Media Releases 2021 - 2020
The Deputy Minister for Sport, Arts and Culture, Ms. Nocawe Mafu has learned with sadness of the untimely passing of Mr. Luxolo Qoboshiyana, former rugby and cricket player of the Border region.
On Monday, 22 March 2021, the Ministry sadly learnt of the untimely passing of one of our own, Ms Leonah Smith, PA to the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa.
Over and above being a consummate proffesional, Ms Smith was loved by all who knew her. She was meticulous in her work and served the Ministry with pride and the highest esteem.
Leonah Lee-Ann Smith was born on August 27, 1980 in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal. She completed her fundamentals in Project Management as well as Specialised Project Management with the University of the Witwatersrand.
Minister Nathi Mthethwa is deeply saddended by the passing of Noxolo Maqashalala (44) and Menzi Ngubane (56). The sector has been robbed at a time when there is so much tension and stress in the industry due to the economic collapse and already existing challenges within the industry.
Minister Nathi Mthethwa said, “South Africa and the world have lost two phenomenal thespians. Menzi Ngubane was an icon, an acting officionado who used his voice and his influence to demystify issues on kidney disease and sugar diabetes, while promoting positive lifestyle changes. He was a well known and well loved public figure who left an ineffaceable mark on the South African arts landscape.”
The Minister of Sport, Arts & Culture, Minister Nathi Mthethwa, last night hosted an elegant gala dinner in celebration of sports heroes from a bygone era.
Minister Nathi Mthethwa joins all Football followers in South Africa as well as the Continent, in congratulating local businessman, philanthropist and club owner, Mr Patrice Motsepe, on his appointment this afternoon, to the high office of Confederation of African Football (CAF) Presidency.
The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, extends his heartfelt sympathies to the family of King Goodwill Zwelithini, who passed away in the early hours of this morning, as confirmed by the royal house.
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.
On Sunday, 07 February 2021, Department issued the sectoral call for the Covid-19 Relief Fund Third Phase applications with the process closing on Monday, 22 February 2021.
In ensuring that a wider audience is reached this time around, the Department utilised various communication instruments inclusive of Local community radio stations platforms and initiated relief jingles and live reads with the objective of reaching far -flung areas. The Department further appointed sectoral ambassadors assigned with the task of conducting interviews and utilising their Social media platforms to promote the sectoral relief. The Department also utilised social media platforms inclusive of various websites and social media platforms belonging to its Entities and sport federations.
Yesterday, South Africa woke up to the news that the Sport, Arts and Culture Minister has announced a number of changes for towns, cities and airports in the Eastern Cape.
Deputy Minister for Sport, Arts and Culture has been inundated with calls referring to her Facebook account being active. The Facebook account of the Deputy Minister for Sport, Arts and Culture, Ms Nocawe Mafu was hacked some time ago and has been since then deactivated.