Thami akaMbongo Manzana: A golden opportunity or a systemic betrayal?

The Mzansi Golden Economy (MGE) was envisioned as a beacon of hope- a catalyst for transformation in the South African creative industry. It promised accessibility, empowerment, and economic upliftment for artists, creatives, and cultural practitioners. But today, it stands as a symbol of frustration, exclusion, and broken promises. The question we must ask: is the Department of Sport, Arts & Culture (DSAC) upholding its constitutional mandate, or has it become an enabler of systemic betrayal against the very industry it was meant to support?

A Vision Lost in Bureaucracy?

The DSAC’s vision is clear: to foster an active, creative, winning, and socially cohesive nation. Yet, the administration of the MGE fund tells a different story. How does a department that claims to promote inclusivity justify the inaccessibility of its own funding process? Why are applicants still required to submit physical documents in 2024, in a digital age where online submissions should be the norm? Why are Non-Profit Companies (NPCs) unfairly excluded through an arbitrary requirement for a Social Development certificate- something not mandated by the Companies Act?

The Violations: Is DSAC Breaking the Law?

The inconsistencies in the MGE fund do not just undermine DSAC’s credibility; they may very well be unconstitutional. Consider the following:

Violation of the Right to Freedom of Expression (Section 16 of the Constitution): How can artists exercise their constitutional right to create when funding is systematically denied or delayed?

Violation of the Right to Participate in Cultural Life (Section 30): The exclusion of so many applicants effectively denies them the ability to contribute to South Africa’s cultural economy.

Violation of the Right to Access Information (Section 32): Why is DSAC refusing to publish the full list of successful applicants? What are they hiding?

Violation of Public Administration Principles (Section 195): Government departments are legally required to be transparent, fair, and accountable. By keeping funding outcomes secret, issuing contradictory statements, and unilaterally cancelling applications without explanation, DSAC is failing in its duty.

Breach of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA): Unfair decision-making processes, arbitrary cancellations, and lack of proper recourse for unsuccessful applicants violate the basic principles of just administration.

Who Benefits from the Chaos?

In a time when the creative sector is struggling, when artists are barely making ends meet, we must ask: who truly benefits from this confusion and lack of transparency? Why does it seem as though a select few always manage to secure funding, while the majority are left in the dark? Could it be that the MGE has been hijacked by gatekeepers who profit from the very dysfunction that artists suffer under?

An Urgent Call to Minister Gayton McKenzie Minister Gayton McKenzie has built his reputation on being a straight talker- a disruptor of corrupt and inefficient systems. Now, we ask him to turn his attention to DSAC and the MGE fund. Minister, will you stand with the artists who have been sidelined, silenced, and systemically excluded? Will you demand the release of the full MGE funding outcomes? Will you intervene to ensure that the MGE becomes a truly accessible and transformative tool, rather than an elitist slush fund?

Seeking Legal Advice: Can the Creative Sector Take Action?

The inconsistencies and possible legal violations surrounding MGE funding raise an important question: should the South African creative sector explore legal action against DSAC? Should a class-action lawsuit be filed to demand transparency, fairness, and accountability? Is it time to approach the Public Protector or the Human Rights Commission? If DSAC will not listen to the voices of artists, perhaps it will listen to the courts.

Our Demands: A Call for Action

The creative sector refuses to be silenced. We demand:

The immediate release of all MGE funding results- complete transparency on successful and unsuccessful applicants.

The removal of unnecessary NPC restrictions that serve only to disqualify legitimate applicants.

The introduction of online submissions to ensure fair and equal access.

An increase in drop-off points for physical submissions, making funding accessible to creatives in rural and township communities.

A formal engagement with DSAC and Minister McKenzie, where stakeholders can directly voice their concerns and propose solutions.

A Final Thought: Will the MGE Fulfil Its Promise or Fade into Corruption?

The MGE was meant to be a game-changer for the South African creative economy. Instead, it has become a battleground for fairness, justice, and the fundamental rights of artists. The creative sector will not back down. If DSAC refuses to uphold its responsibilities, the fight for justice will move to new levels- including legal challenges, mass mobilization, and direct appeals to national leadership.

Minister McKenzie, the ball is in your court. Will you be the leader who restores faith in the system, or will you allow the MGE to remain a broken promise?

The time for answers is now.

Thami akaMbongo Manzana
akambongo@gmail.com
AkaMbongo Foundation Pty Ltd
http://www.akambongo.co.za

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Thami akaMbongo Manzana writes on his personal capacity.