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Liliesleaf Farm media reports under fire

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The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has taken a “dim view” on allegations by the Liliesleaf Trust that the department had not provided the financial support needed to keep the historical site, Liliesleaf Farm, operational.

This after media reports that the site in Rivonia, Johannesburg, would be closing its doors indefinitely and that it had been buckling under financial pressure for some time.

From 1961 to 1963, Liliesleaf Farm acted as a hideout and hub for members of South Africa’s liberation movements, the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party (SACP).

It is also where the top brass of the ANC and the South African Communist Party (SACP) in South Africa were arrested in 1963 – culminating in the iconic Rivonia Treason Trial.

In a statement on Thursday, the department said it had been funding the historical site for more than a decade.

“The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) has funded Liliesleaf in the range of R70 million over a period of 13 years. For the 2020/21 financial year, an additional R1.8 million was budgeted for the trust. All this is being done against an understanding of the historical significance and contribution of Liliesleaf to the liberation of our country,” the statement read.

The department said that the heritage site’s independence from government means that it is not eligible to receive government funding to cover operational costs.

“Liliesleaf Trust is ineligible to receive yearly operational funds from DSAC since the site has not been designated as a Declared Cultural Institution under the Cultural Institutions Act and a Schedule 3 A Public Entity under the PFMA [Public Finance Management Act]. Numerous suggestions in this regard by government have not been found favourable by the [Liliesleaf] Trust. However, they refused to be declared, preferring to remain independent and self-sufficient.”

Memorandum of Agreement

The department said in 2015, it had engaged in a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Liliesleaf Trust for the upgrade and enhancement of the site’s exhibition infrastructure to the tune of at least R9 million.

At least R8.1 million of this funding was transferred to the Liliesleaf Trust, however, a final tranche of R900 000 was held back.

“The remaining R900 000 could not be honoured due to failure of the Liliesleaf Trust to account on the initial payment…an obligation spelt out in the MOA between DSAC and the Liliesleaf Trust. In terms of the PFMA Section 38, government cannot continue funding an institution that fails to account for public funds that it receives from government,” the statement said.

In May this year, the department “escalated the failure of the CEO to report and account to report and account for the R8.1 million to the Liliesleaf board lead by Former President Kgalema Motlanthe”.

“The board committed to do a forensic investigation into the matter and report back to DSAC. The department is awaiting feedback from the board in this regard,” said the department. – SAnews.gov.za

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.