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Emerging artists are struggling to establish a viable career in the arts industry. This has been made worse by Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s government which has failed to meet any of its set targets for emerging artists.

These failures are a clear indication that Premier Lesufi’s dream to use sports and arts as a vehicle for economic empowerment and transformation is just a pipe dream.

According to the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SACR) third quarterly report for the 2022/2023 financial year, the following targets were not met:

• No arts and culture integrated programme was achieved for no-fee schools against a target of 90;
• No cultural and creative industries supported against a target of three;
• No emerging DJs were supported against the target of 200;
• No arts and cultural events were supported against a target of 10;
• No animation enterprise developers were supported against a target of 12;
• No new statues for heroes and heroines of the Heritage Liberation Struggle were installed, although a target of one was set;
• No community outreach programmes in museums were conducted, although a target of three was set;
• No hospital/clinic libraries were established, although a target of seven was set;
• No non-fee-paying schools were supported with library services, although a target of ten was set.

It is unacceptable that this department managed to overspend on its budget by R270 500 but was unable to meet any of the targets outlined above. Our creative industry took a huge setback during the Covid-19 pandemic and needs all the financial support it can get to start thriving again.

A DA government would ensure that the budget allocated for this department is spent properly and that all targets are met. We will ensure that the money allocated is only spent in a manner that benefits our sports, arts and culture industry. It is unacceptable that the goal posts for meeting targets by this department are constantly shifted.

Issued by Wildri Peach MPL - DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation