Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie’s funding cuts one year ago leave South Africa's arts festivals fighting for survival as they confront ongoing financial difficulties.
One year after Sports, Arts and Culture minister Gayton McKenzie slashed funding for key arts festivals, the sector remains in turmoil.
With the scars of the Covid-19 lockdown still fresh, industry professionals warn that these cuts have intensified their struggles, pushing many to the brink of financial ruin.
Since time immemorial, festivals entertained audiences and provided a stage for Mzansi's thespians, alongside seasonal work for thousands of people — an entire ecosystem that has now been pulled out from under them.
This as productions increasingly trim their casts to save money.
