By: Monelisi Sigabi
Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture MEC Fezeka Bayeni launched a Provincial Relief Fund for Arts, Culture and Sports sectors at the Guild Theatre in East London today.
This comes after MEC Bayeni tabled a virtual Budget and Policy Speech for the 2020/21 financial year at the Virtual House Sitting in the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature on the 26 May 2020.
According to Bayeni Cultural Affairs, Sports, Libraries and Museums were amongst the department priorities.
“Cultural affairs may continue with commemorating important days but doing so in virtual platforms,” said Bayeni.
All public gatherings will still be prohibited under alert level 3 however plans are in place to assist those in Sports and people that use Libraries and Museums.
“Virtual Museums and reading material will be made available online. Though events and public gatherings regulations remain unchanged under level 3, the department will provide sports clubs with equipment to ensure that athletes remain fit and ready to restart sporting activities after the lockdown,” said Bayeni.
Giving insight on the Provincial Relief Fund, Bayeni explained that Minister of Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa availed R150m relief fund and called for submissions of proposals by artists affected by nationwide lockdown.
“We received R15m in the province to help artists and sports sectors during this time of difficulty. The fund is not to fully subsidize athletes and artists but to help put food on the table because we have all been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak,” added Bayeni.
People who can apply for the relief fund includes;
· Sports and recreation funded events.
· Sports federation, structure and recreation entities.
· Coaches and technical support personnel working with athletes.
· Athletes that are currently licensed by a regulating body and could not be active during the nationwide lockdown.
· Individuals artists, creatives and creative related organizations/cooperatives institutions including creative freelancers.
· Special relief for living legends.
· Projects that demonstrate involvement with disadvantaged individuals; women, youth and people with disabilities.
“Preference will also be given to applicants from rural areas and the duration of the project is limited to this financial year and will not be available in the next financial year,” said Bayeni.
Micro assistance amounting to the maximum of R10 000 will be paid to individual artists or arts organisations that require help with small supplies like material, services and equipment.
For the payment of small and large grants, organisations must have been operating between 0 – 2 years. Small grants are to a maximum value of R50 000 and Large grants are to a maximum of R200 000, per annum.
“Further information is available on the Departmental website www.ecsrac.gov.za and applications should be emailed to COVIDApplications@ecsrac.gov.za. The deadline for applications is 12 June 2020 at 16H00,” said Bayeni.