Cultural Transformation Process

CULTURAL TRANSFORMATION PROCESS

• This process sets out to review existing policies on arts, culture and heritage presently utilised by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport of the Western Cape Provincial Government.

• The national White Paper on Arts, Culture and Heritage has been utilised by the Department as the guide to practice.

• After the dawn of our new democracy in 1994 we need to reassess our progress and learn from the lessons of the past years. This policy provides a new vision and policy direction for the Department and its statutory bodies.

It was decided at a Western Cape Provincial Cabinet Lekgotla that the MEC for Cultural Affairs, Sport and Recreation, should host a Cultural Transformation Indaba during August 2004 for most of the stakeholders in the arts, culture and heritage sphere in the Western Cape.

The purpose of the indaba was to provide a platform for interactive debate in order to kick-start the development of transformed policies that aid efficient and effective service delivery in the arts, culture and heritage field in line with the vision of Cabinet to “make the Western Cape a home for all”.

At the indaba the way forward was divided into various phases:

• A consolidated report on the indaba would be provided by the facilitators. • The deliberations at the indaba would be taken into account by the Department in the development of its strategic plans. • A reference group would be appointed by the Department to assist in the drafting of the policy. • The draft policy itself. • A Cultural Impact Conference would be held at the Cape Town Convention Centre. • Follow-up indabas on the Cultural Transformation Indaba would discuss and ratify the draft policy. • In the Department a parallel process would run to review current policy and legislation and develop new legislation, but it would and must be influenced by the new policy that is being developed. • A 2010 Culture Task Team would have to be appointed.

The Head (HOD) of the provincial Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, in collaboration with staff members of the Department, selected members of civil society to serve on a Cultural Transformation Reference Group (CTRG) whose mandate it was to take the process of policy development and formulation to its conclusion.

The preliminary draft policy has been discussed with the MEC of Cultural Affairs, Sport and Recreation, the HOD and the various components at Cultural Affairs. It has also been provided to the public entities of the Department for input and feedback.

The cultural transformation process and the draft policy were presented and discussed at workshops in the rural municipal areas of the Western Cape. The input of the delegates as well as the feedback on a questionnaire, (which was distributed at the workshops) were taken into cognisance when the draft policy was refined. This strategy seeks to ensure the inclusion of rural constituencies in the policy formulation process.

The following areas were included in the rural workshops during March 2005:

Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport. Departement van Kultuursake en Sport. Isebe Lemicimbi yeNkcubeko NeMidlalo www.capegateway.gov.za/culture_sport / 0860-142-142 Updated by Annerie Pruis on 20/5/2006

BOLAND: Tulbagh, Ceres, Prince Alfred Hamlet, Wolseley, Saron, Wellington, Paarl, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Pniel, Touws River, De Doorns, Worcester, Rawsonville, Robertson, Montagu, Ashton, McGregor, Bonnievale, etc.

WEST COAST: Lutzville, Ebenhaeser, Vredendal, Vanrhynsdorp, Doringbaai, Strandfontein, Klawer, Lamberts Bay, Graafwater, Clanwilliam, Citrusdal, Redelinghuys, Aurora, Velddrif, Piketberg, Porterville, Langebaan, Hopefield, Koringberg, Moorreesburg, Yzerfontein, Darling, Malmesbury, etc.

OVERBERG: Villiersdorp, Grabouw, Botrivier, Caledon, Middleton, Genadendal, Greyton, Riversonderend, Hangklip, Hermanus, Stanford, Gansbaai, Napier, Bredasdorp, Struisbaai, Barrydale, Swellendam, Suurbraak, Infanta, etc.

CENTRAL KAROO: Laingsburg, Leeu-Gamka, Prince Albert, Beaufort West, etc.

EDEN: Ladismith, Calitzdorp, Zoar, Vanwyksdorp, Heidelberg, Slangrivier, Riversdale, Albertinia, Gourits, Stilbaai, Herbertsdale, Friemersheim, Great Brak River, Mossel Bay, George, Wilderness, Oudtshoorn, Dysselsdorp, De Rust, Plettenberg Bay, Rheenendal, Belvedere Estate, Knysna, Sedgefield, Brenton, Noetzie, etc.

During April 2005 the CTRG provided the HOD and the MEC with their final product. The draft policy was discussed at a departmental workshop during October 2005 with the MEC, HOD, officials and representatives of the public entities. It was redistributed to the department and it’s public entities for further input. A Provincial Policy Summit were hosted during November 2005 and the draft is in the process to be redefined according to the feedback of the department, it’s public entities and input of attendees of summit.

Thereafter it will be reviewed at various National Policy Seminars during 2006. Once the draft will be in line with the national process it will be submitted to the Western Cape Cabinet (accompanied by an implementation plan and a costing analysis).

The Cultural Affairs component reaffirms the value and importance of arts and culture to democracy and effective government service delivery. An effective arts and culture strategy has the power to promote social cohesion, create economic sustainability and develop livelihoods, build healthy and empowered communities and imbue citizens with a sense of confidence and pride in their historic, cultural and linguistic heritage. Effective strategies create a citizenry at ease with itself and its identity and one that will be eminently capable of contributing to a healthy nation.

In true partnership and in the healthiest spirit of co-operation, civil society representatives and staff members of the Department will develop and draft the arts, culture and heritage policy for the Western Cape Government.