Johannesburg – The NAC welcomes the creative and cultural sector to another PESP Industry Briefing. This webinar comes twenty-two days after the officially announced closure date of PESP, which was the 30th of June 2021. These webinars provide weekly updates on the progress made with respect to the disbursement of the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP) and how the funds are distributed. This webinar follows the previous briefing session, which was held on Friday, the 9th of July 2021.
The NAC received an allocation of R300 million, of which R285 million was allocated for PESP funding. As of today, the following milestones have been achieved:
- The NAC announced a total of 1 331 applicants that were approved for the PESP funding.
- To date, a total of R244 756 503.50 (two hundred and forty-four million seven hundred and fifty-six thousand five hundred and three rand and fifty cents) has been paid to 1 309 beneficiaries, which is a combination of 70% of the grant value (the first tranche) and the full grant amounts payable to beneficiaries.
- Second tranche payments are being paid in various intervals following receipt of the required reporting from beneficiaries.
- The number of beneficiaries who have been paid their final tranche has increased to 59%, following the submission and verification of their reports. This is made up of 91% of Stream 1 beneficiaries and 49% of Stream 2 beneficiaries.
- The anticipated number of job opportunities retained and created by contracts returned stands at over 26 000, however, this will be finalised upon receipt of all final reports.
- 547 PESP funded events have been published on our website’s Event Calendar and across all our social media platforms.
The acceptance of PESP reports and outstanding payments to PESP beneficiaries continues, and as the project draws to a close, the PESP Team is working hard to ensure that final payments to beneficiaries are made as efficiently as possible. The reviewing of interim reports remains the biggest challenge and team members are engaging with beneficiaries to guide them through the process.
Beneficiaries who have received 70% of their grant and have not yet submitted an interim report, as per their contractual obligation, are required to do so by the 28th of July 2021 and are being contacted via phone or email in this regard. Failure to meet this deadline will result in further steps being taken to ensure that the funds are accounted for, through a Council resolution.
Beneficiaries who require assistance with reporting can let us know and one of our team members will gladly guide you through this process by phone or zoom.
We assure you that we understand the urgency of completing this task and the need for final payments to be made and are working tirelessly to ensure that beneficiaries who have already submitted their reports are paid as soon as possible.
We would further like to emphasise the need for beneficiaries to check on their tax status, as payments can only be made to beneficiaries who are tax compliant.
Unfortunately, The NAC continues to receive allegations of non-payment to third parties, after beneficiaries have received their payment. The NAC is investigating this matter, which is considered to be very serious.
The DSAC Appeals Committee is continuing to review appeals and the date of the final outcome will be announced.
We thank all beneficiaries who have shared their innovative projects with us, and the invitations received to events. We continue to urge beneficiaries to share any updates and press coverage with us by tagging us on our social media pages or via email at communications1@nac.org.za.
Council hosted its Strategic Planning Session on 16 and 17 July to finalise plans for the NAC trajectory for the next four years. Additional sessions will be held, which will be followed by an announcement of the NAC Call for Funding for the current financial year.
Following our update regarding provincial partners for COVID-19 relief funding disbursement, the second review for this process is currently underway and due for completion at the end of July.
Provincial Roadshows will be held timeously to create awareness of the NAC Funding guidelines, funding criteria, navigating the Grant Management System and assessment criteria to assist applicants. Due to the rising challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic in alignment with the current level 4 lockdown regulations, the NAC will be making every effort to ensure the safety of all our Stakeholders by migrating this initiative to a virtual engagement.
This Council remains fully committed to successfully completing the PESP process, which has, enabled the retention and creation of much-needed job opportunities in our sector.
ENDS…
For Media Enquiries: Council Spokesperson, Cllr. Tshepo Mashiane – 072 037 3358