National funding blow puts Cape Town festivals in jeopardy

CapeTalk's Clarence Ford is joined by Jay Douwes, chief Executive Officer at Cape Town Carnival.

Listen below

ALSO READ: Critics slam Gayton McKenzie's ministerial performance: 'A mampara in charge again'

Cape Town’s cherished cultural festivals, from the Cape Town Carnival to the Jazz Festival, are facing an uncertain future.

National funding once promised by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has not materialised, with Minister Gayton McKenzie being criticised for empty promises and for 'punishing' the Western Cape.

Western Cape Member of the Executive Council for cultural affairs and sport Ricardo MacKenzie described the decision to withdraw funding as 'unconscionable'.

And while she wouldn't be drawn on whether MacKenzie is a 'good minister' or not, Cape Town Carnival's Jay Douwes admits she thinks he has demonstrated a tendency to focus more on sport.

"And I think we've seen this in this portfolio over the last 15 years."

Jay Douwes, Chief Executive Officer - Cape Town Carnival

Douwes suggests this may, in part, be due to a lack of understanding about the enormous benefits that the arts offer.

"I don't think people have any idea how much arts and creativity does support the individual person and builds self worth".

Jay Douwes, Chief Executive Officer - Cape Town Carnival

Douwes states that the Carnival was informed in March that it would no longer receive support through the flagship programme.

"Obviously you need that support to keep on having the impact that you have and it's gone."

Jay Douwes, Chief Executive Officer - Cape Town Carnival

She says they were then advised to apply for the department's Mzansi Golden Economy grant.

"We did that, and none of the flagships got funding."

Jay Douwes, Chief Executive Officer - Cape Town Carnival

"We were told that there was a directive from the minister to say anyone that had had funding should no longer get funding."

Jay Douwes, Chief Executive Officer - Cape Town Carnival

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