Minister McKenzie Steps Up to Safeguard National School of the Arts' Future

In a decisive move to prevent one of South Africa's premier institutions from financial collapse, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has pledged to support the National School of the Arts (NSA) as it grapples with severe monetary difficulties. The NSA, recently in the spotlight over looming bankruptcy, serves as a key educational establishment, offering specialized arts education to high school students and has nurtured notable talents who have gone on to shine on both local and international stages.

On a recent Saturday, alongside Deputy Minister Peace Mabe and officials from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC), Minister McKenzie attended a critical meeting at the NSA premises. The gravity of the situation was laid bare as it was disclosed that the institution was experiencing a dire cash flow crisis, with concerns about meeting staff salary payments by the end of August.

This specialized school, although operating under the Gauteng Department of Basic Education, has carved out a unique niche in South Africa's education and cultural landscape. Minister McKenzie has taken a proactive stance, agreeing to shoulder some of the school's immediate financial burdens while initiating discussions with the Department of Basic Education (DBE). The goal is to diligently review the school's business model and work towards establishing long-term independence and stability.

A significant resolution from the meeting was the recognition by both Minister Gayton McKenzie and the NSA Governing Body of the school's status as a vital national asset within the arts sector. They emphasized its importance in providing access to the arts for underprivileged students, underscoring the fact that nearly a third of the learners are on fee exemptions, which includes accommodations at the NSA hostel.

However, the NSA faces challenges beyond depleted coffers—it's confronting issues with fee collection, as about a quarter of families who are financially able to pay are refusing to do so. The ministry sees this as a pressing matter and will be scrutinizing the situation closely, in partnership with both the NSA and DBE.

In the interim, the ministry will proactively engage with the school’s creditors with the intention of restoring the NSA's financial health. The National School of the Arts has a storied history of producing distinguished alumni who have excelled in various creative fields. Stars like Charlize Theron, Vincent Bones, Lorna Maseko, Zoe Modiga, Dan Patlansky, Karen Zoid, and Bianca le Grange are among the many who have received their formative arts education at the NSA.

Minister McKenzie's intervention has thus been met with hope and relief by the school community and broader arts industry, as it promises not only to alleviate immediate financial woes but also to fortify the school for future generations of South African artists.