Cholota said the funding was for meant for groups of students and artists who needed travel assistance.
Cholota said although there were bursary schemes offered by government, there were students who needed funding, and that is when business people were approached by her for assistance.
Cholota said she was the one who identified business people to contact for assistance. The former premier's former PA said she used a database she found at the premier’s office.
She said Mpambani was not the only business person she approached, although e-mail evidence before the Zondo commission shows that most requests were sent to Mpambani.
The commission will resume on 13 January 2020.