McKenzie dissolves national Arts Council Board amid labour dispute

Gayton McKenzie has dissolved the Council of the National Arts Council of South Africa in terms of the National Arts Council Act.

The decision follows an ongoing labour dispute over performance bonuses for the 2019/20, 2020/21 and 2021/22 financial years, which led to a protected strike and financial hardship for employees.

According to the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture, McKenzie had written to the chairperson of the council in April requesting an urgent special meeting to approve a once-off settlement and outlining a governance framework to resolve the matter. However, the dispute remained unresolved.

McKenzie said the council had been given sufficient opportunity to address the issue but failed to act with the urgency required.

The minister also raised concerns over procurement decisions allegedly made during the current period, including spending on external recruitment services and mobile devices for council members despite claims of financial constraints at the institution.

He has instructed the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture to conduct a full review into the expenditure, with any findings of irregular expenditure or financial misconduct to be referred to relevant authorities.

With immediate effect, all members of the NAC council have ceased to hold office. The acting chief executive officer and chief financial officer will continue overseeing daily operations while reporting directly to the department pending further arrangements.

The department’s director-general, together with the minister’s office, will determine interim accounting authority functions in line with the Public Finance Management Act and the NAC Act.

McKenzie said the process of appointing a new council would begin immediately to ensure stability at the institution and minimise disruptions to services provided to artists and arts organisations across South Africa.