According to MEC Limakatso Mahasa, who tabled the Arts, Culture and Recreation provincial budget on Tuesday, the industry continues to experience dire financial constraints. She told Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs) that more needs to be done to support creatives in the province and keep revenue-generating events alive. She confirmed popular events such as the annual Macufe festival will have to continue although they will need to be carried out differently, exploring virtual means.

"The Department will explore other alternative revenue generating avenues. We will pilot a project similar to Outdoor Open-Air Cinema but featuring music and comedy. Ladies and gentlemen, to keep the spirit of Macufe alive, we are going to host an Outdoor Open-Air Musical and Cultural Festival in Mangaung in October 2021," she highlighted.

She announced that athletes and artists in the province have been provided with relief to the tune of over R6 million since the pandemic hit the country last year.

Her statement on the need to assist the creatives financially comes amidst growing calls for Arts and Culture Minister, Nathi Mthethwa, to resign after a R300 million stimulus package earmarked to help athletes in 2020 remains unaccounted for.

Tabling her department's R638 million budget for the 2021/22 financial year, Mahasa said the department will try to continue supporting artists while the bulk of the budget will go towards four key programmes which are Administration and Financial Management, a programme which include filling vacant positions in the department, the Cultural Affairs programme which includes events such as Macufe and others, Library and Archive Services, as well as Sport and Recreation.

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