House Chairperson,
The ACDP welcomes the recommendations contained in the budget vote on Sports, Arts and Culture that has been allocated the total expenditure estimate of R6,3 billion, with R507.4 million going to administration, R162 million going to recreation development and sports promotion, and over R5 million going to transfers and subsidies, reflecting heavy reliance on funding agencies, councils and provincial programmes.
Many South Africans would have been happier if there was an allocation to help restore and build more amenities and sports facilities, particularly in townships, so that children are kept busy with sports after school and so that drugs become less attractive to children because they are busy with sports after-hours.
The ACDP would also like to emphasise the importance of restoring school sports so that children will grow up being more disciplined and fit— and can look forward to their professional days to come.
Sport and culture are not luxuries; they are a part of building a nation. Yet, the question remains whether or not the department is doing its job well and the answer is not certain.
A broad mobilisation of artists and creatives marched a year ago to highlight failures in funding pipelines, corruption in arts councils, and the exclusion of grassroots practitioners from departmental support. They said the department was no longer fit for purpose. Programmes were stalled. Funding pipelines had collapsed. Institutions were being run by individuals with no demonstrable knowledge, credibility, or commitment to the creative industries.
The protest coincided with growing public anger over irregular expenditure in cultural bodies and the perception that Minister McKenzie’s leadership was worsening instability. The May 2025 protest gave voice to frustrations that later became amplified in social media campaigns, petitions, and debates in this house.
The ACDP welcomes investment in community gyms and play parks; R24 million rand for 30 facilities. But we also know many sports clubs are struggling with poor facilities and late payments. The Minister himself admitted federations have been “running their sports out of the boots of their cars”. That is not acceptable.
On arts and culture, the Department speaks of heritage and libraries, with nearly R2.8 billion allocated to heritage promotion and preservation, yet those creating that heritage can’t get funding and corruption scandals in arts councils keep appearing in the media.
A forensic investigation examining R51.8 million transferred to the Federation of South African Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIFSA) between 2014 and 2024 has exposed serious financial mismanagement involving more than R51 million in public funds transferred to the organisation over nearly a decade.
We welcome the statement by the Minister that funds are too scarce to allow R51 million transfers to escape proper scrutiny, and that where officials are found to have failed in their duties after due process, they will face consequences.
The ACDP calls for transparent funding pipelines, stronger oversight, and leadership that unites rather than divides.
I thank you.
