By: Zethu Gweva
The Buffalo City Performing Arts Council Spokesperson Luzuko Khohli has complaints about the alleged unfair distribution of funding to BCM artists by the Eastern Cape Provincial Arts & Culture Council ( ECPCC).
According to Khohli, artists seek answers on a number of issues, mainly funding results that have not been communicated since May 2019 and the criteria of their funding.
“We want to understand why other artists are funded without applying while others have to wait for the processes,” he said.
The Department of Sports, Recreation, Arts & Culture Spokesperson Andile Nduna said the Department has learnt with seriousness the allegations leveled against their entity – ECPACC.
“We want to categorically state that the Department and by extension ECPACC are committed wholeheartedly to the development of arts and culture in the province of the Eastern Cape,” said Nduna.
Khohli expressed his concerns on the decline in the number of approved applications for funding compared to other years and added that artists who applied in 2019 only received funding in January in 2020.
“After we went on social media to call and organize a meeting with the artists, we received calls from ECPACC saying they have received funding. Now we want to know what was delaying them in releasing the results throughout 2019,” said Khohli.
According to Nduna, although they have not received any formal complaints and grievances from the Buffalo City Performing Arts Council. They are more than willing to openly engage with all the artists of the Province in order to advance the creative industries in the Eastern Cape.
Furthermore, the awarding of all deserving artists, groups, crafters, arts and culture practitioners of any funding has always been a transparent process. Applications are advertised on respective media platforms and those which are awarded get notified publicly.
“Since 2018, ECPACC has introduced a strategic shift, which saw it beaming with success in championing the recognition of the role of the creative industries in stimulating economic growth in the province. Consequently, in one year, the entity has drawn close to R20 million in support of the creative industries, particularly, focusing on the film industry, craft, and design sector,” said Nduna.