Pretoria – South African Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has dissolved the Council of the National Arts Council of South Africa with immediate effect, citing the body’s failure to resolve a long-running labour dispute over performance bonuses and raising concerns about questionable spending during a period of financial strain.
The dissolution, effected on Tuesday under section 5(5) of the National Arts Council Act 56 of 1997, follows a protected strike by NAC employees over unpaid performance bonuses for the financial years 2019/20, 2020/21 and 2021/22, a dispute that has dragged on and pushed affected staff into ongoing financial distress.
On 22 April 2026, McKenzie wrote formally to the Chairperson of the Council, calling for an urgent special meeting to approve a once-off, full and final settlement of the dispute and laying out a detailed governance framework for doing so. No settlement was reached.
McKenzie did not mince his words.
“The National Arts Council exists to serve the arts sector and the people of South Africa. It cannot fulfil that mandate while its governance is consumed by a dispute of this nature. I gave the Council ample opportunity and a clear framework to resolve this matter. That opportunity was not taken. I have therefore exercised my authority under the Act and dissolved the Council with immediate effect,” he said.
Beyond the bonus dispute, McKenzie said he had been made aware of procurement decisions at the NAC that were difficult to square with the institution’s claims of financial hardship, including spending on external recruitment fees and on mobile devices for Council members. He has directed the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture to conduct a thorough review of those matters, and said any findings of financial misconduct or irregular expenditure would be referred to the appropriate authorities.
All current NAC Council members cease to hold office with immediate effect. The acting Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer will continue running day-to-day operations and will report directly to the department while a new Council is being appointed. The Director-General of the department will, in consultation with the Minister’s office, determine the designation and functions of the Accounting Authority in the interim, in line with the NAC Act and the Public Finance Management Act.
McKenzie said the appointment of a new Council would begin without delay.
“The appointment of a new Council will proceed without delay and in strict accordance with the law. My priority is to ensure that the NAC has stable, capable governance in place as soon as possible, and that its work in support of South Africa’s artists and arts organisations continues without interruption,” he said.
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