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Key Takeaways
- The National Arts Festival (NAF) in Makhanda is facing uncertainty regarding funding from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) for the 2026 event.
- Despite the uncertainty, NAF organizers are confident the festival will proceed, relying on support from longstanding partners like the Eastern Cape Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Standard Bank, and other sponsors.
- The DSAC is shifting its focus towards supporting new provincial flagship projects and ensuring a sustainable funding mix for the arts, potentially reducing reliance on government funding for established festivals.
- The potential defunding of the NAF raises concerns about job losses (potentially 3,000 jobs) and the significant economic impact the festival has on Makhanda and the Eastern Cape.
- Minister McKenzie emphasizes the need to support new and diverse festivals, while also urging established festivals to develop sustainable funding models beyond government dependency.
Summary
The 2026 National Arts Festival (NAF) in Makhanda faces an uncertain future regarding funding from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC). While Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, indicates that funding is still pending, he emphasizes a shift in the department’s focus towards supporting new provincial flagship projects and promoting a more sustainable funding model for the arts sector, one that is less reliant on government support.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding DSAC funding, NAF CEO Monica Newton asserts that the festival will proceed as planned from June 26 to July 6, 2026. She highlights the continued support from long-standing partners such as the Eastern Cape Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Standard Bank, and numerous other sponsors who have been associated with the festival for many years. Newton also emphasizes the ongoing engagement with the national department and collaboration with other festivals concerned about the current policy and funding environment.
Minister McKenzie clarified that national flagship events like the NAF have not been defunded outright, as they are eligible to apply for funding through an open call process, similar to other festivals. He pointed out that in the 2025 round, the NAF’s application was unsuccessful, while other projects, such as the Ebubeleni Festival in the Eastern Cape, received support. The Minister also stated that funding for national flagship projects is not "ringfenced" and is considered part of the broader cultural and creative industries projects.
The potential withdrawal of government funding for the NAF has raised significant concerns about the festival’s impact on employment and the local economy. Should the festival’s funding application for 2026 be rejected, approximately 3,000 jobs could be at risk.
McKenzie argues that festivals that have been reliant on government support for extended periods need to explore alternative funding models to ensure their sustainability. He advocates for supporting new and diverse festivals, allowing new entrants into the arts space and providing opportunities for historically excluded festivals to grow.
The National Arts Festival holds significant economic importance for Makhanda and the Eastern Cape. A study conducted by researchers from Nelson Mandela University estimated the economic impact of the 2024 festival to be R57.9 million on the Makhanda economy and R131.8 million on the Eastern Cape economy. Although there was a decline from previous years due to the impact of rising inflation and poor economic growth, the festival also provides important local hub for social development.
Democratic Alliance caucus leader in Makhanda, Luvuyo Sizani, underscored the festival’s vital role as the town’s economic engine for decades, creating jobs, hope, and survival for many families and small businesses by attracting thousands of visitors and boosting the local economy.
