CUT OUT THE ROT, MTHETHWA

IF A report tabled before Parliament’s portfolio committee on arts and culture is to be believed, the level of rot and rank corruption in the national Department of Arts and Culture is astounding.

No fewer than seven entities funded by the department are currently under investigation for corruption or maladministration.

There are chief executives suspended over bonus payments and irregularities, directors who have been handed sanctions for misconduct and dismissals for bullying and harassment, and entire organisations in trouble because their whole management structure seems to be dodgy.

It makes for grim reading. Corruption affects the ability of the government to serve its people, but what’s worse in this case is that the department is tasked with the upkeep of our very heritage: our books, museums, national treasures, top tourist attractions. Our history and identity is in the hands of people who are gleefully greasing their palms or wilfully flouting good corporate governance.

Of course, in many of the cases, these are allegations and have yet to be tested, but where there’s smoke, there’s fire, right? It’s shocking that a member of Parliament can chastise a government department, saying it is failing to discipline its own entities.

If the department can’t bring its own entities to toe the line, how can we be sure our heritage will be adequately protected?

The truth is, we can’t.

Let’s take the Robben Island Museum and Gateway, where a group of young peace ambassadors waited two hours for their ferry across the bay to the island. Or the scores of tourists who had to be rescued from a partially sunken ferry.

The SA Heritage Resources Agency itself is under investigation over irregular expenditure, breach of oversight and non-compliance.

I’m sure the rot is by no means restricted to the department of arts and culture. But I do hope Minister Nathi Mthethwa is taking note of these developments and will deal with those responsible with a firm hand.

There are enough ordinary people in this city and province who would love the chance to be the custodians of our heritage.

Cut out the rot, minister.