MBOMBELA – Sports and entertainment are, according to the Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation, some of the hardest hit sectors by the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Covid-19: The number of confirmed cases in Mpumalanga as of May 24

“The department, working with the 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 in mitigating the economic impact of the virus,” explained the spokesperson for the department, Sibongile Nkosi.

According to Nkosi, the fund will offer financial support to athletes, coaches, technical personnel working in the sports and recreation industries, federations, recreational entities, sports and recreational practitioners, artists, crafters, visual and performing artists, sculptor, drama and cultural groups, poets and fashion designers,”she said.

The closing date for applications is Friday June 5 at 16:15.

Applications are available from the departmental website, https://dcsr.mpg.gov.za. The sports and recreation industries must direct applications to officialdcsr@gmail.com, while the creative industry must direct applications to the municipal district under which it falls (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.