​Rofhiwa Marubini 
Gauteng Government is committed to continuously support to the creative industries and sports in the province. 
A total of 2984 beneficiaries have benefitted from the R28million Relief Fund Programme. About 1098 beneficiaries were from the Sport Sector and in 1886 in the Arts. 
The COVID-19 Relief Fund was established to support the sectors as they are hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gauteng MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation Mbali Hlophe said Gauteng accounts for 44% of the overall relief funds disbursed to artists and athletes affected by the pandemic nationally.
"We are very excited with the announcement made by the minister that of the 6518 relief funds that were disbursed, as Gauteng we were the highest distributor, accounting to 44% of the overall distribution nationally," said Hlophe.
Stringent processes in line with government regulations were put in place to select and approve qualifying applications for the 1st and 2nd phase of the Relief Fund. 
The province went on an aggressive campaign to ensure that a majority of Gauteng based artists and athletes received the funds and support. 
Creative industries and the sports sector is among the biggest contributors to the GDP of the province and country. 
The province prides itself in being the home of champions and for successfully working with the creative industries and sports sectors amidst and challenges faced by the sector because of the pandemic. END