The EFF rejects the budget based on the issues of capacity, rural focus, local artists and languages. On the issue of rural focus, it seems that the emphasis and concentration is more on the urban areas than on the rural communities. This scenario results in the lack or poor funding for arts and culture programmes in the rural communities and necessitates the large exodus or movement of people to the city in search of greener pastures, or a better life for all.
On the issue of local artists, nationally or provincially, even local cultural events do not utilise local talent, especially from the rural communities and, instead, the same people are utilised.
Lastly, the Constitution of South Africa advocates for all official languages. However, English and Afrikaans remain the acceptable official languages to date. The language issue in the public and private schools is as it was pre-1994. I thank you.