The R10 million relief fund announced by the MEC for finance, economic development and tourism, Vusi Mkhatshwa, will go a long way to sustain local tourism businesses in the province. More than 400 business in various parts of the province will benefit. “In total, we have received 430 applications in various categories.
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Mkhatshwa explained that so far, the department had finalised the processing of applications in four categories; namely, tourist guides, with 133 applications, hospitality, with 25 applications, and a single application for professional hunter and tourism grader assessor each.
Nobuntu Gwede, owner of Wimpy Hazyview, who took over the franchise on November 1, 2019, was one of the lucky applicants to qualify for the funding. She received R35 000.
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“Running a business during the lockdown was horrible; it was bad. For the first three weeks we thought it would be okay and we would just hang in there. But as the months went by, there was no income all. You have commitments with the suppliers, the landlord that you need to pay; it was really bad. We were not doing deliveries, and even when the regulations were relaxed a bit and we opened it made no difference, because people were too afraid to come in and dine.
“I am grateful that we are slowly picking up the pace and that the vaccine is coming in. It has been a struggle. I’m grateful that I am still standing. We are hopeful and pray that we will receive the vaccine and that people will be confident to go out and dine again.” Prior to lockdown, she had employed 22 staff members; due to the lockdown, not all of them retained their jobs. “The funding will definitely go a long way. I definitely didn’t have this in my account. With this cash I will be able to pay my suppliers, utilities and just keep my doors open. I am so grateful and so honoured,” she said.
Another recipient, Kingsley Lekhuleni, a tour operator of Acornhoek, said he was left without any means of income and was jobless since the start of the lockdown. He received R10 000 from the relief fund. “I am so grateful for the cheque I received from the department. This amount will help my family in our day-to-day life. I’ve been unemployed since the lockdown; we only survive by the grace of God. I run a small spaza shop back home which helped me to support my family. This funding came at the right time. I will be in a better position to help my children with their school fees,” he said.
The MTPA’s CEO, Johannes Nobunga said the relief will be awarded in each category per successful applicant. “Accommodation establishments were funded with R25 000 to R50 000; hospitality and related services, between R15 000 and R35 000; travel and related services between R15 000 and R35 000; individual tourist guides, professional hunters and tourism grading assessors received R10 000 each, while informal and subsistence tourism-related businesses received R7 000,” he said.
