The Department of Arts and Culture deals with matters pertaining to arts and culture, develops the economic potential in cultural industries, alleviates poverty through job creation, takes part in the strategy to brand South Africa as a sought-after tourism destination, and renders State archive and heraldic services at national level.
Since the turn of the century, the budget for the Department of Arts and Culture has seen an annual growth rate of 18,3%. Institutions are seen as key partners in unlocking creativity and implementing arts policy.
The Sad Farewell by KwaZulu-Natal artist, S'fiso ka Mkame. The Department of Arts and Culture supports a number of projects to promote the visual arts.
the allocation for the 2004/05 financial year is R45 million, and in the 2005/06 financial year, the budget is expected to be R60 million.
The Department is responsible for 27 public entities including museums, art galleries, the National Zoological Gardens, the National Archives and the six playhouses.
C.J. Langenhoven in May 1918. The music was composed by the Rev. M.L. de Villiers in 1921. Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika was composed in 1897 by Enoch Sontonga, a Methodist mission school teacher.
Seven additional stanzas in isiXhosa were later added by the poet Samuel Mqhayi. It became a popular church hymn that was later adopted as an anthem at political meetings. It has been translated into most of South Africa's official languages.
The national flag of the Republic of South Africa was brought into use on Freedom Day, 27 April 1994. The design and colours are a synopsis of the principal elements of the country's flag history.
South Africa's coat of arms was launched on Freedom Day, 27 April 2000.
A central image of the coat of arms is the well-known secretary bird with its uplifted wings. Above the bird is the rising sun, a force that gives life while representing the flight of darkness and the triumph of discovery, knowledge and understanding of things that have been hidden, and illuminating the new life that is coming into being. Below the bird is the protea, an indigenous flower of South Africa, which represents beauty, the aesthetic harmony of all its cultures, and South Africa flowering as a nation. The ears of wheat are emblems of the fertility of the land, while the tusks of the African elephant, reproduced in pairs to represent men and women, symbolise wisdom, steadfastness and strength.
Contained within the shield are some of the earliest representations of humanity in the world. Those depicted were the very first inhabitants of the land, namely the Khoisan people. These figures are derived from images on the Linton Stone, a world-famous example of South African rock art. The motto of the coat of arms, !Ke e:/xarra//ke, written in the Khoisan language of the /Xam people, means 'diverse people unite' or 'people who are different joining together'.
The new national orders were unveiled by President Thabo Mbeki on 27 April 2002, at the Freedom Day celebrations in Bloemfontein, Free State. These national orders are the highest awards that the country can bestow on individual South Africans and eminent foreign leaders and personalities.
The Order of Mapungubwe is awarded to South African citizens for excellence and exceptional achievement. It reflects the ancient Kingdom of Mapungubwe, which existed in the northern corner of South Africa a millennium ago.
The Order of the Baobab is awarded to South African citizens for distinguished service of above and beyond the ordinary call of duty.
The Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo is awarded to Heads of State and other personalities for promoting peace, co-operation and friendship towards South Africa.
In September 2003, the Cabinet approved a set of additional national orders. The new orders will honour individuals who have rendered distinguished service for democracy and human rights (Order of Luthuli); those who have shown outstanding bravery in the face of great danger (Mendi Decoration for Bravery); and for excellence in the fields of arts, culture, literature, music, journalism and/or sport (Order of Ikhamanga).
National tree: real yellowwood.
The National Heritage Council Act, 1999 (Act 11 of 1999), established a framework and institution that co-ordinate the heritage sector, including archives, museums, heritage resources, geographical names and libraries.
The Council was expected to be established during the 2003/04 financial year.
The SAGNC is an advisory body appointed by the Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology in terms of the South African Geographical Names Council Act, 1998 (Act 118 of 1998). The Council advises the Minister on the transformation and standardisation of official geographical names in South Africa.
The Council has jurisdiction over all names of geographical features and entities falling within the territories over which the South African Government has sovereignty or jurisdiction acquired by treaty.