Potential National Arts Council strike must not delay grant payments to creatives

The Democratic Alliance (DA) warns that any potential strike action at the National Arts Council (NAC) must not result in disruptions to the payment of Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP 6) grants, which are critical to the survival of South Africa's creative sector.

Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie has been aware of instability at the NAC for more than a year, yet has failed to facilitate a resolution or put contingency measures in place to protect grant beneficiaries.

The DA has received credible information that unresolved labour disputes at the NAC, including alleged unpaid staff bonuses totalling approximately R900,000 over several years, may result in industrial action that could halt PESP 6 payments. If this occurs, the consequences will be devastating for artists, cultural workers and small creative enterprises who are already under extreme financial strain.

This looming funding crisis is emblematic of a broader pattern of dysfunction within the Department.

While the DA does not dispute the legitimacy of staff frustration at the NAC, particularly in light of prolonged delays in resolving internal governance and remuneration issues, it is entirely unacceptable that failures in leadership and oversight are once again threatening to spill over onto the very people the Council exists to support.

These disputes should never have been allowed to fester for years, nor should they be used, intentionally or otherwise, to justify a failure to fulfil the NAC's statutory mandate.

The responsibility for preventing this crisis rests squarely with the Minister. It is Minister Mackenzie's duty to prevent the strike, and the DA calls on him to do so.

Despite repeated public pronouncements and media promises about revitalising the creative sector, Minister McKenzie has failed to align funding streams, ensure accountability across entities or address persistent allegations of delayed payments, nepotism and opaque decision-making.

Instead, councils and boards have been packed with politically connected individuals, while governance failures and non-transparent allocation of funds continue unchecked.

The DA calls on the Minister, the Department and the NAC to act immediately and responsibly to safeguard PESP 6 payments and protect creative livelihoods.