THE creative industry and political parties in KZN have welcomed the appointment of Amanda Bani-Mapena.
She’s the new MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture. She replaces Hlengiwe Mavimbela, who was reshuffled last week.
However, they also want Bani-Mapena to tackle corruption in the Department of Arts and Culture.
THE DA’s Bradley Singh said: “I believe she has the capabilities to take the department to new heights. However, there are many issues that are still outstanding. I have faith in her because she has the required experience. This department is full of corruption. We therefore call upon her to deal with all the complaints that we lodged with her predecessor. If she does not do the right thing, we will take her on.”
Gospel artist Andile Majola said: “I am happy with her appointment. She is a suitable candidate to take over this department. She has a background in arts and culture. Part of her studies included the arts and she was at the forefront of organising events. She understands the plight of artists, and she always fights for artists’ rights and she’s clued up about the creative industry. She has also worked with artists on the ground, and many of my colleagues are happy with her appointment.”
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KZN secretary for the Cultural and Creative Industries Federation of South Africa (CCIFSA), Howard Msomi, said: “We congratulate her on the responsibility she’s been given. As CCIFSA in KZN, we are trying to build an organised industry and we were working well with the previous MEC. We expect her to continue with the good work, and we are hoping she’ll take the industry to the next level. As a matter of urgency, we expect her to develop a provincial strategy for our artists.
“Without this strategy, we will not go anywhere. We also need proper co-ordination within the government.
“For example, our industry is lined with other governments and we’d like to have co-ordination.”
Nomvula Maneli from Trade Union Musicians of South Africa (TUMSA) in KZN, congratulated Amanda.
“We congratulate the new young, female MEC of arts and culture, especially with the new woman provincial premier at the helm. We are happy with the new appointments which are perfectly aligned with gender parity in leadership positions, and we look forward to working with her. We have a renewed hope in accessing opportunities aimed at nation building, social cohesion and moral regeneration as musicians, and we believe this new leadership will be innovative and effective in her tenure, bringing value back to the arts sector,” said Maneli.
