By Zuko Komisa
A R30 million proposal to establish a National Philharmonic Orchestra is said to have been launched by the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture (DSAC) and will reportedly be announced soon.
Parliamentarians and the music business have expressed concerns, particularly in light of the recent R22 million flag project, which sparked public uproar in May.
Mthethwa had started the project in an effort to promote social cohesion and national pride.
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According to CEO of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra John Maytham, who spoke to EWN, there are already programs that provide instruction for aspiring musicians, making the project redundant.
He claimed that the NPO was unnecessary for South Africans and that the nation could not afford to support it he added that It would be a complete financial waste.
Listen to the Department’s response on Point of View with Phemelo Motene here:
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The Daily Maverick was also reportedly informed by the artistic directors of the Brooklyn Theatre, Gauteng Philharmonic, and Eastern Cape Philharmonic, Willem Vogel and Erik Albertyn, that the idea of a national orchestra would not be feasible.
The concept, according to Albertyn, is unfeasible and would be useless with just one orchestra. Vogel claimed that individual orchestras might use the funds considerably more effectively.
South Africans have reacted to the proposal on social media.
The audacity of Nathi Mthethwa trying to sneak through a R30 million Ad Hoc new “national philharmonic orchestra”.
— das kapital (@iamDasKapital) July 11, 2022
After that R22 million flag of his got shitcanned???
@PresidencyZA @CyrilRamaphosa #NathiMthetwa is at it again! Trying tricks in the name of a R30million symphony orchestra. Please reign him in or cut his budget! He is too desperate for money that one; we see him!
— Anzo (@Anzo26) July 12, 2022
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