Media Statement: For immediate release 26 March 2026
The National Arts Council of South Africa (NAC) wishes to update all stakeholders and the broader arts and culture sector on the state of operations since the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) embarked on a picket at the NAC’s offices on Wednesday, 18 March 2026.
The NAC can confirm that all critical operations have continued without interruption, and the Council remains functional in the fulfilment of its public mandate.
Payments to Beneficiaries Processed on Schedule
The NAC is pleased to confirm that the entity has continued to review project reports and process payments to beneficiaries efficiently. Since the commencement of the picket on the 18 March 2026, payments to all compliant beneficiaries were successfully processed on 20 March 2026 and 25 March 2026, with two additional batches scheduled for 26 March 2026 (Thursday) and 27 March 2026 (Friday). This confirms that the contingency measures put in place prior to the commencement of the picket continue to be effective and are not negatively impacting the arts sector.
The NAC reaffirms that these processes will continue uninterrupted to ensure that the arts sector is serviced in accordance with the Council’s statutory mandate to support, promote, and develop the arts in South Africa.
Trespass Incident Swiftly Managed
The NAC is also aware of an incident in which two individuals unlawfully trespassed on the NAC’s premises and attempted to stage a sit-in after hours within the building. The situation was swiftly de-escalated and managed, and the individuals concerned vacated the premises without further incident.
The NAC wishes to state unequivocally that it will always act to protect the safety and security of its staff and the integrity of its premises. The right to picket is recognised and respected; however, it does not extend to unlawful entry or any conduct that constitutes trespassing. The NAC will not permit the picket to be used as a pretext for disregarding the rule of law and will pursue all available legal remedies where necessary to protect its staff, operations, and assets.
Commitment to Constructive Engagement
The NAC Council remains committed to open, transparent, and good-faith engagement with the union. We believe that a negotiated resolution, arrived at through mutual respect and dialogue, is in the best interests of our staff, our mandate, and the communities we serve. To this end, the NAC has continued to engage the union through the appropriate labour relations forums and mechanisms.
Engagement with the Sector Following Resolution
The NAC looks forward to convening a formal engagement with the sector once the current labour dispute has been concluded. This engagement will provide stakeholders with a comprehensive overview of the NAC’s strategic direction following a recently concluded strategy workshop, during which a transformative plan for the arts sector was developed. Full details of the plan and the NAC’s vision for the sector’s future will be shared at that time.
Steadfast Commitment to the Arts Sector
The NAC remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring operational continuity and delivering on its obligations to the sector at large. The Council’s work will not be disrupted, and all funding, programme, and governance commitments will be honoured in accordance with the NAC’s public mandate.
The NAC is pleased to have been provided with an opportunity to present to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture, where the Council will elaborate further on matters related to the union picket.
Enquiries:
Media: media@nac.org.za
Issued by the National Arts Council of South Africa
-Ends-
