NAC Promises Accountability – But Will Artists Finally Thrive?

On 16 September 2025, the National Arts Council of South Africa (NAC) released a media statement confirming that agreements have been reached with sector federations and artists following pressing concerns from the creative community.

At the heart of the discussions were two key issues:

• The delayed announcement of the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP 6) Funding Call.
• The release of the Annual Project Funding Call results.

According to the NAC, the PESP 6 Funding Call officially opened on 16 September 2025 and will close on 9 October 2025, with results expected on 1 December 2025. The Annual Project Funding Call outcomes, they added, will be released no later than 17 October 2025.

The engagement was led by Romoe Ramuada, representing the South African Arts & Culture Youth Forum (SAACYF), together with the South African United Cultural & Creative Industries Federation (SAUCCIF) represented by Sibongile Mngoma, alongside other creative sector leaders. Their leadership and voices reminded many in the sector of the powerful “Abahlali Base NAC” sit-in during the COVID-19 era, when artists and cultural workers occupied the NAC offices demanding accountability and fair distribution of funds.

This agreement comes after sector representatives pushed for direct dialogue with the NAC, demanding transparency and a clear timeline. The move also follows Honourable Minister Gayton McKenzie’s directive for cultural entities to strengthen consultations and ensure their interventions respond to the real needs of artists.

The NAC highlighted that these measures align with its Disruption Model, a framework designed to re-engineer processes for efficiency and effectiveness. In their words, the entity is committed to “the highest standards of accountability, transparency, and responsive communication.”

But while these promises sound reassuring, the question remains: Will the NAC follow through on these commitments consistently, ensuring that artists not only access funding opportunities but also thrive within the sector?

Over the years, many artists have voiced frustrations over delayed payments, lack of clear communication, and processes that often felt opaque. This latest engagement marks a hopeful step, but the true test lies in delivery.

For the creative sector to flourish, transparency cannot be seasonal, it must be an everyday practice. The sector will be watching closely as deadlines approach, expecting nothing less than the fulfilment of the NAC’s pledge to fairness, efficiency, and accountability.

At Imbizo Magazine, we will continue to monitor these developments and ask the critical questions that matter most to artists and cultural practitioners on the ground.