
Covid-19 crisis funding:
Where to apply and what are the qualifying criteria?
In recent weeks, the South African government and various private sector players have implemented interim measures to curb the immediate and longer-term effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on business and industry.
At this moment, funding relief measures are not available for all sectors. However, to make the process easier for small business during this unprecedented time, we have this “funding directory” to assist in making your search easier.
Department of Small Business Development: Debt Relief Finance Scheme
Industry and purpose: Funding amount: R500 million made available Qualifying criteria:
Department of Small Business Development: Business Growth/ Resilience Facilities
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The South African Future Trust (Saft)
(known as the Oppenheimer family fund)
Industry and purpose: An initiative aimed at supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that are financially impacted by Covid-19
Funding amount: Businesses will qualify for R750 per permanent employee per week for 15 weeks. The money is not available to directors
Qualifying criteria:
- Operating for 12 months
- The assistance will be a loan at prime -5%, repayment terms will be decided on an individual basis based on the cashflow projections
- The directors and the business must have a good credit score
- The maximum amount that businesses can apply for is R15 million, but it’s willing to look at working capital requirements of less than R200 000
- Business trading for 12 months plus
- Annual turnover of less than R25 million
- Must have been a sustainable business on February 29, 2020
- Adversely affected by Covid-19
- Company registration documents
- A valid PAYE number registered with Sars (if applicable)
- A valid income tax number registered with Sars
- Confirmation of permanent employment status of staff
The Department of Tourism
Industry and purpose: Accommodation establishments such as hotels, resort properties, bed and breakfasts (B&Bs), guest houses, lodges and backpackers. Hospitality and related services which are restaurants (not attached to hotels), conference venues (not attached to hotels), professional catering, and attractions.
Travel and related services such as tour operators, travel agents, tour guiding, car rental companies, and coach operators
Funding amount: R200 million is available; the grant is capped at R50 000
Qualifying criteria:
- Turnover of less than R5 million
- Businesses in accommodation, hospitality, services within tourism
- Financial statements
- Negatively impacted by Covid-19
- Operating for at least one year or more
Property Industry Group: Retail tenants relief package
Industry and purpose: Intended to assist large retail tenants hardest hit by the Covid-19 lockdown.
Funding amount: The value of the relief package is estimated between R2 billion and R3 billion.
Application Process: Apply via landlord
Qualifying criteria:
- Retail tenants in good standing at February 29, 2020
- Retailers in office or industrial parks qualify
- No funding will be given funding for rates and taxes, utilities and insurance
- The relief is offered in the form of a rental discount or deferral for April and May
- Annual turnover of less than R80 million
- Aims to avoid retrenching staff during the relief period
National Empowerment Fund (NEF): Black Business Fund
Industry and purpose: Funding for black entrepreneurs to manufacture medical products to help SA flatten the curve of the virus. Funding amount: R200 million is available. You may apply from R500 000 to R10 million Phone: 011 305 8080 Qualifying criteria:
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The Department of Labour: UIF and National Disaster benefit
Industry and purpose: It is only applicable to employers who are registered with UIF and make monthly contributions as required by the Contributions Act of 2002. Funding amount: The benefits an employee may receive from the C-19 Ters range from R3 500, being the national minimum wage, to a cap of R6 730.56 – the maximum of 38% of the R17 712 salary cap (as provided for in the Unemployment Insurance Act). Qualifying criteria:
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The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Industry and purpose: To address the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and ensure sustainable food production Funding amount: R1.2 billion is available Qualifying criteria:
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Vodacom-Vodalend
Industry and purpose: Business in need of a loan
Funding amount: Not specified
Qualifying criteria:
- Business must be based in and registered in South Africa
- The company must be VAT registered
- Needs to make R500 000 in revenue a year

Indien nie, sluit aan by die Potchefstroom Sakekamer en geniet al die bemarkings-, opheffings-, opleidings- en netwerkgeleenthede wat ons bied. Volg die skakel en gee jou besigheid ‘n hupstoot.
Ons sien uit na jou betrokkenheid!
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