Political vs administrative decision-making: an examination of the arm’s length approach in cultural institutions, the NFVF (National Film and Video Foundation) as a case study
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Date
2020
Authors
Maja, Shane Phure
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Abstract
The study examined the governance of publicly funded cultural institutions (PFCI) herein referred to as cultural institutions supported by the government. Cultural institutions have been a subject of debates and investigations of forensic reports commissioned in the last quarter of the century. The researcher considered claims about political interference, mismanagement, maladministration and corruption as having influenced unintended consequences. The application of the arm’s length principle serves as an instrument means to support of the arts against political interference. The study used a qualitative approach to examine the application of models of governance and principles that ensures autonomy using a case study. A purposive sampling technique was used, targeting experienced actors of cultural institutions funded by the government to examine the effectiveness of the ministerial handbook and the powers of the accounting officer. Having answered my central questions, I argue that models and principles of governance which was meant to guarantee the autonomy of these institutions to be independent statutory bodies were intentionally seized for political expediency against the very ideals of autonomy. Additionally, I argue that the appointment of council members, the council chairperson and the accounting officer are the results of political interference to the detriment of what was envisaged in the ACTAG report of 1995. Thus, the dilemmas between the politically appointed council and administrators of the cultural institutions funded by the government could be avoided with adherence to the application of the arm’s length principle. South African literature on the cultural policy is yet to benefit from studies such as this one, on the application of the arm’s length principle and the dilemmas between the political and administrative of decisions. Although the study extensively describes the details of the case study, hitherto, a limitation is undeniable. Cognisant of the fact that the NFVF is not the only cultural institution in operation to model, poses a limitation on generalisability of the findings of the study. There is a need for a comprehensive study that may even utilises mixed methods for extensive analysis of cultural institutions funded by the government.
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A research report submitted to the University of the Witwatersrand in partial fulfilment of requirements of the degree of Master of Arts by Coursework Degree in the field of Cultural Policy and Management, 2020