The Minister said the department’s role was to create an enabling environment for the creative industries to flourish.

The department is accepting proposals from work-streams for programmes in cultural events, touring ventures and public art.

It has developed a strategy which will make funding accessible to more beneficiaries than in the past.

“It takes into account the need for rapid review, processing and approval of small projects to ensure that MGE financing is responsive to sector needs,” the Department of Arts and Culture said.

The department is expected to launch the Mzansi Golden Market (MGM) portal on 12 November.

The MGM, formerly known as the Sourcing Enterprise and Information Centre, is a work stream of MGE which is tasked to create a demand for creative and cultural products, services and experiences.

The MGM was developing a portal which would promote the work of artists and practitioners in the arts, culture and heritage sector.

The e-commerce platform would also include information from both the supply and demand side of the supply chain to better connect artists with music promoters, craft retail shops, concert organisers, art galleries, exporters, festival, fashion show and event organisers.

The MGM was also planning to offer helpdesks where roleplayers from the supply and demand side could be assisted in acquiring each other’s goods and services.