By Phenyo Selinda
The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), Gayton McKenzie, has pledged to assist the financially struggling National School of the Arts (NSA) in overcoming its financial difficulties. This commitment follows recent headlines highlighting the NSA’s dire financial situation, which has brought the esteemed institution to the brink of bankruptcy.
Accompanied by Deputy Minister Peace Mabe and DSAC management, McKenzie visited the NSA on Saturday to assess the situation. During the meeting, it was revealed that the school’s cash flow had been exhausted, raising concerns that salaries might not be paid at the end of August. Despite falling under the Gauteng Department of Basic Education, the NSA offers specialised high school subjects in the arts, making its financial stability crucial.
“In a very productive engagement, the Minister undertook to have the Ministry carry some of the school’s immediate liabilities, while the Minister and the department will engage with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to study the school’s business model and return it to independence and stability over the coming months,” said the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture.
An agreement was reached between Minister McKenzie and the School Governing Body, recognising the NSA as a valuable national asset within the arts sector. The institution is seen as integral to granting access to the arts for underprivileged students. However, financial challenges persist, with about a third of learners being exempted from school fees, including those living in the NSA hostel. Alarmingly, a quarter of parents have allegedly refused to pay school fees despite being able to do so, an issue the Ministry plans to examine closely with the school and the DBE.
The Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture also intends to engage with the school’s creditors to turn around its financial fortunes. The NSA is renowned for producing stellar alumni such as Charlize Theron, the 2014 Idols winner Vincent Bones, Lorna Maseko, Zoe Modiga, Dan Patlansky, Karen Zoid, Bianca le Grange, and many more.
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