You might recall the R22 million flag proposal that waved a lot more insensitivity than pride for the country in the faces of South Africans two months ago.
Luckily, the massive flag (and headache) plans were scrapped after enough people criticised Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa’s big idea.
Also read: The 22 million giant SA flag – An act of symbolism or of disrespecting money?
However, Mthethwa has another plan up his sleeve, this time for a R30 million national orchestra.
If there was ever a time not to be spending excessive amounts of taxpayer’s cash, it’s probably now, no matter how much you love classical music, writes Cape {town} Etc’s Ashleigh Nefdt.
Not only are we in the midst of inflation woes, Eskom’s crippling struggle to power South Africa along with petrol prices are enough to convert us to riding bicycles, we’re also still recovering from post-pandemic financial strains as a country.
Also read: South Africa’s triple threat: loadshedding, petrol price, and electricity tariffs
At a glance, Mthethwa’s proposal is part of the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra Report 2021/22. According to Daily Maverick, it would be comprised of the “cream of South African musicians who have earned a reputation for excellence and innovation in their fields” and has been likened to a National sports team.
The real red flags in the plan are the lack of transparency as to where exactly the funds are going.
Critics of the costly plan include Louis Heynman, Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra CEO. According to EWN, Heynman said: “we can’t afford it and we don’t need it; I think it’s a folly, a personal folly of Nathi Mthethwa.”
Other experts in the Orchestra industry also voiced concerns. Willem Vogel, Artistic Director of the Brooklyn Theatre and Gauteng Philharmonic Orchestra shared his thoughts.
“It’s a huge amount of money which could be put to much better use with individual orchestras. I’m completely and utterly against it. It’s just kind of been formed under the table and all of a sudden emerged,” as per Daily Maverick.
Erik Albertyn of the Eastern Cape Philharmonic said that the idea isn’t practical nor realistic. He added that it’s “great that there is funding for an orchestra, but I believe there should be a decentralised approach to it all”.
The department is expected to make the official announcement about the R30 million plan today, 14 July.
Also read:
Picture: Pexels