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Members of the press, good morning and welcome to this briefing on the work of my Ministry and the Department of Arts, Culture, Science & Technology (DACST).

DACST is a key player among government departments, particularly from the perspective of adding "knowledge value". Its position in three clusters (namely, the Economic Sector, the Internati0onal Relations Sector and the Social Sector) bares testimony to this. The Significant increases in our budget since 1994 also reflect our role in serving the nation while taking the sectors in our portfolio back into the international arena in a globally competitive manner.

DACST's history has unfolded with that of the first fairly elected government of South Africa's. Established in 1994, following the first democratic election, DACST has evolved through the creation of internal systems and structures, the fostering of a corporate identity and the focusing of our energies on the transformation of the sectors in our portfolio. We hope to take our work further in line with the new vision for government.

DACST has constructively engaged with the challenges of creating, restructuring and transforming institutions, legislation and government structures and implementing a range of government policies and programmes. As some of you are no doubt aware, our work in the last five years included:-

* The submission of seventeen pieces of legislation
* The re-prioritisation of expenditure with regard to our institutions
* The establishment of a new finance and reporting system for science councils
* The introduction of multiple new programmes
* The construction of approximately forty-one community centres
* The transformation and revitalisation of the role and image of the science and technology sectors for the general public
* The strengthening and support of the arts, culture and heritage sectors through providing coherency and structure
* The allocation of R55, 891 million to new initiatives in arts and culture
* The establishment of approximately fourteen new institutions
* The funding of approximately twenty-one (21) museums and art galleries
* The signing of twenty-three (23) international science and technology bi-lateral agreements
* The signing of twenty (20) cultural and arts-related bi-lateral agreements
* Actively taken culture and science back into the global economic arena
* Participation in international forums such as the Non-Aligned Movement and the USA-SA Bi-National Commission
* The showcasing of South African culture and talent on an international level at major events such as Expo-Lisbon 98, the Smithsonian Folk Life Festival, the XII Non-aligned Movement Summit and others
* The review and transformation of twelve (12) Science, Engineering and Technology Institutions
* The establishment of language as a vital component of nation-building and promoted multi-lingualism
* Increasing the efficiency and service delivery of the country's National Archives
* The funding of hundreds of projects ranging from micro-initiatives to projects of national and international importance
* The development of a new arts council, the National Arts Council, to a funding level of R25 million
* The funding of 261 film projects
* The introduction of a new Innovation Fund

As I mentioned in my budget speech earlier this year, it is my belief that strong institutions form the cornerstone of successful democracy. Thus it is important to note the Department's work in establishing relevant and representative institutions. New institutions include:- the Pan South African Language Board (PANSALB), the National Research Foundation (NRF), the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI), the National Arts Council (NAC), the National Archives Commission, the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), the National Heritage Council (NHC), the National Heritage Resources Agency (NHRC) and the National Geographical Names Council. These institutions should ensure that the sectors are well served and maintained for a long time to come.

Members of the press, I trust that you will recognise the importance of the sciences, the arts, language and associated creative disciplines in nurturing innovation and strengthening our nationhood on multiple levels. Economically and socially, with an eye on the future and an informed understanding of the past, I trust that you will see the integral role that my Ministry and the Department have to play in building South Africa.

Thank you

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