The Arts and Culture Imbizo with Dr. Z Pallo Jordan

It is not often that one has the opportunity to address issues on the Visual Arts directly to the Minister of Arts and Culture, himself, but the Imbizo called by Dr. Pallo Jordan on 13 April at the Playhouse provided just such an opportunity. The Minister encouraged a direct and frank approach toward bringing the concerns of the artist in Kwazulu Natal before the government and he assured those present that their concerns would be taken seriously.

Representatives of the Arts addressed their questions to the Minister and his panel. A “Feedback Form” was given to those that did not get an opportunity to voice their concerns, giving them the opportunity to submit a written query to which they were assured of an answer.

After a request for more regular engagement with the government, the Minister explained that the Imbizo was only one such form of engagement and that the process is ongoing. Many committee meetings both at Municipal and National level are open meetings and the public are welcome to attend. He encouraged the representatives of Arts and Culture to familiarize themselves with the channels that are available to them. He also encouraged citizens to be involved in the making of policy and to address issues through these channels. Dr. Jordan drew attention to the Government website where one can find the government’s policy statements on these issues.

Questions from the floor clearly revealed unrealistic expectations of the government with regard to Arts and Culture – cries were heard for more theatres, grants for filmmakers and promotions for music and dance groups. Dr. Jordan set the record straight with directness and clarity: The government is not a promotion agency or an agency to create work for artists. Its role is rather to create an environment in which the artist can work. Artists must establish themselves by their own efforts and he encouraged them to “improve their bargaining power” by uniting and forming unions. Government has established many art centers throughout the province, but how they are used will depend upon communities.

On the matter of finance, Dr. Jordan was clear and practical: all money available for spending was public taxes. The demands on the government purse were from all sectors including basic needs such as clean water, hospitals, housing, roads etc. Obviously money had to be allocated according to priority.



Dr. Jordan admitted that many artists and craftspeople are being exploited and that government was seeking to address this issue. He disagreed that the visual arts was being sidelined and made reference to a number of exhibitions that the government has facilitated – including the recent Picasso exhibition. Apparently this is to be followed by an Egyptian exhibition, which is due to take place next year in Johannesburg and Cape Town. Why is it that these exhibitions are missing Durban? Come on, Durban, perhaps we should “muster some bargaining power” and ask the Minister.