitive advantage to the business. In 2010 the burned down. However in 2014 a c-operative was formed by the employees and they took over ownership of the business. The co-operative has in the medium term played a major role in the transformation of the people of Nkomazi and in the tourism sector through the cultural activities.  

 

Matsamo is a level one BBBEE, comprising of 67% women ownership and is 100% black owned. The Centre offers cultural village tour guides, restaurant facilities, curio products, wedding venues and training services for Swazi culture. Matsamo is not funded and is self-sufficient relying on the tours and other services provided by the Centre to operate.   

 

• Tfolalwati Youth and Community Arts Centre

The Centre located in KaNyamazane, approximately 30 km east of Nelspruit. The institution currently runs its operations from KaNyamazane Baptist Church. Registered as a Non-Profit Organization (NPO), the Centre offers a host of services relating to the arts, culture and heritage sector. The Centre receives funding from the Department of Social Development and the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) for its activities. Recently, it also received a donation in kind from the National Youth Development Agency in the form of office equipment.

 

 

1. Committee Findings

 

• Matsamo Customs and Traditional Centre

• Lack of advertising by Department- the Committee observed that the Matsamo management was not aware of the Departments Mzansi Golden Economy work streams which the establishment could potentially tap into for assistance
• Lack of support from Provincial and National Departments - the Committee observed that the management tries on several occasions to engage both the provincial and national Departments with little to no reaction
• Registration of the Village- the Committee observed that the Matsamo was currently registered in terms of Section 21 of the Companies Act (Act 71 of 2008) i.e a company not for gain. The 

 

• Tfolalwati Youth and Community Arts Centre
  • Building – the Committee observed that the Centre does not have a building to operate from. The Centre currently operates out of a church and should the tenure of the church end they will have no place to conduct their activities.  Management was working with the local ward councilor but finding a place was proving to be a challenge
  • Promised funding – the Committee observed that the Centre was in possession of confirmation of funding that was supposed to be disbursed by the Department. The funds were still outstanding.

 

1. Oversight and Monitoring Visit to Ester Mahlangu

 

• Committees Observations

Ms. Ester Mahlangu is a world-renowned artist credited with elevating the Ndebele painting and culture on the world stage through her work. She is well known for her bold large-scale contemporary paintings that reference her Ndebele heritage. Ms. Mahlangu has worked on BMW, Fiat, Belvedere and many other globally recognized brands. 

 

• Committees Findings:

• Lack of support- the Committee observed that the Ester Mahlangu lacked support from the Department in her initiatives to preserve and promote Ndebele art and culture
• Exploitation – the Committee observed that there was no proper inventory of her work that has left the country, which left her vulnerable to exploitation
• Lack of copyright- the Committee observed that her brand lacked copyright protection of her online presence in the form of images of herself and her artwork.

 

• Committee Recommendations

• The Committee recommends that the National and Provincial Departments support Ester Mahlangu with her art works and ensure that those who are tasked with promoting and protecting her brand are trained to protect her legacy, and not exploit her work.      

 

1. Oversight and Monitoring Visit to the Mpumalanga Archives

     

• Committees Observations

While the archives other than national archives is a functional area of exclusive provincial legislative competence, the Committee paid a courtesy visit to the Mpumalanga Provincial Archive (MPA) in Nelspruit with the purpose of being briefed on progress made and constraints experiences since the MPA was instituted.

 

• Committees Findings

• Adequate staffing- the Committee observed that the Provincial Archive was understaffed
• Security – the Committee observed that the building was not properly secured. The fencing was inadequate which led to incidents of cable theft.

 

1. Conclusion

The Committee indicated that a report would be generated on the oversight and monitoring visit and findings and recommendations contained in the report would be communicated to the Minister of Arts and Culture for attention and implementation.  

 

1. Appreciation

The delegation, led by Hon XS Tom MP (Chairperson: Portfolio Committee on Arts and Culture), thanked all the stakeholders that participated in the oversight and opening up their organizations to the Portfolio Committee.

 

Report to be considered.

 

 

 

___________________________                                                            

Hon XS Tom MP                                                                                                          

Chairperson: PC on Arts and Culture