The department has just recently advertised over 10 posts. Most of these posts are in the Administration programme and have been approved as part of the revised organisational structure. The department has done so in response to a call made by the President during the state of the nation address for all government departments to fill all vacant posts by midyear.
The department continues to upgrade all its public entities and has allocated to this R455,6 million in 2011-12, R483 million in 2012-13 and R509,5 million in the 2013-14 financial year. In 2009, the department completed the construction of the new National Library building in Pretoria at a cost of R374 million, and the second phase of Freedom Park was completed in 2010-11 at a cost of R700 million.
Arts and Culture's budget provides additional allocations of R105,7 million for the 2011-12 financial year, mainly for conditions of service; transfers to the National Film and Video Foundation to develop the local film industry and create jobs; municipal and accommodation charges; institutional support and capacity building for the National Library of South Africa and the South African Library for the Blind; operational costs of the Bloemfontein National Museum; and bursaries for Heritage Studies.
Administration programme spending has increased at an average annual rate of 11,2% from R129,6 million in 2007-08 to R178 million in 2010-11. It is expected to increase at an average annual rate of 5% over the medium term to reach R206,3 million. During 2010-11, the allocation for goods and services has increased by R23,3 million due to a virement mainly for the payment of leases and municipal services.
Suid-Afrika is die tuiste van 'n unieke en diverse kunshandwerknywerheid. Handwerkkunstenaars het oor die jare 'n lewendige erfenis ten opsigte van die kunshandwerknywerheid opgebou deur natuurlike hulpbronne en herwinbare produkte soos, onder meer, plastieksakke, papier, kartondose en draad vanuit alle gemeenskappe te gebruik.
Hoewel die kunshandwerknywerheid geleidelik gegroei het van die blote uitdrukking van individuele vaardighede tot entrepreneurskap, is daar vir praktisyns steeds geen beskerming teen uitbuiting nie. Die nywerheid maak nie voorsiening vir billike winsvoordele of vir deelname aan die kunshandwerkekonomie of -mark vanuit die perspektief van landelike ontwikkeling nie.
Saam moet ons dit verander. Die departement moet weer streekskantore in die lewe roep of vestig waar plaaslike inwoners om hulp kan aanklop. Pretoria is te ver. Daar is nege provinsies - Gauteng is nie die enigste provinsie nie. [Applous.] (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[South Africa is home to a unique and diverse arts and crafts industry. Arts and crafts artists have established a vibrant heritage of arts and crafts over the years by making use of natural resources and recyclable products, for example plastic bags, paper, cartons and wire, which are to be found in all communities.
Although the arts and crafts industry has gradually grown from being a the mere expression of individual skills to entrepreneurship, practitioners still have no protection against exploitation. From a rural development perspective, the industry does not make provision for fair profit gains or for participation in the arts and crafts economy or market.
We have to work together to change that. The department must reinstitute regional offices where local residents can go for assistance. Pretoria is too far. There are nine provinces - Gauteng is not the only province. [Applause.]]
The department supports good governance by promoting efficient record management in organs of state by approving submitted filing plans, systems and disposal authorities, and by issuing at least seven guidelines or circulars per year through the National Archives.
Die departement sal billiker toegang tot biblioteekbronne verseker deur teen Maart 2012 'n beleidsraamwerk vir norme en standaarde vir gemeenskapsbiblioteke te ontwikkel en te implementeer.
Laastens, wil ek afsluit deur die Departement van Kuns en Kultuur en ook die erfenispraktisyns wat die sektor se potensiaal en vermo vir ekonomiese groei en diensgeleenthede ontsluit, te bedank. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[The department will ensure improved access to library resources by developing and implementing a policy framework for the norms and standards of community libraries by March 2012.
Finally, I want to conclude by thanking the Department of Arts and Culture, and also the heritage practitioners who unlock and develop the potential and capabilities of the sector for economic growth and service opportunities.]
The ANC supports the Budget Vote. Thank you very much.