This week, I had the privilege of attending the Parliament for Creatives hosted by the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature under the theme “An Empowered and Thriving Creative Industry.”
This important platform brought together creatives, policymakers, and key industry stakeholders to engage meaningfully on the challenges and opportunities facing the creative sector in our province.
The session addressed critical themes, including Youth Innovation and Digital Transformation in the Creative Economy, Building a Sustainable and Inclusive Creative Economy, and the powerful role of Art as a Catalyst for Community Development, Social Cohesion, and National Identity.
These discussions come at a crucial time. Later this year, the Eastern Cape will be honoured to host the G20 Games, a major international event that will place our province on the global stage. History has shown us, particularly during Brazil’s G20 tenure, that the creative industries often stand to benefit the most from these platforms if they are empowered to do so.
We must ensure that the same is true for our creatives, providing them not only with opportunities but with sustainable pathways to thrive.
Provincial government has made specific allocations to the creative sector through the 2025/26 Eastern Cape Provincial Budget, including R15 million in 2025/26 and R54 million over the MTEF to the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) for film development, along with an additional R15.6 million over the MTEF to the Eastern Cape Provincial Arts and Culture Council (ECPACC) for film skills development.
However, we must recognise that support cannot be limited to the film sector alone, our musicians, visual artists, performers, writers, designers, and other creatives also need real, sustained investment.
As the Democratic Alliance’s Shadow MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture in the Eastern Cape, I will ensure that the voices, ideas, and resolutions from this Parliament for Creatives are not left behind in the chamber.
It is our responsibility, as lawmakers, to translate these engagements into policy, budget priorities, and concrete action.
I will continue to champion the creative sector in the Legislature, pushing for an environment where creatives can build sustainable careers and contribute meaningfully to the economy of the place they call home rather than seeking opportunities outside the province.
We cannot lose sight of the significant role that our creative sector plays in fostering the social cohesion so desperately needed in the Eastern Cape.