Speaker, hon Minister, the ACDP notes that the department's policies strongly focus on promoting the country's official languages and enhancing linguistic diversity. The National Language Service programme, however, shows a decrease of 6,08% in real terms. This will clearly add to the difficulties of achieving the constitutional mandate and imperative of promoting a multilingual society, and this is of concern.
Place name changes is another priority and national hearings will determine the tempo at which geographical name changes take place. Funding must be available in order for this emotive matter to be handled both transparently and sensitively.
The ACDP agrees that the fight against poverty must remain central in all we do, and Arts and Culture will be expected to pick up this challenge with even greater determination. The present lack of proper facilities in disadvantaged schools for the study of the performing and creative arts is preventing scores of talented youngsters from pursuing further education in these areas, because they have not acquired the necessary proficiency to enter higher education. This is a tragedy for us as a nation.
Talking about further education, hon Minister, has the department ensured that funds will be made available by FET colleges for developing skills in the arts and culture sector, and will these funds be accessible, especially in less advantaged communities?
Enormous difficulties are also presently being experienced by performers and artists in general in getting support for what they do. Theatres like the Baxter and companies like the Cape Town City Ballet struggle to make ends meet, and their efforts to contribute to the artistic life of Cape Town are undermined. No doubt this problem is replicated in theatres and other artistic centres across the country. Hon Minister, how is government responding to this situation?
Human resource development forms a vital part of the development of all genres of artistic and cultural expression, together with issues of professional marketing skills and access to markets. These matters often do not receive the attention they deserve. The ACDP hopes that the reduced budget in heritage promotion, which focuses on programmes for vulnerable families, as well as training art counsellors in art therapy, will not impact negatively, particularly on artists with disabilities and the early childhood development and children at risk programmes.
We welcome the envisaged reduction of the regulatory burden on small businesses with particular reference to South Africa's cultural industries. Strengthening South Africa's creative and export potential, small business development and entrepreneurship must be a top priority. Fighting poverty and unemployment will necessitate a strong focus on the development of cultural industries that benefit rural communities, youth and vulnerable groups. The ACDP would like to see greater efforts in facilitating the transfer of skills of older people to young people.
Lastly, hon Minister, how will work on the National Asset Register proceed with the seemingly zero funding available for that? The ACDP will, however, support the budget.