Progress on the Mzansi Golden Economy Programme

The Mzansi Golden Economy strategy started being implemented after a Summit with the Arts Sector in April 2012. The Arts Sector made inputs as to how they wanted the cultural industries to grow the sector, providing jobs and ensure contribution to the economy of South Africa.

Minister Nathi Mthethwa, Minister of Arts and Culture is pleased to provide the 2014 – 2015 Annual Target of the Mzansi Golden Economy (MGE) Programme.

The Cultural Observatory Institutional structure is being established. A research programme has been undertaken with a Mapping Study conducted and report with key indicators has been produced.

The first phase of the Art Bank is being implemented as per approved business plan.

The Sourcing Enterprise (Mzansi Golden Market) business plan has been approved and a functional sourcing enterprise is being implemented.

Twenty-two Cultural Events have been supported and are being implemented in various parts of the country during the course of this year.

Six Touring Ventures with Performing Arts Institutions are taking place over this year with support being provided to the Cultural Seasons with the Agreements that have been signed with UK, China and India.

The National Academy for the Creative Industries in South Africa will be launched during the course of this year.

During this year there will be eight Public Art Projects initiated and a further 240 artists will be placed in schools to teach art.

“Over the next five years, we shall be piloting several creative arts incubators across the country. These will be the hotbeds for cultural entrepreneurship and democratise access to tools of production. These will be the sites that we encourage as government for the creation of local content. This is part of the Mzansi Golden Economy which seeks to expand supply and work opportunities; grow audiences; transform the colonial heritage landscape; collect relevant data to inform policy direction; and develop artists to be economically self-reliant”, said Minister Nathi Mthethwa, Minister of Arts and Culture.