06 May 2020
Minister Nathi Mthethwa held a
successful and productive meeting with national organisations of the arts and
culture sector to discuss the ongoing relief funding process aimed at
alleviating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the livelihood of creatives
and athletes. The Department invited national organisations and the federation
of the sector, which is CCIFSA, The Cultural and Creative Industry Federation
of South Africa. The national organisations invited were SAMIC - The South
African Music Industry Council, SASFED - The South African Screen Federation,
SAACYF - The South African Arts and Culture Youth Forum, SARA - The South
African Roadies Association, SWIFT- Sisters Working In Film and Television,
IBFC - The Independent Black Film Makers Collective and The Children’s
Foundation.
The major objective of the meeting
was to deal with the vast majority of applicants who did not succeed in
accessing relief funding due to non-compliance with the criteria set to qualify
for funding. Prior to the meeting, some stakeholders in the industry were
suggesting that we make a second call for applications. However, today the
meeting unanimously agreed that we should instead ensure that all those who had
applied initially, but were not recommended, are assisted to comply in order to
be eligible for relief funding.
It was further agreed that the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, together with CCIFSA, should interface with these national organisations in order to ensure that their constituent members are assisted with filling their forms and ensuring that their applications are in order.
It was further agreed that the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, together with CCIFSA, should interface with these national organisations in order to ensure that their constituent members are assisted with filling their forms and ensuring that their applications are in order.
The industry has made a number of
proposals, which are aimed at relaxing the criteria going forward and the fast
tracking of the process of adjudication, amongst others. The industry has also
offered to assist the Department in order to achieve this objective. All these
suggestions from the industry were wholly welcomed by the Department.
Media Enquiries:
Mr Mickey Modisane: Chief Director Marketing and Communications (Sport)
Tel: 082 992 0101 | Email: Mickey@srsa.gov.za
Ms Zimasa Velaphi: Chief Director Marketing and Communications (Arts and Culture)
Tel: 072 172 8925 | Email: ZimasaV@dac.gov.za
