Associations to submit plans for budget allocation ANGELA BASSETT'S BIG NIGHT!
MBABANE – Since the National Budget was presented last week Friday by Finance Minister Neal Rijkenberg, Arts Council is waiting for the different associations in the sector to submit their plans for the year
This is so that a budget is allocat ed for each association.
Arts and Culture Council saw an almost double increase from the previ ous year¶s allocation as this year it was allocated E , yet the previous year was E , the same as the year before that.
The Arts and Culture Council falls under the 0inistry of 6ports, Culture and Youth Affairs, which was allocated E million.
The previous year it received E million and it saw an increase of E million for the ministry, which has different associations namely Youth Affairs for Youth Development )und, National )ootball Association, Nationally Youth Council, Eswatini 6ports Council and Council of Arts and Culture.
Allocation
The budget allocation has since been met with mi[ed reactions from artists and their respective associations, on whether the funds were going to be enough and if they were going to be used effectively. This publication managed to get in touch with the Arts Council Office and asked what their plans were going forward with the budget and how.
“The office is currently waiting for the different associations to submit their plans for this financial year and with that, we will have to review everything and come together to discuss. “Then after all the necessary details are discussed, then the council will be able to allocate money to each sector,´ mentioned Arts and Culture Council CEO, 6tanley Dlamini.
During the budget allocation, the 0inister of )inance stated that the whole budget allocation aimed to strike a delicate balance between stimulating the economy and keeping the deficit trimmed. This also includes social empowerment and Mob creation.
,t is worth noting that the Eswatini National Coucil of Arts and Culture (ENCAC) has affiliates which directly benefit from the tranches of money given to the council by government.
Associations
Association of Christian Artists in Eswatini (ACAE6WA), Eswatini Arts and 0usic Association (6WA 0A), Eswatini ,ndependent )ilm and Television 3roducers (E,)T3A) and 3ageants Eswatini Must to name a few.
-ust recently some of these associ ations, E,)T3A and 6WA0A to be e[act, were an[ious about the budget, as they felt there was not much recog nition in their respective sectors. This will be an opportunity for each of the different associations to speak to their members in their associations to make sure that their strategic plans cover all their needs.
The stages to be followed with the budget allocation to each sector will be closely followed.