Chairperson, hon Minister, hon members, and distinguished guests, the ANC's point of departure in the approach to the Budget Vote debate on Arts and Culture must start with our policies.
At the 52nd national conference of the ANC in Polokwane in December 2007, we reaffirmed the belief that arts and culture is a cornerstone of any national democratic society, and a fundamental pillar in the transformation of society. The ANC recognises that social transformation cannot be separated from the revolutionary role and nature that culture plays in the transformation of any society.
The Reconstruction and Development Programme, RDP, of 1995, adopted by the ANC as policy, reflected upon arts and culture in that they permeate all spheres of society and are an integral part of social and economic life, business and industries based on the arts. In promoting cultural development and heritage, the RDP sought to inform and promote the rich and diverse expression of South African culture as a unifying national culture representing the aspirations of all South Africa's people. It also sought to ensure that the resources and facilities for both the production and the appreciation of arts and culture are made available to all. It sought also to conserve, promote and revitalise all national cultural heritage so that it is accessible to all communities.
The Arts and Culture budget presents a unique opportunity to all South Africans to celebrate their rich cultural heritage. The ANC is proud and privileged to lead a country that has a rich, diverse, and tangible cultural heritage, such as cultural expressions, oral traditions, craftsmanship, social practices, rituals and festivals. For the ANC, no culture is inferior or superior to the other. [Applause.]
Chairperson, the current budget must as a matter of principle contribute to the development of our culture and heritage. It is therefore of concern that the heritage programme reflects a decline. The overall budget has declined slightly for 2010-11.
However, since the 2006-07 financial year, the department's budget increased from R1,3 billion to R2,6 billion in the 2009-10 financial year. Main contributors to an increased budget allocation were the Freedom Park project and projects related to the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
Growth on expenditure trends demonstrates this progressive commitment. With focused programmes and appropriate use of this budget, we can do more and better in the interests of our people.
Chairperson, heritage measures seek to promote South African national history with a focus on cultural development. Through this budget allocation, Arts and Culture will continue to embrace customs, tradition, beliefs, religion, language, crafts and other art forms like music, dance, theatre and written and oral literature.
The 2007 Strategy and Tactics of the ANC articulates that government needs to consolidate partnerships across society to strengthen cultural development and ensure that South Africa achieves the values of a caring society informed by the traits of human compassion.
Last year, South Africa celebrated the rich heritage found in its crafts. South Africa's craft industry produces a wide range of craft products across different styles and genres, and it holds high hopes for rural development.
The traditional and cultural expressions, such as the design and production of crafts that are handed down from one generation to another, either orally or by imitation, are constantly evolving, developing or being recreated within the community.
These expressions reflect communities' cultural and social identity and are created for commercial, religious and cultural purposes. Manifestations of traditional, cultural expressions include basket-weaving, crafts, instrumental music, singing and pottery.
South Africa is home to a unique and diverse crafts industry. Crafters have over the years produced a vibrant crafts legacy by using natural resources and recycled products, such as plastic bags, paper, cardboard boxes and wire, found in their communities.
Although the crafts industry has gradually moved away from being just a mere expression of individual skills to entrepreneurship, practitioners still lack protection from exploitation. The industry does not provide for equitable benefits of profits or participation in the crafts economy or market, particularly from the rural development perspective. Together we must change that.
In recognition of the value created by these crafts, the ANC is encouraged to see that the Department of Arts and Culture is promoting national heritage in line with its commitment to a more focused concentration on rural women and young people. This budget gives us an opportunity to highlight the socioeconomic value of the crafts industry and encourages further development and investment in it.
Part of the heritage of living among diverse groups of people, with equally diverse expressions, is the absolute responsibility to respect those who do not necessarily share one's views, culture or beliefs. This finds expression in engendering freedom of the human spirit to search for better ways of doing things, and to express oneself freely through the creative endeavours of humanity.
This finds compatibility with the Constitution's Bill of Rights which emphasises individual freedom, but with individual responsibility. It also emphasises collective freedom and collective responsibility. Our Constitution places immense value on our cultural heritage. It gives South Africans an opportunity to heal the divisions of the past through arts and culture and provides an opportunity to establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights.
The ANC is committed to an overarching South African identity, recognising the diversity and rich heritage of the country's people in both rural and urban areas.
Cultural development, whilst rooted within a social system, is developed through the process of socialisation. The rise of globalisation during the colonisation of many parts of the world has had an influence on our cultures and there has been an assimilation of cultural activity, yet in an intricately diverse manner.
In conclusion, I have no doubt that our country has a rich heritage and culture that should be preserved and developed for a better life for all. It is through this budget that we can do that. My culture and your culture constitutes one nation. [Time expired.]