COVID-19 has impacted my business
The South African Government, has shown remarkable unity in a joint effort to protect our country against the impact of COVID-19, especially those whose financial position has been impacted by COVID-19.
The SMME Debt Relief Finance Scheme - Available from the Department of Small Business Development
This fund has been established to assist businesses financially who have been directly impacted by COVID-19. It is important that you can prove that your challenges are a direct result of COVID-19.
The qualifying criteria are the following:
- The business must have been registered with CIPC by at least 28 February 2020.
- Company must be 100% owned by South African Citizens.
- Employees must be 70% South Africans.
- Priority will be given to businesses owned by Women, Youth and People with Disabilities.
- Be registered and compliant with SARS and UIF.
To apply, please go to
For further information and to apply, please go to
Sport, Arts and Culture sector relief - Available from the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture
If you are an artist, athlete, or part of the technical personnel and/or the core ecosystem that supports them, a fund was made available to soften the economic impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on your livelihood.
Please note applications closed 6 April 2020.
For further information please go to
www.dac.gov.zaTourism Relief Fund for SMMEs - Available from the Department of Tourism and Hospitality
This Fund provided a once-off capped grant (R50 000 per entity) assistance to SMMEs in the tourism value chain to ensure their sustainability during and post the implementation of government measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 in South Africa. The grant can be utilised to subsidise expenses towards fixed costs, operational costs, supplies and other pressure cost items.
Please note applications closed 31 May 2020.
For further information please go to
www.tourism.gov.zaAgricultural Disaster support fund for Smallholder and Communal Farmers - Available from the Department of Agriculture
Please note applications closed 22 April 2020.06.26
- For further information and enquiries, please visit
Spaza shops and General Dealers Support Scheme - Available from the Department of Small Business Develop
To improve access to the Spaza Shops and General Dealers Support Scheme, the Department of Small Business Development has finalised an agreement to support spaza shops and general dealers on the back of the Khula Credit Guarantee Scheme of the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA).
The support available under the scheme includes:
- Access to working capital investment and revolving credit facility that is backed by the Khula Credit Guarantee scheme of SEFA. The facility is available at participating wholesalers that are distributed country-wide. The list of participating wholesalers will be shared with approved spaza shop and general dealer owners.
- Business Management support that includes assistance with basic financial management with support of Financial/ Business graduates that will be assigned to give dedicated support to the business over a 24-month period.
- Legal compliance that includes assistance to register with CIPC, SARS and UIF, and other compliance requirements that may be necessary for participation in the scheme.
Qualifying criteria include:
- A spaza shop/general dealer owner who is a South African.
- Holds a valid trading permit (including temporary) or business license in the case of a general dealer for participation in the scheme.
For additional assistance or enquiries, spaza shop and general dealer owners can go to
call 0860 663 7867
or e-mail
Youth Micro Entrepreneur Relief Fund - Available from the National Youth Development Agency
The NYDA provided a Relief Fund to youth-owned enterprises for a period of three months.
Please note applications closed 30 May 2020.
For further information please visit
http://www.nyda.gov.za/Latest-News/NYDA-Youth-Micro-Enterprise-Relief-Fund
