THE OLD VOICES ARE GETTING LOUDER BECAUSE THE NEW VOICES ARE NO LONGER ASKING FOR PERMISSION By Thami akaMbongo Manzana There is something uncomfortable happening in South Africa's Cultural and Creative Industries. Something is shifting. And perhaps the most uncomfortable part is that the people who have historically controlled the microphone are beginning to realise that they no longer control the conversation. For decades, information within the Cultural and Creative Industries moved through established channels. Newspapers, magazines, broadcasters, institutions, conferences, universities, government structures and recognised industry bodies determined, to a large extent, what was important, who was credible, whose opinion mattered and which stories deserved attention. That world is changing. The microphone has been decentralised. The gatekeepers are losing their monopoly. And the new voices are not necessarily asking for permission to enter the room. They are building their ow...

  THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM GOVERNMENT REFUSES TO ADDRESS By Thami akaMbongo Manzana There is an uncomfortable conversation that the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) and many of its public entities have avoided for far too long. It is a conversation about Unsolicited Funding, Special Projects and Flagship Programmes . For years, artists, filmmakers, heritage practitioners, publishers, musicians, cultural organisations and creative entrepreneurs have fought over limited public funding through open calls. They submit lengthy applications, comply with strict eligibility criteria, wait months for adjudication, and then anxiously await public announcements. That is how public funding should work. Or so we are told. But there appears to be another world operating alongside the public one, a world that many ordinary practitioners know little about. A world of discretionary funding mechanisms, special allocations and flagship initiatives that are far less visible than the annual...

  A NIGHT OF LIGHT, HEALING AND MUSICAL EXCELLENCE WITH LISO THE MUSICIAN  There are performances that entertain, and then there are performances that transform. ISIBANE (The Light) , the latest theatrical music production by Liso the Musician , promises to be one of those unforgettable evenings where music, spirituality, storytelling and healing become one. On Saturday, 8 August 2026 at 19:00 , audiences are invited to the Malombo Theatre at the South African State Theatre in Pretoria to witness a production that speaks directly to the soul. More than a concert, ISIBANE is a deeply personal tribute to Liso's late daughter, Sikhanyiselwe Sesenkosi Sindo , whose name means "Her Light." From this profound loss emerges a powerful artistic offering that celebrates faith, resilience, hope and the enduring power of love. Accompanied by the Black Labone House Band and Eden Praise , Liso invites audiences on a spiritual and emotional journey unlike any other currently on South...

  WHAT THE EFF CAN LEARN ABOUT ENGAGING CREATIVES AND INDEPENDENT VOICES  By Thami akaMbongo Manzana It has taken me considerable time to find the courage and the right words to write this piece. It is perhaps one of the most difficult articles I have penned because I have never hidden my belief that the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) remains one of the strongest political vehicles through which the aspirations of South Africa's cultural and creative industries can be advanced. Over many years, Commander-in-Chief Julius Malema has consistently demonstrated an understanding of the challenges facing artists, performers, writers and cultural practitioners, often giving the sector a platform when many chose to ignore it. It is precisely because of that history that I believe we must also reserve the right to disagree when we believe the movement or its leadership gets it wrong.  Respect does not require silence, and loyalty should never demand blind agreement. On this matte...

  What It Means for the Arts Sector, Minister Gayton McKenzie, and Upcoming Funding Decisions By Thami akaMbongo Manzana  The Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria has delivered a significant interim ruling that could have far-reaching implications for the governance of the National Arts Council (NAC) and the administration of public arts funding in South Africa. The judgment, dated 31 July 2026 , temporarily suspends the implementation of Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie's decision of 25 May 2026 to dissolve the NAC Council, pending the final determination of a judicial review. Based on the pages shared, the court also orders that the applicants and remaining Council members be reinstated pending the outcome of Part B of the proceedings. While this is an interim order rather than the final determination of the dispute, it immediately raises important questions about governance, funding approvals and institutional stability. What Did the Court Orde...

  Why Arts and Cultural Practitioners Must Step Forward to Protect the National Arts Council By Thami akaMbongo Manzana The opening of the process to appoint an Independent Panel that will recommend candidates to serve on the Council of the National Arts Council (NAC) presents yet another defining moment for South Africa's Cultural and Creative Industries. This is not merely another government advertisement. It is an invitation to shape the future governance of one of the country's most important public institutions responsible for investing in the arts. The question is: Who will answer the call? Governance Begins Before Funding For many years, artists have been vocal about delayed funding, inconsistent communication, governance failures, transparency concerns and the overall direction of the National Arts Council. While these concerns are valid, meaningful change cannot only happen when funding outcomes are announced. It begins much earlier with the people entrusted to overse...

  IS IT FINALLY TIME FOR THE CULTURAL AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES TO OCCUPY THE SEATS OF POWER? By Thami akaMbongo Manzana For decades, South Africa's Cultural and Creative Industries have consistently argued that one of the greatest challenges facing the sector is that decisions affecting artists are often made by people who have never lived the realities of being an artist. From funding models and labour conditions to intellectual property, education, infrastructure and social protection, the question has always been the same: Who is making these decisions, and do they truly understand the lived experiences of creatives? As South Africa approaches the Local Government Elections on 04 November 2026 , an interesting political development is unfolding. Writer, poet and cultural activist Ntsiki Mazwai has been announced as the mayoral candidate for the Land Party in the City of Johannesburg. At the same time, arts practitioner Tshepo Mashiane has been announced by ActionSA as its MMC c...