NAC scandal explodes: R9.2 million to crush staff, zero for bonuses, artists join the strike as parliament sounds alarm
"We cannot afford another day”: Parliament steps in on NAC strike Day 6 as artists show massive support
Day 6 of the historic National Arts Council (NAC) staff strike. (Image: Facebook)
The National Arts Council (NAC) has entered day 6 of unprecedented industrial action, with the standoff reaching a fever pitch as Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture prepares for an emergency intervention.
What began as a dispute over unpaid performance bonuses has transformed into a national outcry over alleged systemic mismanagement, "cartel-like" governance, and a staggering R14.7 million legal bill used to fight the entity’s own employees.
Parliament steps in
On Sunday, 22 March 2026, Portfolio Committee Chairperson, Joe McGluwa issued a stern directive, announcing that he will engage committee members on Tuesday, 24 March, to resolve the crisis. McGluwa warned that the prolonged silence from NAC management is no longer tenable. He said that the disruption threatens the very artists the entity is mandated to protect.
McGluwa emphasized that many poor artists have no alternative income when the NAC fails to function. He signaled that the committee would seek to understand why management has avoided direct engagement with striking staff
The statement reads:
“This is the last government entity that should experience disruptions. We cannot allow prolonged silence or avoidance when the functioning of a national entity is at stake.”
Employees locked Out on Day 6.
Despite the looming parliamentary scrutiny, the atmosphere at the NAC’s Newtown headquarters turned hostile this morning (Monday, 23 March). Shop steward Damien Naidu alleged that a lockout tactic was attempted by the NAC.
“I got to the office at 07:58; the gate was locked,” Naidu told Public Dispatch.
He described a confusing exchange where security guards claimed ignorance of the office hours while restricting access to the building. This move follows a week of management's refusal to engage, a silence that workers say exemplifies the "arrogance and nonchalance" of the current leadership.
The R14.7 million: "Tip of an iceberg"
The roots of this strike trace back to 2019, centering on performance bonuses for the 2019, 2020, and 2021 financial years that were allegedly approved.
In a recent interview with Lerato Mvelase on Power FM, Naidu revealed the staggering financial irony of the situation. While the NAC refuses to pay just over R1 million in staff bonuses, the NAC has spent about R14.7 million on legal fees in five years , (from 2021 to July 2025).
"R9.2 million of that R14.7 million was dedicated solely to fighting NAC staff members. This expenditure occured while management told us that bonuses could not be paid because the organization was in tatters," said Naidu.
During that interview, Mvelase explained that her efforts to reach out to the NAC Chairperson Eugene Botha and Deputy Chair Princess Celenhle Dlamini were proven futile, as they repeatedly failed to avail themselves for response.
Allegations of "Cartel" Governance
The staff painted a picture of an institution in deep decay. They cited the tenure of former acting CEO Julie Diphofa as a period that ruined the institution, alleging a toxic culture where management ignored grievances and dared employees to strike.
The most damning allegation remains the relationship between the Board and operations.
“The Council, which is supposed to provide oversight, is actually interfering with operations.The management of the entity cannot make any decision without consulting the Council. It’s like a cartel. Things are happening and they are getting squashed,” Naidu explained.
Artists join the frontline
In a significant development on Day 6, the picket line has swelled as artists and cultural practitioners have joined the NAC workers in numbers. They have realized that the administrative paralysis at the NAC directly affects their livelihoods, especially regarding the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PESP) and annual funding calls. They have stopped being observers and become active participants in the strike.
This solidarity has been met with a wall of silence from leadership.
The Ministry's one year wait
Frustration has been compounded by a perceived lack of urgency from the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton Mckenzie. Workers alleged that they reached out to his office, only to be told the Minister’s calendar is booked for one year in advance. When staff explained the urgency of the strike and the potential collapse of arts funding, they received no further response.
As the Portfolio Committee prepares to meet tomorrow, the NAC stands at a crossroads. With Parliament now threatening to provide support and direction if operations are not stabilized, the "cartel" may soon find itself answering for millions in legal fees while the artists they serve remain in the cold.