Pressure is mounting on the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) and the National Arts Council (NAC) after Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Creatives & Sport Recreation warned it would consider protests if its concerns over funding for artists were not addressed.
In a media statement, the organisation gave Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie 14 days to respond to allegations that artists, particularly those from rural and township communities continue to be excluded from funding opportunities.
As of 6 August 2026, nearly a week has passed since the statement was issued, leaving just days before the deadline expires.
The organisation said that it has received numerous complaints from artists, filmmakers, producers, cultural practitioners and community organisations alleging that funding applications have been rejected without adequate explanation.
It further claimed that many unsuccessful applicants received generic or automated rejection responses, while disputes and appeals were allegedly not dealt with promptly.
“We have received numerous complaints from artists, producers, filmmakers, cultural practitioners and community organisations who allege that a significant number of funding applications have been rejected, with many applicants claiming to have received generic or automated rejection responses,” the statement reads.
The organisation argued that the situation disproportionately affects creatives from rural and township communities, who already face significant barriers to accessing government support.
MK Creatives also questioned government’s spending priorities, drawing attention to the controversy surrounding the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture’s FIFA World Cup delegation.
The organisation cited reports that more than R33 million was spent on activities related to the FIFA World Cup while artists continue to struggle for funding and communities lack basic cultural and sporting infrastructure.
The criticism comes amid growing scrutiny of the department’s World Cup expenditure.
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture recently rejected the department’s report into the trip, describing it as inadequate after officials were unable to fully account for the expenditure.
The committee also heard that the report had never been approved by Minister Gayton McKenzie, despite being presented to Members of Parliament.
The organisation warned that if no satisfactory response is received within the 14-day period, it will consider lawful demonstrations outside the offices of both the National Film and Video Foundation and the National Arts Council.
It said that the protests would seek accountability and urgent intervention over what it describes as the continued neglect of South African creatives.
“We therefore call on Minister Gayton McKenzie to respond to these concerns within 14 days. Should no satisfactory response be received, the Umkhonto weSizwe Creatives & Sport Recreation structure will consider lawful and peaceful action, including demonstrations at the offices of the NFVF and the NAC, to demand accountability and urgent intervention,” reads the statement.
The statement concludes by arguing that South African artists deserve a department that listens and delivers on its constitutional mandate, warning that the country’s creative sector cannot continue to be overlooked while talented practitioners struggle to access meaningful support.