CHRIS THURMAN: Making a strong case for importance of the arts
When President Cyril Ramaphosa announced his "transitional" cabinet in February (with the promise of a more substantial restructuring of portfolios to follow) he did not read out a new name for minister of arts and culture. The view that this is not an important ministry was thus confirmed; when Jacob Zuma wanted to send Nathi Mthethwa to the naughty corner, it was to the arts and culture ministry that he was consigned, and there he remains. When the much-touted reduced cabinet is presented (probably only after the national elections in 2019), arts and culture will likely be combined either with sport and recreation or with science and technology. While the bloated Zuma-era cabinet needs some drastic cutting, such a move would undoubtedly leave arts and culture playing second fiddle to a much better funded partner. It would be a cheap plywood fiddle, with a broken string or two, and a bow made of plastic and the hair of a retired carthorse. The country’s arts practitioners are feeli...
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