Department on its state of readiness for 2010 FIFA World Cup

Meeting report

Briefing by Department of Arts and Culture (DAC)
Mr Tembinkosi Wakashe, Director-General, DAC, said that the Department had not signed any government

guarantees but it was widely understood that it was the key department towards the realisation of both tangible and intangible government priorities.

 

Through its activities, the Department hoped to achieve:

•           Social cohesion,

•           Nation-building,

•           Promotion of a national identity and

             Social advancement

•           Setting up conditions for

             wealth creation

•           Elimination of: racism, xenophobia

       and intolerance.

 

He then briefly touched on the programmes that were undertaken to popularise 2010 such as the My Flag for 2010 and My 2010 School Adventure. The 2010 legacy was mainly comprised of infrastructure projects such as public viewing areas. Funds had been allocated for the upgrading of the Windybrow Theatre and Artscape in Cape Town.

The Department would host Africa Day celebrations, where there would be performances from 5 African countries and South Africa. A delegation from the African Union would also grace the festivities. The 2010 Local Organising Committee had opened a tender for inviting companies to bid for the opening ceremony. The same company that was responsible for the Confederations Cup would also organise the two ceremonies. R 120 million had been set aside by the Department, LOC and the City of Johannesburg jointly to organise the opening and closing ceremonies.

Many African countries had shown interest in participating in the opening ceremony, but it was not possible to involve all of them. Mr Wakashe expressed concern about allegations of mismanagement of funds worth R150 million. Many people did not realise that preparations had already been taking place since 2007. The preparations included a trip to Germany with the head of State with a huge delegation large number of artists. Some of the money was used for the branding the OR Tambo Airport and the Cape Town Jazz Festival.

Discussion
The Chairperson enquired about economic spin-offs for the rural areas and small towns that were not host cities. He asked whether there were any plans for the arrival of foreign national teams at the airports, and asked about the challenges facing the Department around their 2010 readiness.

Mr Wakashe replied that the challenges were mostly around the exclusive marketing rights owned by the sponsors. Criminals were duping people and cashing in on 2010 by selling fake goods. He was not aware of any plans to welcome the teams but the Airports were branded with the 2010 World Cup information and the heritage sites. The public was encouraged to wear soccer jerseys even at work to show support for the national team.

Ms M Nxumalo (ANC) complained that the Department had not involved the Committee with their 2010 preparations. She cited the Sport Portfolio Committee involvement as a prime example of Committee involvement.

Mr Wakashe acknowledged that his Department had not been working closely with the Committee. He suggested that the Committee could invite the host city managers for briefings on their state of readiness and even visit some of these areas.

Mr P Nthsiqela (COPE) was concerned about the lack of participation of the public and the arts Non Governmental Organisations in the provinces.  

Mr Wakashe replied that the LOC was responsible for co-ordinating the forum that included provinces around infrastructure projects. The Department had been working with the Provincial art bodies to perform at the public viewing areas.

Ms E Nyalungu (ANC) enquired about the work done around community art centres in rural areas.

Mr Wakashe replied that the building and upgrading of community art centres was continuing countrywide.

The Chairperson felt that South African artists were not properly utilised during the celebrations of historic days. He was perturbed by the continuous use of the same artists from the same communities while rejecting others.

Mr Wakashe replied that the Department was busy reviewing the significance of the national holidays and how they were commemorated. Some South Africans regarded important days like June 16 as day to have a braai and get drunk, while others went on picnics. 43 submissions were selected out of 150 by the art fraternity to take part in the opening and closing ceremonies.

The Chairperson said that the Committee would plan oversight trips to the Community Art Centres and public viewing areas. He urged the Department to send documents beforehand so that Members could study them in advance and thanked the delegation for the presentation.

The meeting was adjourned.