The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) has provided much-needed support to over 2 000 practitioners in the creative industry through the R150-million relief fund. The main aim of the fund is to assist artists, athletes, technical personnel and the core ecosystem of the sector, whose gigs were cancelled due to the COVID-19 induced shutdown.
“We remain resolute in improving the quality of life for South Africans, in spite of the huge socio-economic impediments brought on by the restrictions of COVID-19. We know that as a department, ours is to save the lives of our sector’s practitioners so that they can utilize their skills to better their lives and those of our communities,” said the department said.
Author and musician, Loyiso Lindani,is one of the beneficiaries of the relief fund who signed a purchase order for her books, thanks to the money from the department. How HIV Saved My Life written by Lindani, is listed on the South African Publisher’s Network and on National Library of South Africa, where she obtained an International Standard Book Number. “I want to thank the DSAC, the funds assisted in paying that off,” said Lindani.
In line with the National Development Plan’s 2030 vision, the department said it intends to build a cohesive society in which everyone has access to sport, arts and culture resources, facilities and opportunities. The department is also considering a second application process.
“We are empathetic to the impact of our lengthy processes. Laborious as this exercise was to our sector, the principles of empathy, responsiveness and agility became the cornerstone of our measurement framework of engaging the sector as we move forward,” concluded DSAC.
