Arts, Culture, Heritage and the National Democratic Revolution
“It is inconceivable that the National Democratic Revolution would fully succeed without elevating arts, culture and heritage which in many instances is seen as soft power at the same level – if not more impactful – as economic and political power.”– 2022 ANC Policy Document on Arts, Culture and Heritage
(Revisiting the Proposed Interventions on the 2022 ANC Policy Document on Arts, Culture and Heritage)
WHAT IS TO BE DONE? PROPOSED INTERVENTIONS
Here we were acknowledging that the arts and culture played a pivotal role in the struggle for national liberation in South Africa and that it should continue to mobilise society around new objectives of building an inclusive non-racial, non-sexist and equal society for all.
These values “should be undertaken within the context of the ideological struggle to cultivate progressive values among all South Africans as part of building a national democratic society”. We are of the view that these could be achieved if we have a vibrant art, culture and heritage policy that is rooted in our communities and imbued by them.
(Urgently develop a legislated Funding Model, perhaps soliciting a substantial percentage from the lottery, to ensure sustainable resourcing of the arts, culture and heritage even during periods of economic challenges).
This is important in South Africa where the values and ethics of liberation struggle are under serious attac
