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Process to release relief fund for FS Artists at advance stage

Bongani Tshabalala

BLOEMFONTEIN -Sport Arts, Culture and Recreation MEC Limakatso Mahasa says the progress of appointing a committee which will adjudicate over applications for relief fund from 28 athletes and 1098 artists is at an advance stage.

“The information regarding the application for the relief  fund was made available through municipalities offices, advertisements in media platforms as well as the department ‘s website and social media platforms”

MEC Mahasha

Mahasa said the adjudication process will be guided by criteria and guidelines as provided by national department of Sports, Arts Culture and recreation.

MEC Limakatso Mahasa

MEC

Sport Arts, Culture and Recreation

“As a department we are happy with the progress we are making towards the goal of providing relief to our athletes and artists whose income has been affected by covid -19.

“The applications were received before the deadline of May 20,2020. The applications form and guidelines for submission of applications forms and guidelines were made available to all interested and qualifying individuals and groups through various platforms across the province.

All practicing artists in the Free State who might be faced with socio-economic difficulties due to lockdown as a result of covid-19 pandemic and met the criteria and guidelines stipulated by national department will be funded,” Mahasa noted.

She said in order to ensure that the information reach to the target group the department used various platforms to disseminate information.

“The information regarding the application for the relief  fund was made available through municipalities offices, advertisements in media platforms as well as the department ‘s website and social media platforms,” she added

Meanwhile Mahasa also disclosed that there will also some grocery vouchers worth R600 provided   to the affected artists.

“our immediate intervention to all artists through grocery vouchers is geared towards ensuring that we leave no one behind during this difficult time,” concluded Mahasa.