If South Africa is flat-lining, then arts and culture are the defibrillator. This is according to some artists at the launch of the Department of Arts and Cultures Living Legends Legacy Project, which is intended to promote cultural development through mentorship and master classes. By Leonie Wagner and Gabe Mbele
Minister Nathi Mthethwa has pledged R5-million as an initial investment.
Veterans such as Joe Mafela, Abigail Kubeka, Don Mattera, Caiphus Semenya and Thandi Klaasen will run master classes and mentor up-and-coming artists.
Mthethwa said: Our strategic objective is to ensure that there is transference of skills, knowledge and experience to the younger generation, while at the same time creating opportunities for our legends to continue pursuing viable careers in the arts.
Although many welcome the project, government funding remains a problem for the industry.
Greg Homann, of the Wits School of Arts, said that while government funding was available for the theatre, there was a problem in respect of artists accessing it.
About the project, Homann said: In principle this sounds like a valuable initiative and on paper it has merit as a means to strengthen young artists, but my fear, if other initiatives like this are anything to go by, is that the engagement period will be too short for any real moment of value, and the structure of the engagement will be too informal to achieve a meaningful result .
Director and playwright John Kani and musician Simphiwe Dana said more funding was needed. Kani said that the lack of funding was a reflection of the governments attitude to the arts.
It makes me angry that arts and culture are not [on the governments] agenda. Weve lost our humanity because we are so focused on maths, science and engineering. Ubuntu was not found in science, its in the arts.
I want the government to take the arts seriously, I want business to invest, and I want the community to support the arts.
Recording Industry of SA operations director David du Plessis welcomed the project but said many artists are dying poor because we are not getting airplay on our own radio stations.
--
Kani added: If you are going to encourage legends to hand over the baton, whos going to see to their livelihood? Some will say its my duty, but my duty was my contribution to the liberation struggle ... my duty is over; now I must be remunerated.
Dana said: The programme is a start, but can they also enrich black people in their projects. Many artists are dying poor still because we are not getting airplay on our own radio stations where international music is still favoured over local content. This is an ongoing debate about developing local content and the fact that funding processes for local filmmakers and authors should be simplified. People shouldnt have to wait two years to get funding.
Recording Industry of South Africa (Risa) operations director David du Plessis welcomed the Living Legends project, saying older musicians can teach the young musicians vital skills about the industry.
This could lead to solidarity between the department and the arts and culture in this case, musicians, and would open the doors to an ongoing engagements with relevant stakeholders and musicians in the country. Sure the department can do better, but it would be unfair to point out certain cases because different people have different experiences with the department, said Du Plessis.
The Cape Town Film Commissions chief executive officer Denis Lillie said individuals involved in the industry are already assisting by being members of panels and workshops that support and inform the emerging talent which has led to a huge transfer of knowledge and skills already.
In the 2013/2014 financial year the Cape Town film industry contributed R5,5-billion to the Western Cape economy through all aspects of film and television including animation, commercials, reality TV shows. Lillie applauded the Department of Arts and Culture for signing film co-production treaties with countries such as the UK, Ireland, Germany and France.
There are some challenges appearing in the processes and policies of DAC such as the exclusion of certain demographic groups from some opportunities.
They could work with and support more organisations such as the Cape Film Commission and support more South African film productions designed to sell into the international market. This would allow a more sustainable indigenous film and television industry to develop that would create more sustainable jobs and productions that are less reliant on government funding, said Lillie.
Associate Professor Michael Campbell of the College of Music at the University of Cape Town said: As professionals in the music industry we obviously welcome support for the discipline, and would value any positive contribution emanating from government circles .
www.timeslive.co.za
Business and Finance
South Africa
News
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
01/04/2026
January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION
Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
How Chris Bolte Builds the Sound of PlayStation Games Chris Bolte '16 is a technical sound designer at Sucker Punch Productions, where he helps create the...
18/03/2026
Newly named chief product officer (CPO), Larissa G rner Meeus will return to Net Insight on May 4.
Larissa G rner Meeus will become CPO of Net Insight on May 4...
18/03/2026
SVG Europe's The Football Summit 2026 explored how the sports broadcasting i...
18/03/2026
The 2026 NAB Show kicks off one month from today and SVG is once again set to cover the show from every angle. SVG's SportsTech@NAB Show Blog is now live - ...
