In a media briefing yesterday it was announced that tourist guides would receive their first payment from the Tourist Guide Relief Fund over the course of yesterday and today (July 31).

Earlier this week, tourist guides across the country received a text message containing a code to be used at an Absa ATM. This text was in fact the beginning of long awaited pay-outs from the fund.

Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, said 1 378 eligible guides had received payments on Thursday, with a second batch due to receive payments today.

Deputy Minister of Tourism, Fish Mahlalela had previously told Tourism Update that individuals who had already benefited from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) would not be eligible to receive relief from the Tourist Guide Relief Fund.

Minister Kubayi-Ngubane echoed this yesterday, saying that a verification process had been initiated to ensure recipients of the fund had no other source of income.

However, according to the National Federation of Tourist Guides and Affiliates (NFTGA) Spokesperson, Francois Collin, the verification process might not be accurate. “I’ve been approached by guides who have been denied relief from the fund but haven’t received anything from UIF either,” he said.

Chairperson of the NFTGA, Zania Collin, said eligible guides who had not received a text message by the end of the weekend should contact the Department of Tourism. “It is most likely an issue with details as provided by the Provincial Registrar,” she said.