I have been advised as follows:
1.No, the department does not offer financial assistance and/or other relief to small businesses. The department has not budgeted for such.
2. The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa [ICASA], an entity of the department, has written to licensees in an effort to ensure that they make communication services available to all South Africans. ICASA provided concessions or relaxations to enable the sector to meet the demands of business unusual environment brought about by COVID-19.
ICASA has exempted television broadcasting service licensees from compliance with the local television content quotas and specific advertising and programming requirements in terms of licence conditions during the National State of Disaster.
Sound broadcasting service licensees are exempted from compliance with specific programming requirements and promises of performance in terms of licence conditions during the National State of Disaster. However, sound broadcasting service licensees shall comply with the local content music quotas.
These exemptions will automatically cease three months after termination of the National State of Disaster.
MR J MTHEMBU, MP
ACTING MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES