Central SA
North West opposition party calls for Mmabana foundation dissolution─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 06:00 Wed, 23 Jul 2025
An opposition party in the North West Provincial Legislature has called for the dissolution of the Mmabana Foundation, citing persistent governance issues, misallocation of funds, and a lack of progress.
During the departmental budget vote for Sports, Arts, and Culture delivered on Tuesday (22/7), DA Member of the Provincial Legislature, Christian Steyl, criticised the allocation of over R130 million to the Mmabana Foundation.
Steyl argued that these funds could be more effectively used to uplift and support struggling artists, athletes, and cultural initiatives across the province. “Mmabana will receive just above R130 million in this financial year, money that should be earmarked for the development of artists, athletes, and advancing the diverse heritage and culture of our province,” Steyl said.
“Instead, Mmabana will consume almost 90% of its entire annual budget for the payment of salaries for its officials, failing to meet the responsibilities their roles require.”
Steyl went on to allege that nearly 70% of the foundation’s budget is spent solely on salaries, with minimal tangible outcomes in the fields of arts, culture, or sport. He described the entity as existing merely to “pay lip service” rather than actively fulfilling its developmental mandate.
He also questioned the effectiveness of the foundation’s turnaround strategy, which had previously been presented to the portfolio committee. Despite these assurances, Steyl noted that Mmabana still lacks a permanent CEO and is run entirely by acting officials.
“This environment grows a culture of toxicity and impunity, especially considering the persistent standoff between the acting management of Mmabana and the board,” he said.
“In all fairness, considering the dilapidated state Mmabana finds itself in and as part of the government budget and programme nationalization process, honorable Premier, this foundation should be dissolved.”
Steyl used his address to draw attention to broader concerns within the department, including inadequate investment in sports infrastructure and delays in the construction of libraries. He lamented that there is no financial muscle to develop new sports facilities and infrastructure in the province, and added that some libraries are being run by “unqualified staff.”
