The Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture, and Recreation (SACR) spent R16.6 million supporting nine festivals featuring international, foreign-based artists in the last five financial years.
This information was revealed by the Gauteng MEC for SACR, Matome Chiloane, in a written reply to the (DA) questions in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL).
Below is a list of festivals and specific amounts allocated to support them:
1. Back to the City through Major Events – R240 000
2. DSTV Delicious 2019 featuring Rashid Sadiq and Corryn Bailey – R2 500 000
3. Back to the City (RFQ) – R500 000
4. HomeComing Africa – R 2 000 000
5. Back to the City (Major Events) – R400 000
6. Bebe Winans Live in Gauteng – R2 000 000
7. Dru Hill All White GP Experience – R3 500 000
8. Gauteng Multicultural Experience (Johnny Gill Live in SA) – R3 000 000
9. DSTV Delicious 2024 featuring Busta Rhymes, Jill Scott, and Jason Derulo – R2 500 000
See full reply here.
The DA would support the expenditure on events if it is proven that they contribute towards the support of local artists and the development of upcoming artists, but not for sponsoring international acts as these could be seen as a vanity project.
Investing in empowering local homegrown talent is crucial.
The DA believes this money could have been better spent supporting our local musicians and athletes, many of whom struggle to make ends meet.
Additionally, these funds could have been allocated to grassroots initiatives and programmes aimed at discovering and nurturing local talent in Gauteng’s arts and sports sectors.
The DA is not opposed to our province hosting international artists; however, we believe that when government spends public money on artists, the priority must be to support local and upcoming artists who desperately require support to survive.
A DA Gauteng Provincial government would ensure a balance between welcoming international acts into our province and funding programmes that uplift and promote the skills and contributions of local performers and athletes.
The DA will continue to monitor the use of public funds by this department, ensuring that the needs of our residents are prioritised.