Dear Minister Mthetwa,

I trust this finds you well.

I am writer, director and academic based at the University of the Witwatersrand. I recently performed at the South African Film Summit, which I regrettably couldn't attend in full as I had to give a lecture. It is exciting to see the value of the creative currency being lauded by such a high office. The summit brought home the idea that art has the power to capture imaginations and catalyse innovation.

South Africa has a populace rich with cultural knowledge and artistic skills. Creativity is in our DNA, we learn song from our mothers' backs. We learn music, dance, theatre and story telling through our daily practices. Through its different programmes, the Department of Arts and culture is pre - empting the creative turn in the world economy and tapping into this inherent value. I have had the honour of engaging in the work of celebrating our rich cultural heritage in my work as a writer, director and teacher for the past 30 years.

As you have heard at various platforms, this work is often underpaid or maladministration leads to artists and art educators earning a pittance. This is hampering the potential to showcase South Africa's immense talent and address material deprivation. I am currently facing such a situation which has lead to cast members being unable to register for their degrees in Performing Arts or find accommodation. Our 2019 production plan has also been halted by this challenge with funding.

This email serves as a request for your counsel and intervention on an application for Emergency Funding to the National Arts Council made in 2018. The application by myself, Kgafela oa Magogodi, is to fund a theatre production which was recently staged at Soweto Theatre. This is my first application to the National Arts Council / Department of Arts and Culture.

Regrettably, our funding situation has become inflamed. I write to seek your counsel as our situation is pressing. The cast members and production crew have not been paid and I have had to cover various expenses from my own pocket. The costs are mounting and cast and production team are looking to me for answers as they are unable to pay rent of register at University.

The funding of the NAC will greatly contribute towards the training and development of young arts practitioners. These are the agents of the 'Fourth Industrial Revolution' but they cannot register to complete degrees which will further South Africa's creative economies.The contribution of the NAC will further our students and their families. The NAC will also be acknowledged in digital, print and visual media as the production is preparing for its 2019 run.

The gracious staff of the NAC encouraged me to apply for Emergency funding in October after I visited the NAC to explain the circumstances which had befallen the production. Chilahaebolae was commissioned and signed a contract with Soweto Theatre in mid - 2018. When I enquired telephonically about the team’s contracts and the remuneration to cover the production costs, Soweto Theatre informed me that they will only pay R 30 000 for the production. This was completely unexpected. It is a regression from previous agreements which does not cover production costs at all. The under - funding of the project was not anticipated. This situation was exacerbated by the delayed confirmation of the total contractual obligation by Soweto Theatre.

The application to the NAC was received by Ms. Palesa Mopeli who has indicated that she has not yet received any updates on the status of the application and that the issue of emergency funding has been presented to the CEO for guidance and intervention. Followign this, she indicated that a panel was meeting to evaluate applications.

Since submission of the application, I have not received an outcome and the production team is encumbered by financial costs. The production mirrors the vision of the National Arts Council as it promotes and values multi – disciplinary arts and has had a high impact in the arts and academia.

I contacted Mr. Charles Mabaso of the National Arts Council on the advice of the then interim CEO of the NAC and remain optimistic of a positive outcome. However, I am gravely concerned about the prolonged silence and withholding of communication. For nearly two months, there was no written response on the application for Emergency Funding. After numerous calls and emails they requested proof of expenditure. Another month of silence is about to pass since that request was fulfilled.

I have been informed telephonically that Emergency Funds are generally considered for overseas travel. Whilst it is understandable for some funding to be allocated for international travel, there is need for the NAC to prioritize local endeavours and the livelihoods of South African artists. Prioritizing international endeavours to the disadvantage of local artists is contrary to the mandate of the National Arts Council. The priority should be on fostering the “expression of a national identity and consciousness by means of the arts; upholding and promoting the right of any person to freedom in the practice of the arts and to address historical imbalances in the provision of infrastructure for the promotion of the arts.”

My contribution to South Africa’s literary, dramatic and musical arts spans three decades. It is enduring, and it stems from a place of love for this country and its artistic practices. I am actively engaged in training artists and hewing scholarship which celebrates South African art. It is disheartening to be treated with what appears to be disregard and contempt when I am a stakeholder of the Department of Arts and Culture.

This is my first application to the National Arts Council and my experience thus far has raised concerns which I am willing to Mr Mabaso meet to discuss. I would greatly appreciate any response from the Department of Arts and Culture as Mr. Mabaso has not taken heed of my correspondence to date.

I humbly request your intervention and look forward to your positive response and intervention on this matter.

Please feel free to contact me on 011 717 4658 if you have any queries. I have sent my cellphone number to your office. You can visit www.chilahaebolae.wordpress.com to get to know more about the production.

Okuhle

Kgafela oa Magogodi