Research commissioned by the Free State Treasury to look at the success of the controversial multimillion rand Macufe festival found that it is money well spent.
This is according to Itumeleng Moses from the Provincial Treasury. He said every year there is an outcry about the provincial government’s spending on this flagship programme.
Macufe was launched in 1997 by the provincial government to promote arts and culture in the Free State and has since grown to annual event that secures top local and international artists.
Meanwhile government spending has been growing to more than R40 million for the festival. Moses says besides the benefits for the arts and culture industry, the hospitality industry in the province are benefiting.
“We are quite excited about what the research has revealed. Yes, as government we are spending about R45 million on Macufe. Direct revenue from the festival is about R7 million, but the spill-over effect of the festival shows that Mangaung has benefited to the tune of R91 million,” he said.
Cathy Dlodlo/Courant News
