Highly questionable approach to social cohesion

While we’acknowledge Nathi Mthethwa and his Department of Sport, Arts and Culture s U-turn on the initially proposed R22-million SA flagpole monument it is shocking to know that the cabinet at first approved this project.

Mthethwa caused public uproar last week when he announced the R22m monumental flag project saying it would stimulate the steel industry and foster social cohesion. Despite the inevitable decision to reverse this project, it is still alarming to know that minister Mthethwa together with the cabinet had even thought of this project.

What is social cohesion and how do you even create social cohesion with a project that is not accepted by the same people that you are trying to unite?

TV personalities flooded social media questioning the minister’s decision to spend R22m on a monumental flagpole when South African artists are still experiencing the after effects of a hard lockdown. Recently the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture could not pay struggling artists under the lockdown when gatherings were banned, saying it had no money. It looks like Minister Mthethwa thought this was the right time to spend the very same money that his department claimed not to have. South African artists felt the pinch of a hard lockdown with government failing to fully pay out Covid-19 relief funds. Actually it was not just a failure because of the lack of money, but rather some selfserving senior prominent figures stole the money if Mthethwa’s words on Radio 2000 on March 23 2021 at 5.13pm are anything to go by.

Speaking on radio he said: “The National Arts Council is taking action against senior officials implicated in the mismanagement of funds. It's been reported that R300 million earmarked to be disbursed to artists during the pandemic has disappeared.”

As we speak, gatherings are only allowed 50% capacity of the venue, which means that South African artists are still unable to make money as they would under normal circumstances. Let alone the requirement of a Covid-19 certificate or a negative PCR not older than 72 hours which is a barrier for some people to access the gatherings from 2000 attendees and above.

It was not surprising to see this U-turn following the public outcry and the ruling party will use its political term, “We are a listening government”, to explain its change of tack following the public uproar.

Mthethwa caused public uproar over the R22m monumental flag project. It is alarming to know that the cabinet had even thought of this project