Artists in the theatre industry were left high and dry following the National Arts Council’s (NAC) decision to approve only a small fraction of applications for the National Arts Festival Fringe Programme fund. Out of 210 submissions, only 27 projects received funding.
Of the selected projects, only one, Naelstring/!Naeb from the Northern Cape secured the highest amount of R200,000.
Meanwhile, The Circle Song: A Story of Remembrance from KwaZulu-Natal, received the smallest allocation at R38,000. The remaining beneficiaries will receive between R40,000 and R100,000 each. In total, R2-million has been allocated for all 27 projects.
Widespread backlash
The NAC’s announcement has triggered widespread backlash from the artistic community, with many demanding transparency regarding the selection process. Artists are calling on the NAC to disclose how many applications were received and rejected. And to explain the criteria used to determine the recipients.
NAC CEO Julie Diphofa told Sunday World that most applications were declined during the compliance phase.
“The total budget for this call was R2-million, and it has been fully allocated. We received requests totalling R243,989,758.40. Of the 210 applications submitted, 95 were rejected at compliance. And 79 were turned down during the panel review. Only 12 of the 27 approved projects are first-time recipients,” she explained.
Diphofa added that funding was based on the project budgets and activity plans as submitted. She also stressed that the NAC is not the sole funding body available to artists.
Those unhappy with the outcome, she said, may appeal to the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture in accordance with Section 12(1) of the NAC Act.
Urged to appeal
“The appeal must be lodged in writing within 30 days of being notified of the decision. It must detail the appellant’s name, address, and reasons for the grievance,” she said.
One of the rejected applicants, Mxolisi Masilela, Founder and Artistic Director of The TX Theatre, expressed deep disappointment.
“It’s demoralising that the NAC failed to support an initiative that clearly aligns with national priorities. These are job creation, youth development, and cultural enrichment,” said Masilela.
“We had high hopes that the NAC would help sustain independent theatre. But six out of our seven proposals were rejected, regardless of their artistic and social value. This decision has left dozens of artists in a vulnerable position. And it endangers the future of our work.”
Lack of transparency
Masilela criticised the NAC’s standard response. He accused the institution of hiding behind compliance issues instead of being transparent.
“They keep saying we didn’t comply, yet when we ask for specifics, they don’t respond. They should just be honest and admit they don’t have enough funding. R2-million for the entire call is a joke. It shows how disconnected they are from the realities of our work,” he said.
