Only nine tourism businesses in the Brits and Hartbeespoort areas have benefited from the Department of Touirsm’s Covid-19 relief fund.

The Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, on Tuesday made public a list of small, medium and micro enterprises that benefited through the much-needed Tourism Relief Funding.

The R200 million relief has paid out to 4 000 business in South Africa that were negatively affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Each received R50 000.

Only 162 tourism enterprises in North West received relief funds.

“Many of the business have utilised the fund to subsidise expenses towards fixed costs, operational costs, supplies and other pressure costs items. Allocation of funds to ordinary South Africans, was conducted in line with government policies and ensured that the benefit is spread geographically across the country to cover even businesses in small villages and townships,” Kubayi-Ngubane said.

“As government, we remain committed to working with all stakeholders in whatever way we can, as we understand that these are extremely difficult times for the sector and this situation demands that we work together to weather the storm going forward.”