Economic relief for athletes, artists hit by Covid-19 pandemic
28 May 2020
MBOMBELA – People in the arts, culture and sport sectors are invited to apply for a Covid-19 Relief Fund.
"Sport and entertainment are one of the hardest hit sectors by the Covid-19 pandemic and the department - working with National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and Creative Industries Federation of Mpumalanga (CIFMP) and Mpumalanga Sports Confederation – has set up the Covid-19 Relief Fund to assist artists and athletes mitigate the economic impact of the virus," explains spokesperson for the department, Sibongile Nkosi.
According to Nkosi, the Covid-19 Relief Fund will offer financial support to athletes, coaches, technical personnel working in sport and recreation industry, federations, recreational entities, sport and recreational practitioners, artists, crafters, visual and performing artists, sculptures, drama and cultural groups, poets and fashion designers. The closing date for applications is Friday, June 5 at 16:15.
Applications are available from the departmental website, http://dcsr.mpg.gov.za. The sport and recreation industry must be directed applications to officialdcsr@gmail.com, while creative industry must direct applications to the municipal district they fall under (Ehlanzeni) Ehlanzeni@mpcreativerelief.co.za, (Nkangala) Nkangala@mpcreativerelief.co.za and (Gert Sibande) Gertsibande@mpcreativerelief.co.za. The creative industry can also submit online applications at www.mpcreativerelief.co.za or hand-deliver them at the following NYDA offices:
Ehlanzeni, Shop 7 and 8, Imbizo Place, Samora Machel Drive, Mbombela 1200 Nkangala: 24 Smuts Avenue, Emalahleni 1035 Gert Sibande: Kiewit Office Park, Block 1 Door No. 3, Cnr Kiewit and Walter Sisulu, Secunda 2302 Bushbuckridge: Thulamahashe Main Road, Old Bohlabela Road, Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, 1365.
"The department is using savings from projects and programmes in the first quarter that were cancelled as a result of Covid–19 to provide relief to the provincial creative, sport and recreation industries," concludes Nkosi.