18/03/2026
(L-R) The cast and crew of Dead Lover at The Ray Theater for its premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. (Photo by Robin Marshall/Shutterstock for Sundan...
18/03/2026
Yamaha C7 captured in Nashville
Wiltone Productions have announced the release of Music Row Piano, a deeply sampled Yamaha C7 piano library that's been ...
18/03/2026
Bass-enhancement plug-in upgraded
Along with a steady stream of new releases, Techivation have recently been revisiting some of the older plug-ins in their ...
18/03/2026
Mix-reference plug-in overhauled
iZotope's powerful mix-referencing plug-in has just reached its third major version, and now boasts a new capture proce...
18/03/2026
Latest EZKeys 2 expansion arrives
Toontrack's staggering collection of EZKeys 2 expansions has grown once again, and the latest instalment delivers a on...
18/03/2026
Jess Ho explores the politics of food in new SBS Audio podcast For The Culture
18 March, 2026
Media releases
New SBS Audio podcast For The Culture, hosted ...
18/03/2026
Future-ready broadcasts with ATSC 3.0 and enhanced services from Rohde & Schwarz...
18/03/2026
London Calling - When The Industry Convened to Help Streaming Find its MoJo In this blog, Laura Rognoni reflects on key discussions from the Connected TV World...
18/03/2026
SMPTE Unveils 2026 NAB Show Educational Presentations
Brie Clayton March 18, 2026
0 Comments
SMPTE , the home of media professionals, technologists, a...
18/03/2026
Auditel Ad Campaign Shot on Blackmagic PYXIS 12K
Brie Clayton March 18, 2026
0 Comments
LED wall virtual production blends 12K open gate acquisition w...
18/03/2026
Brainstorm transforms productivity and sustainability with Suite 7 at NAB Show 2...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
SMPTE , the home of media professionals, technologists, and engineers, today unveiled its educational presentations for the 2026 NAB Show. This year SMPTE will ...
18/03/2026
Maxon, maker of powerful, approachable software solutions for creators working in 2D and 3D design, motion graphics, visual effects, gaming, and more, today ann...
18/03/2026
Digital Alert Systems
Preview
2026 NAB Show
April 19 - 22
Booth C3452
At the 2026 NAB Show, Digital Alert Systems will showcase Version 6.0 of its DASDEC ...
18/03/2026
Setplex today announced that it will showcase its complete, fully integrated Zapflex platform for the first time at the 2026 NAB Show, introducing powerful new ...
18/03/2026
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT RELATES TO THE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION THAT QUALIFIED OR MAY HAVE QUALIFIED AS INSIDE INFORMATION WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 7(1) OF THE ...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking DP for Low Budget Dramedy - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Director of Photography for Low Budget Dramedy Fe...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking Gaffer for Low Budget Dramedy - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Gaffer for Low Budget Dramedy Feature Film- I...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking Location, Sound for Low Budget Dramedy - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Location/Sound for Low Budget Dramed...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking Child Wrangler for Low Budget Film - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Child Wrangler for Low Budget Dramedy Fe...
18/03/2026
Calrec Redefines Broadcast Workflows at NAB 2026 with its Most Powerful Hardware...
18/03/2026
Oscar Nominated Two People Exchanging Saliva Posted with DaVinci Resolve Studio
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
DaVinci Resolve Studio handle...
18/03/2026
Boston Conservatory Presents Celebrated Musical Satire Urinetown Performances for this Center Stage production will take place at Boston Conservatory Theater ...
18/03/2026
Charlie Puth Joins Switched on Pop at Berklee NYC The Berklee alum spoke with host and Berklee NYC professor Charlie Harding for a live taping, answering audi...
18/03/2026
X-Rite Pantone Demonstrates Advanced Color Management Solutions to Support Smart...
18/03/2026
Wednesday 18 March 2026
BAFTA winner James McAvoy to star in Sky Original serie...
18/03/2026
Wednesday 18 March 2026
Sky Sports and Zuffa Boxing announce multi-year agreement for the UK and Ireland
Sky Sports and Zuffa Boxing have announced a new mult...
18/03/2026
Wednesday 18 March 2026
Sky Unveils Poster and Trailer for Original Feature Fil...
If South Africa is flat-lining, then arts and culture are the defibrillator. This is according to some artists at the launch of the Department of Arts and Cultures Living Legends Legacy Project, which is intended to promote cultural development through mentorship and master classes. By Leonie Wagner and Gabe Mbele
