Question NW882 to the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture

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25 May 2020 - NW882

Profile picture: Cachalia, Mr G K

Cachalia, Mr G K to ask the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture

(1) Whether his department will offer any form of Covid-19 financial or other relief to small businesses; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (2) whether the Covid-19 financial or other relief will only be allocated to qualifying small businesses according to the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, Act 53 of 2003, as amended; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) on what statutory grounds and/or provisions does he or his department rely to allocate Covid-19 financial or other relief only to small businesses according to the specified Act and (b) what form of Covid-19 financial or other relief, if any, will be made available to other small businesses?

Reply:

1. The call for applications for the Relief Fund for artists included individuals, organisations and SMMEs.  SMMEs were not excluded from this call and therefore there has been an opportunity for small businesses to receive relief.

2. The COVID-19 relief fund was for all applicants and was not limited to small businesses governed by the BBBEE Act as specified in the question.

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