The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation have managed to coordinate the repatriation of 29 young Musicians/Artists stranded in Turkey. The group was meant to fly home, when flights were grounded due to the Coronavirus pandemic. These artists are said to be from disadvantaged backgrounds and were unable to afford the airfare on a Turkish Air flight that was flying to South Africa on 22 May 2020.
The flight was arranged by the Turkish Government to airlift its Nationals stranded in South Africa and neighbouring countries. The 29 artists were part of the 93 South Africans granted approval to board the flight to South Africa. They arrived last night and were taken to a government facility for mandatory quarantine.
As Government, we are honoured to have played a role in showing care to our own.
We are happy that our young practitioners will be back on home soil and soon reunited with their families.
Media Enquiries:
Masechaba Khumalo: Spokesperson (Minister),
Tel: 066 380 7408 | Email: MasechabaN@dac.gov.za
Mr Mickey Modisane: Chief Director Marketing and Communications (Sport)
Tel: 082 992 0101 | Email: Mickey@srsa.gov.za
Ms Zimasa Velaphi: Marketing and Communications (Arts and Culture)
Tel: 072 172 8925 | Email: ZimasaV@dac.gov.za
