Gauteng Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee on Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, led by the Chairperson Honourable William Matsheke would like to appreciate the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation that is led by MEC Mbali Hlophe for availing Relief Funding to qualifying sectors within the department that have been affected by COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has had dire consequences to the sectors and a lot of federations, organizations and individuals have been heavily affected. The Relief funding which is available for events that were scheduled during the time the President declared the Country to be under lockdown up until June 2020 will go a long way in assisting the sectors.

The Committee therefore would like to join the Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation in calling upon the sectors in Sport namely, Provincial athletes, inter-Provincial events, coaches, fitness industry, recreational sector organizations, Events Managers and Sports Confederations as well as Arts and Culture sectors namely performing artists, musicians, visual artists, crafters/jewelry designers, Fashion designers and cast and crew in the film and TV industry amongst others to apply for the Relief Funding. We further want to request that only those that are in need of the Relief funding to apply. As the Committee we are well aware that much as the department would like to assist everyone, budget allocated for this will never be sufficient to cater for everyone and the department has confirmed that only those that meet the criteria will be considered for assistance. The application forms are available on the Departmental website at www.gauteng.gov.za.

The Committee further wishes all young people in Gauteng and South Africa a celebratory Youth Month and Youth Day on the 16th of June 2020 even though under difficult circumstances and calls upon the Youth of Gauteng to remember the heroes and heroines of 1976 by continuing to adhere to the lockdown regulations under level 3 and avoid abusing alcohol and drugs as these leads to behavioral changes amongst the youth.

ISSUED BY GPL’S MEDIA SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON SPORT, RECREATION, ARTS AND CULTURE HON. MEMBER WILLIAM MATHAFENG MATSHEKE.

For enquiries please contact Mr. Aubrey Dikola 011 498 6321 or 079 500 9256; e-mail: Adikola@gpl.gov.za