The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) is spending over half a million rands each month on the Silapha Wellness Intervention Programme. However, only a fraction of this amount is accounted for.
This was revealed by sport, arts and culture minister Gayton McKenzie in the National Assembly.
According to McKenzie, an amount of R507,120 is paid monthly to Workforce Healthcare. This is the company that runs the Silapha Wellness Intervention Programme.
Only R76k out of R500k is accounted for
Of this R507,120 only R76,690 can be accounted for. Workforce Healthcare was appointed in 2023 by McKenzie’s predecessor, Zizi Kodwa.
The company was tasked with assisting artists with mental health support, financial management, substance abuse treatment and legal advice, among other services.
At the time, Kodwa said: “There is a critical need for those who engage in the creative and sporting fields. Many of [them] do not have permanent employment or healthcare support for counseling services, education, and community support around well-being matters that heavily impact them.
“We have lost too many valuable people within the creative and sports communities, as they simply did not have access to the support that they needed. One life lost is one too many.”
No record of artists who benefited from the programme
McKenzie was recently asked by Parliament’s DSAC Portfolio Committee to provide a breakdown of the Silapha Wellness Intervention Programme’s running costs.
He was also asked to share the total number of individuals who have been assisted, as well as the type of assistance provided.
He responded: “The service provider was awarded a tender of R18,297,360 for three years.
“And the department pays a sum of R507,120.01 to the service provider each month for the Silapha deliverables as outlined in the SLA and project plan.
Salary breakdown
“The salary breakdown is as follows:
- Project Management: R25 550.00;
- Silapha Ambassadors: R17 500.00;
- Clinical Team Salaries: R33 640.00; and
- Total: R76 690.00
“The Wellness Intervention Programme has engaged and impacted 1 181 artists and creative professionals. This surpassed the department’s initial target of 800 within three years.”
Remaining R400k unaccounted for
However, it remains unclear how the remaining amount, which is over R400,000 each month, is being spent.
Sunday World approached the DSAC for clarity. However, the department could not explain how the rest of the money is being used.
They also failed to elaborate on what they mean by “engaging and impacting” artists. And they failed to reveal who the Silapha Wellness Programme ambassadors are or what their roles entail.
EFF member of parliament Eugene Mthethwa, who is part of the portfolio committee on sport, arts and culture, said he does not know anyone who has been helped by the Silapha Intervention Wellness Programme.
“The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture is spending millions of rands on artists, yet they still [take their own lives] and remain in distress. The question is: where does the money go?
“If the DSAC claims to have helped 1,181 artists, as they stated in their response, that means they spent about R13,000 per artist over the past three years. It would be interesting to know what kind of services these artists received. Unfortunately, I don’t know any artist who has been helped through this programme,” said Mthethwa.
REPLY TO WHAT??????
The government cannot account for any progress made on their promises. From 1994 to date. They used the common catch phrases that speaks to the peoples hearts. It started with Free education free housing free this free that. Then it was jobs for all,less unemployment etc etc. Know it’s put South Africa right or free south africa.
Was it the people who put them there in power that created this lawless situation we in or them themselves.
Then they turned around and said the people wanted GNU.GNU was never on the ballot paper. They are Know passing laws without the peoples consent. Yet it is you the people who should Govern. They will be back to the people soon for the provincial votes and the people will still put them there.
Only hope for this country is the KINGS the true KINGS. Until that happens we have to remain in complaining and unhappiness and uncertainty of tomorrow.
This is why they want a vat increase, they cant fix it so CYA
I want a governmental system, military system , police system that is all truely subservient to the people. Systems that works for the people by the people and do not behave as if it is the masters of the people but truely servants of the people. Ao that means when the people object to anything these systems will sit up and listen and obey, not resist and stick like glue with all sorts of protections against the people.
Hahahahahahaha. Haaaaaaaaaahahahahaha!
This is funny.
They are shocked? Shocked by what?
Meanwhile over is some poor neighbourhood some connected people are driving imported German cars showing off the results of their “hard work” working with Mr gayGay there.
I always believed that this clown’s time will come when he will be exposed for who he really is. He always guns for the DA’s throat hoping to gain favor with MR Sopha Phala probably hoping that his conviction record will be expunged before his presidency expires.
This showmanship of him is simply a smokescreen, but he is deeply in cahoots with the ANC.
I always believed that this clown’s time will come when he will be exposed for who he really is. He always guns for the DA’s throat hoping to gain favor with MR Sopha Phala probably hoping that his conviction record will be expunged before his presidency expires.
This showma
nship of him is simply a smokescreen, but he is deeply in cahoots with the ANC.
We are going to be told they are appointing a committee to investigate, and that committee will be paid more than we have lost as a country with no positive outcome. That’s your government people. May GOD coil them in HIS blessings. Amen.
The Warren Commission left more questions in the minds of the American people than answers when they identified Oswald as the real and sole gunman. Gayton is simply uneducated and a plain bully
We can feel the is a new Sherrif in the block . Whether you call him ex wha what be he is sailing the sinking ship to right direction of survival . Accountability is key . Transparency is what we want to smell . Gayton McKenzie must not be worried he has all our support as he is doing an excellent job more particularly rescusitating some forgotten sporting codes