The Minister and Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture have made powerful and emotive budgetary addresses to Parliament following recent violence in South Africa.

Minister of Arts and Culture, Z. Pallo Jordan, said ‘I rise to move the budget for the Department of Arts and Culture at a time of deep humiliation. South Africa and her people have been profoundly shamed before the world and the African continent as a result of the actions of what in reality were a few hundred xenophobic individuals, who are a tiny minority of our population.’

Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, Ms Ngw Botha, said ‘This debate provides us with an opportunity to reflect on these challenges. The Department of Arts and Culture is, indeed, the lead department responsible for the implementation of government programmes designed to address the challenges of social cohesion. Its primary mission is to develop and promote South African arts, culture and heritage and to mainstream its role in social development.’

In their speeches, the ministers summarise the Department of Arts and Culture’s recent achievements and outline the key issues and challenges for the future.

The Minister's speech can be read via the 'external lik' below. The Deputy Minister's speech can be viewed here.

http://www.dac.gov.za/speeches/minister/Speech06June2008.htm