Western Cape Cultural Policy Summit Concluded

MEC Jacobs adresssing delegates at Cultural Summit in Ritz Hotel

The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport should address the critical shortage of arts and culture centres in the rural areas and begin to improve infrastructural development in those areas to be able to effectively promote arts and culture in a manner that is inclusive.

These were the sentiments expressed by delegates at the Cultural Policy Review Summit held at Ritz Hotel in Sea Point on Saturday, 5 November 2005. It was alleged that the Department was guilty of focusing only on the Metro region in promoting arts and culture. The summit was convened by the Department to give all stakeholders a last chance to input into the Draft Arts, Culture and Heritage Policy in an attempt to transform the cultural landscape of the Western Cape and re-align the policy with that of central government. Delegates felt that the transformed cultural policy should address the rights and working conditions of performing artists and proactively strive to eradicate exploitation and abolish unethical behaviour in the arts, culture and heritage sectors.

With reference to the Language Policy of the Western Cape, which was officially launched in February 2005 giving recognition and equal status to English, Afrikaans and IsiXhosa, delegates said the policy may not be relevant today. They said that the Language Committee must be sensitive to the changing dynamics caused by migration to the Western Cape and take into account the increase of other languages like Sotho, Nama and Khoisan. The Summit dealt with the complex issue of traditional leaders and the lack of legislative framework within the province and resolved to refer the issue to Contralesa for further discussions and clarity.

There was agreement that the question of the arms length relationship with the public entities such Cultural Commission, Heritage Western Cape and Language Committee including their roles should be re-defined. Delegates also flagged for scrutiny the potential overlap and clash between Pansalb and the Western Cape Language Committee.

Addressing delegates at the summit, MEC Whitey Jacobs said, "We must come out of this session with policy changes that will ensure that all our people, regardless of their different cultures, language, orientation, skills and religion benefit equitably from the resources of the government. Some of us bear witness to how performing artists played a pivotal role in toppling the apartheid regime. At the height of the political instability in the country, artistic expression was an unbelievably powerful tool that rallied and united the oppressed masses against a common enemy - racism and oppression. I hold a view that arts and culture can play a significant role in social cohesion, national reconciliation, unity and nation building in the same way it did, during the dark days of apartheid."

All policy changes suggested have been recorded and stakeholders and interested parties are asked to submit further written proposals to Ms Annerie Pruis at 021 483 9730 or email apruis@pgwc.gov.za before 10 November 2005.

Ends All

Issued By:

Mandla Yeki
Spokesperson for Ministry
Cultural Affairs, Sport and Recreation
Tel: 021 483 9804
Fax: 021 483 9801
Mobile: 082 553 3477
Protea Assurance Building, Green Market Square, Cape Town

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