South Africa’s Minister of Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa has confirmed that nearly 600 artists and creatives have benefited from the department’s R150m relief fund to assist artists, athletes and technical personnel during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Today, not only are we faced with the challenge of unifying Africa, but we are also faced with the challenge of beating Covid-19. There is no time more prudent than now to show solidarity to one another as Africans,” said Mthethwa.
He added that provincial arts and culture departments in all provinces had marshalled another R50m to relieve those without an income. With regards to administering the relief fund, Mthethwa said glitches in the early processing of applications had been smoothed out. He said that of the 1, 320 successful applications, 592 had been paid.
“Let me take this opportunity and applaud our sector for the discipline demonstrated since the commencement of the lockdown period. The 100% adherence to the lockdown regulations by ensuring that no sectoral activity takes place during this time, has indeed played a tremendous role in assisting with the reduction of the spread of Covid-19,” said Mthethwa.
