Second phase of arts and sports relief fund to target Gauteng locals

This comes as the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation has relooked applications to get its sectors up and running again, said departmental spokesperson Nomazwe Ntlokwana.

Ntlokwana said “the department is once more reopening the window of opportunity, targeting individuals to apply for the sector relief fund”.

“This second phase is earmarked for individuals running programmes within the sectors of sport, recreation, culture and creative industries, also targeting those at local and community level.” Ntlokwana said only the Gauteng-based individuals, with projects that were implemented within the province, could apply on or before the closing date on 30 October 2020.

She said sports and the arts had been some of the most affected by lockdown restrictions, hence the department wanting to scale-up its intervention efforts, especially for those with limited or no assistance.

The Gauteng MEC for sport, arts, culture and recreation Mbali Hlophe said, “We have previously received applications but unfortunately a lot of people couldn’t apply because of lockdown regulations which restricted their movements. “Now that we are on level 1, we believe a lot of people will have a chance to apply and not only those with access to resources including online platforms as it were.”

Hlope said her department wanted their efforts to reach individuals and programmes in need “wherein many instances there are limited facilities”.

“Many of these will be faced with challenges of the new normal following the Covid-19 regulations. We want as many people as possible to apply so that we can begin to resuscitate the sectors including our structures,” She said. The fund applications are managed and finalised in consultation with the Gauteng sport confederation; relevant sport federations; the recreation industry and the Gauteng Arts and Culture council based on the set criteria.

The following may apply:

• Sport: athletes, coaches, fitness industry, recreational sector, technical support services, event managers and coordinators, sport and recreational administrators including at informal level.
• Arts and Culture: performing artists like musicians, visual artists, crafters/jewellery designers, fashion designers, art administrators/practitioners, technical support services, event managers and coordinators, individuals in the film and TV industry including at informal level.

Application forms can be found on: www.gauteng.gov.za or SACR.Communications@gauteng.gov.za (link sends e-mail) and can be submitted either online or via email on sacrrelieffund@gauteng.gov.za.

Or people can physically get a form at 35 Rissik Street, Surrey House building; Corner Fox Street, JHB and also at the corridor offices across the province.