Second wave of relief fund applications 'to be advertised' - Deputy Minister Nocawe Mafu

The department of Sports, Arts and Culture has set aside R77 million for the second phase of their Covid-19 relief fund for artists and athletes. Of that amount, R11 million is being ring-fenced for contribution towards the partnership with the Department of Small Business Development.

The time frame for applications is yet to be established, said deputy minister Nocawe Mafu.

"The second wave of applications for [the] relief fund will be advertised. Practitioners will be given two weeks from date of advertisement to apply as communicated," she said during a media briefing in Pretoria on Monday.

To date, R61 million has been disbursed to beneficiaries. The department received 5 322 applications in the categories of sport, digital, as well as arts, culture and heritage.

Through the adjudication and appeals processes 4 602 applications were recommended.

The partnership with the Department of Small Business Development to jointly set aside R22 million was explained by Minister Nathi Mthethwa as "a response to a plea from the Cultural & Creative Industries Federation of South Africa (CCIFSA) for the Craft, Design and Visual Arts sectors towards relief amid the Covid-19 pandemic."

A Memorandum of Agreement will be entered into on how the funds will be administered, he said.

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