Portfolio Committee on Education, Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation chaired by Hon. Tebogo Modise held an oversight meeting

Portfolio Committee on Education, Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation chaired by Hon. Tebogo Modise held an oversight meeting with the Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation and Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sports over the 2023/24 Annual Reports.

The department achieved an unqualified audit opinion without any material findings (clean audit) which reflected an overall significant improvement in annual financial statements, audit of predetermined objectives and expenditure management. Some of the department’s achievements include 822 job opportunities for youth, women and people with disabilities; overachievement on number of cultural and creative industries practitioners developed through capacity programs and events in the industry; partnership with Indonesian Embassy in implementing the Batik and Jewellery Training and launching of Ipelegeng and Kopela Community Art Centres.

Head of Department, Mr. Itumeleng Mogorosi said the department spent R730,5 million on the financial year under review. “We have spent 95 percent of the total budget of R764,2 million through various programmes of the department such as the supporting few requests for Heritage Day celebrations; hosted local book clubs and Mahika Mahikeng Kgotla event and.

“We’ve also completed the project of delivery and installation of modular structure to establish a library in Uitkyk village in Moses Kotane Local Municipality; launched internet/Wi-Fi service in 92 community libraries in conjunction with Office of the Premier and trained people in Sports and Recreation Programmes,” said Mr. Mogorosi.
Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sports Foundation also acquired an unqualified audit opinion with findings on revenue management.
Hon. Modise said the department needs to assist the entities which has been experiencing maladministration and other administrative challenges. “The department must review the 2019 turnaround strategy of the entities as we’ve heard of many challenges of maladministration: low staff moral and absconding personnel and low staff morale. More than 80 percent of senior management is on acting position hence the underperformance of the Mmabana Foundation,” said Hon. Modise.