Who is eligible to benefit from the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture?
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has published a list of artists and athletes who received support during the Covid-19 pandemic
Who received support during Covid-19? Department of Sport, Arts and Culture releases a list of artists and athletes.
The department released the list on Wednesday as newly-appointed minister Gayton McKenzie had promised.
WHO BENEFITS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF SPORT, ARTS AND CULTURE?
As previously reported, over the years, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has become synonymous with benefitting a select few artists and creatives.
In 2022, actress Natasha Thahane raised eyebrows when she revealed that she received R1 million in funding to study in the USA.
On an episode of Podcast And Chill, the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s granddaughter said that former speaker of the National Assembly Baleka Mbete assisted her.
In 2021, former SABC sports commentator Owen Ndlovu benefitted from the department’s entrepreneurial initiative, the Mzansi Golden Economy. The department reportedly paid R2 million to Away From Here Trading to monitor musicians’ royalties based on radio airplay. However, the company allegedly failed to deliver and adequately report how it spent the funds.
On Wednesday, the department released the list of its beneficiaries from 2020 – 2021.
Actress Zikhona Sodlaka, athlete Akani Simbine, filmmaker and photographer Adriaan Louw, artists Arno Carstens and Kelly Khumalo are among some of the beneficiaries.
You can view the full list of beneficiaries here.
MAKHADZI CLARIFIES PAYMENT FROM DSAC
Meanwhile, award-winning artist Makhadzi has clarified the R230 000 payment she reportedly received from the department.
Makhadzi revealed that she went to loan sharks in order to get money to travel to the BET Awards that were held in Los Angeles, California recently. The Ghanama hitmaker won the Best New International Act award.
The department of Sport, Arts and Culture said it paid Makhadzi R230 000 in the last 14 months as she was booked to perform in various events. However, Makhadzi said she has never received or applied for any funding in the period mentioned by the department.
“The statement from the department is creating a lot of confusion and seeks to give an impression that Makhadzi is one of the recipients,” Makhadzi Entertainment said.