The Democratic Alliance (DA) has formally requested that Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie and members of the Mzansi Golden Economy (MGE) adjudication panel appear before Parliament following allegations of political bias and mismanagement in the allocation of arts funding.
The DA submitted its request to Joe McGluwa, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture, amid growing concerns that public funds intended to support South Africa’s creative sector were diverted to politically connected events.
“Established and long-standing festivals were denied their usual support and forced to reapply to the MGE, only to have their applications rejected,” said Leah Potgieter, DA spokesperson on sport, arts and culture.
She cited major cultural events such as the National Arts Festival, KKNK, Woordfees, Suidoosterfees, and the Cape Town International Jazz Festival among those that were excluded from prior funding, while events allegedly linked to the Patriotic Alliance (PA) – the party led by Gayton McKenzie – received backing.
Allegations of Political Interference and Lack of Oversight
The MGE fund, designed to stimulate the local arts and cultural economy, is allocated R1.4 billion over the medium term, according to GCIS records.
However, the DA now claims the adjudication process has been compromised.
The party alleges that the appointment of adjudication panel members was politically influenced, with several panellists holding active political roles, and that the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture failed to conduct conflict-of-interest checks during the appointment process.
“This constitutes a breach of good governance as outlined in the King IV Code on Corporate Governance and existing public service regulations,” said Potgieter.
Lack of Accountability from the Minister
The DA also criticised Minister Gayton McKenzie for failing to respond to written parliamentary questions submitted on 17 September, which sought a detailed explanation and documentary evidence regarding MGE funding decisions.
With no response provided within the legally required timeframe, the DA is demanding a full disclosure of all MGE allocations and a formal parliamentary inquiry.
“We are calling on the committee to summon the minister and the adjudication panel to account. Transparency in the use of public funds is non-negotiable, especially in the arts sector, where livelihoods are at stake,” said Potgieter.
Context and Next Steps
This controversy comes as South Africa’s arts and culture sector continues to grapple with limited funding, rising operational costs, and increasing competition for public support.
The DA insists that without immediate intervention, public trust in the MGE programme – and broader cultural funding mechanisms – may be irreparably damaged.
The committee is yet to confirm whether it will summon the minister and panel.
