The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, has set up a Ministerial
Advisory Team (MAT) for the creative and cultural sector who will advise the Minister
on how to deal with the plight of creatives during COVID-19.
This appointment comes at a time when the entire nation is under enormous strain
due to COVID-19. It was evident from the onset that the creative and cultural
industries, in their various forms, are the hardest hit by the pandemic.
In response to the difficulties faced by sector practitioners, the Department introduced
various relief measures, including the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Phase Relief Fund. We have also
partnered with the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) as well as the
Solidarity Fund, amongst other partnerships, to try and soften the blow of the
Coronavirus pandemic. Whilst thousands of practitioners have benefited, it is apparent
that there are many more who have not benefitted from the various relief funds.
In an effort to find amicable solutions, working with the sector, the Minister established
MAT comprising of leaders in various portfolios of the creative sector. The work of MAT
is structured as per five (5) work streams, outlined as follows:
WORKSTREAMS
WORK STREAM 1: Banking and Landlords Portfolio: The team working on this portfolio
will engage with the financial sector and propose various interventions that would assist
practitioners with matters such as payment holidays, and other matters within this
portfolio to ensure that practitioners do not lose their valuables during this period.
WORK STREAM 2: Wellness Portfolio: The team will work closely with the Department
and the designated service provider to implement wellness interventions for sector
practitioners.
WORK STREAM 3: School Fees Portfolio: This team will propose and implement
interventions aimed at ensuring that sector practitioners’ children are not affected and
excluded from attending school due to non-payment of fees during the COVID-19 period.
WORK STREAM 4: Retail and Transport Portfolio; and WORK STREAM 5: Private and
Corporate Sector Portfolios: These teams will engage the private sector and solicit
donations and sponsorships which will ensure that practitioners continue to sustain their
livelihoods and put food on their table during the COVID-19 period.
The overarching responsibility of the appointed MAT is to set up sub-work streams. In
return, to ensure the inclusion of all sectors in the creative and cultural sector, attend to
Departmental stakeholder commitments; and a supervened collaborative partnership
with the Department to facilitate stakeholder engagement with the numerous nine
sectors of the creative and cultural industry.
The appointed MAT members are as per the table below:
Media Enquiries:
Masechaba Khumalo: Spokesperson (Minister)
Phone: 082 858 4415
Email: MasechabaK@dsac.gov.za