24 September 2025- The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng said it will conduct a follow-up oversight inspection at the Women’s Living Heritage Monument in Tshwane. The DA said the over R200 million worth monument was completed in 2018, but remains partially operational despite the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation (GDSACR)’s commitment to make it fully functional by specific deadlines, including October 2024.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation in Gauteng and Member of provincial Legislature (MPL), Leanne De Jager said as part of our Heritage Month campaign, the DA will reassess the heritage site to determine why its operationalisation continues to be delayed. De Jager said they will also interact with residents and small business owners operating in the area surrounding the monument to assess the impact of the closure.
“The media is invited to attend and there will be an opportunity for interviews and photographs. The meeting point will be at the Women’s Living Heritage Monument in Pretoria Central, Tshwane on Thursday at 10:30am,” she said.
Picture: North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi
By BAKANG MOKOTO
11 August 2025- The North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Education, Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation said it will hold an oversight meeting with the Department of Education over the First Quarter 2025/26 Performance report.
The meeting will take place at NWPL Committee Room 2 on Tuesday at 8am.
26 March 2025- The Northern Cape MEC for Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture (DSAC), Mangaliso Matika said libraries play a crucial role in shaping the future of generations. Matika said this during a celebration of South African Library Week from 17 until 23 March 2025.
He further said the celebration was under the theme: “Libraries for Sustainable Communities.” Matika added that this theme highlights the vital role libraries play in fostering sustainability, inclusivity, and resilience within communities.
“Throughout the week, libraries across the province hosted various activities, including library drives aimed at promoting literacy, environmental awareness, and community engagement.
“Librarians across the Northern Cape remain deeply committed to their profession, even in the face of economic, political, and social challenges impacting the library sector,” he said.
Matika said rapid technological advancements, constrained budgets that limit access to modern resources and inadequate security services have resulted in unfortunate incidents of vandalism—factors beyond the library’s control, as they stem from broader community circumstances. He said despite these challenges, librarians continue to fulfil their essential roles, fostering a culture of reading, promoting literacy, and ensuring communities have access to valuable information.
“Working in collaboration with the Department of Education, trained reading coaches have been deployed to schools, allowing librarians to focus on enhancing the library experience within dedicated library spaces rather than being school-bound.
“This approach ensures that learners engage with books in an environment designed to inspire a lifelong love for reading. The library is an inclusive space that caters to individuals of all ages, from young children to the elderly, offering a diverse range of reading materials to suit everyone’s interests and needs,” said Matika.
He said the Library Week campaign was a resounding success, with several officials, who were not previously library members registering for library cards. Matika said to apply for a library card, individuals must provide a valid South African ID, proof of residence in
the form of a municipal utility bill or an official rental letter—other forms of proof of address are not accepted.
“Looking ahead, the department remains committed to upgrading and maintaining library facilities to sustain their role as vibrant hubs of knowledge. Through these
efforts, libraries will continue to inspire communities and reinforce just how incredible books truly are,” he said.
Basadi In Music Awards organisers said they are thrilled to announce their partnership with the Creative Arts Directorate a division of the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation for skills transfer program, which is aimed at nurturing the next generation of musical, entertainment and creative talent in South Africa.
Basadi In Music Awards CEO, Hloni Modise-Matau said the collaboration will see the launch of two workshops, which will focus on women passionate about working in the production space in industries such as sound engineering, stage management, lighting and behind the camera to name but a few.
“Fifteen candidates will be selected for a paid internship, where they will be granted an opportunity to work at the 2024 Basadi in Music Awards happening on 10 August 2024, receiving a stipend of R3000 each.
“The programme forms an integral part of Basadi in Music Awards and its pillar of being more than just an award ceremony, but a platform that creates opportunities for the queens in the music industry. Candidates will also get a letter of recommendation from Basadi in Music Awards,” she said.
Modise-Matau further said the workshop will happen on 6 August 2024 at Lesedi Theatre at Joburg Theatre from 10am until 2pm. She added that, additionally the program will include a development showcase, where 8 artists will be called to perform and showcase their craft granting them exposure, experience and be given a stipend.
The Head of Department (HOD) of the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, China Mashinini said: “I am thrilled to see the launch of our partnership with Basadi In Music Awards and the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation under the Creative Arts Directorate.
“This initiative is a significant step in bridging the skills gap and creating opportunities for our talented women in the production and entertainment industries. By offering technical skills workshops and hands-on experience, we are empowering young women to become leaders in their fields and contributing to the vibrant future of the arts in South Africa.”
Mashinini said they are committed to supporting such transformative programs that uplift the communities and celebrate the creative talents of their people.
Meanwhile, an actress, Xoliswa Nduneni-Ngema said she is immensely proud and excited to be part of this transformative partnership with Basadi In Music Awards and the Creative Arts Directorate. Nduneni-Ngema said this collaboration underscores their commitment to creating meaningful job opportunities and empowering the next generation of talented women in the production and entertainment industries.
“By providing hands-on experience and skill-building workshops, we are not only fostering future leaders but also ensuring that the arts continue to thrive in South Africa. We look forward to witnessing the incredible growth and achievements of these aspiring professionals.
“I am very excited about this partnership. This is the first time we are supported by the government and this is a project close to my heart because skills transfer is an important pillar of Basadi in Music,” she said.
Nduneni-Ngema said she is excited for the candidates that will work at Basadi In Music Awards, as they will receive the tools they need to look for employment. She said they live in a country where experience is the main thing industries look for and she is super proud that they will be able to provide that to these young women.
North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Education, Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, will be conducting public hearings throughout the province on the Basic Education Law Amendment Bill [B2B-2022] at Mahikeng Civic Centre in Mahikeng, Sarafina Hall in Potchefstroom, Depot Hall in Taung and Moss Mary Hall (Danhouse) in Moretele at 10am.
The Deputy Director in Communication in North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), Namhla Luhabe said the bills aims to amend the South African Schools Act, 1996, to insert and amend certain definitions to provide that, attendance of Grade R is compulsory to amend the penalty provision in the case, where the parent of a learner, or any other person, without just cause, prevents a learner who is subject to compulsory attendance from attending school.
“Furthermore, the bill seeks to amend the Employment of Educators Act, 1998, so as to amend certain definitions to exclude further education and training centres, adult basic education centres and institutions from the ambit of the Act to prohibit an educator from conducting business with the State and to create an offence in relation thereto to extend the powers of the Minister to make regulations and to provide for matters incidental thereto.
“Relevant stakeholders have been invited to attend the public hearings. The public hearings will be streamed live in the North West Provincial Legislature Facebook page,” she said.
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