AMAZWI - South African Museum of Literature MAKHANDA
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant effect on the ECPTA during the year under review. At the onset of the pandemic and the first hard lockdown, ECPTA immediately reviewed its operational plans and budgets to salvage its planned commitments while freeing up funds towards the Provincial COVID-19 relief efforts. The consequent re-prioritisation of budgets during the year enabled the achievement of commitments in the following ways: 1. The procurement of personal protective equipment for ECPTA employees at the nature reserves and at head office ensured that staff were able to execute their duties safely 2. Connectivity and access to information technology platforms such as OneDrive was enhanced to ensure remote working was possible 3. The Marketing Department, although initially constrained, deployed virtual and digital platforms to ensure that the province was kept top of mind as a desirable destination for domestic travellers as soon as lockdown regulations allowed
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Part A
4. ECPTA successfully conceptualised the provincial tourism recovery intervention and was appointed to implement the Provincial Tourism Recovery Plan. Preparations began as early as August, so when the Adjustment Allocation was received in December, ECPTA was ready to implement. All Provincial Tourism Recovery Plan monies were spent and fully committed by year end. 5. The nature reserves remained closed to the public for most of the year. Reserve management activities such as fire management and security patrols continued throughout, and were funded accordingly The ECPTA had further anticipated the spending of funds for substantial infrastructure projects, within the nature reserves. These projects only commenced in the second part of the year due to lockdown measures and are now due for completion in 2022. The capital expenditure was therefore deferred to 2022. A significant portion of the ECPTA’s budget is augmented by the collection of revenue from tourism, live game sales and hunting on reserves. In some cases, because of the under collection of this revenue due to COVID-19 prevention measures, expenditure was deferred.
Part B
