The South African creative industry is buzzing with anticipation as the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) prepares to unveil its Budget Vote Speech for the 2024/2025 financial year. Scheduled for Tuesday, 16 July 2024, this highly anticipated event will be led by Minister Mr. Gayton McKenzie and Deputy Minister Ms. Peace Mabe in Cape Town, Western Cape. Due to limited space in the chamber, the event will be live-streamed for media members, ensuring broad access and engagement. The creative sector is eager to hear Minister McKenzie’s vision for the future, especially how the budget allocations will support growth, innovation, and sustainability in the arts. Stakeholders are keen to see if the new budget will reflect the government’s commitment to nurturing this vibrant sector, which plays a crucial role in the nation’s cultural and economic landscape.
Key Highlights of the Session:
Visionary Roadmap: Minister McKenzie and Deputy Minister Mabe will outline their strategic priorities and budget allocations for the 2024/2025 financial year. This roadmap aims to create an enabling environment for the development, transformation, preservation, protection, and promotion of the arts, culture, and heritage sector.
- Sector Transformation and Development: Expect detailed initiatives aimed at driving transformation and inclusivity, ensuring that the sector remains dynamic and representative of South Africa’s diverse cultural heritage.
- Heritage Preservation and Protection: Emphasis will be placed on preserving and protecting the rich cultural heritage of South Africa, highlighting efforts to maintain and celebrate the nation’s history and traditions.
- Promotion and Support for the Arts: The session will reveal strategies to promote the arts and culture sector, including financial support and resource allocation designed to empower artists, cultural practitioners, and organizations.
- Social Cohesion and Nation-Building: The budget vote will underscore efforts to use sport, arts, and culture as tools for fostering unity, social cohesion, and national pride, inspiring a winning nation.
Live Streaming and Media Briefing:
Given the limited seating available in the chamber, media members are encouraged to follow the presentations via live-streaming services provided by the GCIS Imbizo Centre in Parliament from 10:00 to 12:00.
Immediately following the Budget Vote Presentation, Minister McKenzie and Deputy Minister Mabe will lead a post-budget media briefing session at the GCIS Imbizo Centre at 12:00. This briefing will provide a deeper dive into the key highlights and projects planned for the upcoming financial year. It will also offer media members an opportunity to engage with the 7th Administration Cabinet ministers on longer-term plans beyond this year’s budget.
This Budget Vote Speech represents a pivotal moment for the Sport, Arts, Culture, and Heritage sector, outlining the vision and strategies that will shape the future of this vital area of South African society. The DSAC invites all interested media members to participate in the live-stream and post-budget briefing to gain comprehensive insights into the department’s plans and priorities.
The excitement is palpable as the creative industry looks forward to the new minister’s vision and the opportunities it will bring for growth, innovation, and cultural enrichment across the nation.