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Portfolio Committee On Sports, Arts, And Culture Holds Department Accountable

Dear Editor

The Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture (DSAC) faced a critical moment on Friday when it was abruptly dismissed from the meeting of its Portfolio Committee after presenting its first-quarter report for the 2024/2025 financial year.

Despite repeatedly underspending on several budget items, the Department claimed to have overachieved on most of its performance indicators for the previous financial year. However, these claims stand in stark contrast to ongoing issues plaguing the entities under its supervision and the projects it manages.

Financial mismanagement continues to afflict organisations such as Boxing South Africa, while poor audit outcomes, as seen with the Nelson Mandela Bay Theatre, further tarnish the Department’s credibility. Additionally, the long-overdue Sarah Baartman Centre for Remembrance in the Eastern Cape remains incomplete, raising concerns about the Department’s ability to deliver on its promises.

These issues call into question not only the integrity but also the financial sustainability of the Department.

Furthermore, the DSAC has decided to host 17 events to commemorate 30 years of democracy, despite originally budgeting for only one. Notably, all but one of these events took place between 25 April and 26 May, raising suspicions that they may have been used for electioneering purposes ahead of the 2024 National and Provincial Elections. How the Department intends to finance these additional activities remains unclear.

In an effort to hold the Department accountable and ensure transparency, the Democratic Alliance (DA) plans to formally request that the Committee Chairperson conduct an oversight visit to the Sarah Baartman Centre for Remembrance. This visit aims to assess the Department’s true progress and performance.

Regards

Liam Jacobs MP
DA Deputy Spokesperson on Sports, Arts and Culture

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