Mr Chair, the financial mismanagement of Downtown Music Hub, DMH, remains a major challenge in the attainment of a clean audit for the NAC. An amount of R18,5 million has been spent on the DMH over a period of five years, but the special-purpose vehicle set up to run the studio has never materialised and has not produced financial accounts for the past three years. The DAC did not seek permission from the Minister of Finance to own the studios and therefore the amount is regarded as irregular wasteful expenditure.
Die DA ondersteun die bewaring van kunstenaars se musiekgeskiedenis ten volle, maar daar moet deeglik besin word oor hoe dit optimaal gedoen moet word. Slimmer beleggings kan egter tot groter voordeel vir die ontwikkeling van belowende kunstenaars lei. Die opname-bedryf in ons land is baie kompeterend en huisateljees beskik oor die nuutste digitale tegnologie wat nodig is vir kwaliteitopnames. Hierdie ateljees is ook makliker beskikbaar vir kunstenaars uit die plattelandse dele van die land.
Die departement het R46 miljoen vir konsultante begroot, terwyl vakante poste nie gevul kon word nie. Amptenare se vaardighede moet verskerp word sodat die uitermatige gebruik van konsultante nie nodig sal wees nie. Die DA kan dus nie die begrotingspos ondersteun nie. Ek dank u. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[The DA fully supports the preservation of the musical history of artists, but careful consideration needs to be given to how this should be done to optimal effect. More intelligent investment, however, could result in greater benefit regarding the development of promising artists. The recording industry in our country is very competitive and home-based studios are equipped with the latest digital technology required for producing quality recordings. These studios are also more accessible to artists from the rural parts of our country.
The department has budgeted R46 million for consultants, while vacant posts could not be filled. The skills of officials need to be enhanced so that the excessive use of consultants will not be necessary. Consequently the DA is not able to support the Vote. I thank you.]