How to get funding for your business during the COVID-19 lock down

Has your business suffered during the COVID-19 lock down? Here are some places where you can access funding for your company or small business.

By Fred Felton

Apr. 10, 2020

Image: https://pixabay.com/users/FirmBee-663163

With the President of South Africa having extended the lock down to the end of April you might need to access some much needed funding for your business. Thanks to the government and various organisations there are various options for you whether it be a grant, a loan or a different selling outlet for your business.

Here are some of the options to look at:

COVID-19 SMME EMERGENCY FUNDING PACKAGE

This funding is provided by the Department of Small Buisiness Development, SEDA and SEFA. This funding is split between a Business Growth Facility, SMME Relief Finance and a restructuring of sefa-funded SMME’s. To access this fund you first have to register on the national SMME database. There   are a number of qualifying criteria which you need to be aware of when you apply.

For more info visit: www.smmesa.gov.za  or email info@dsbd.gov.za

You can also call the hotline on 0860-663-7867

IDC COVID-19 ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES INTERVENTION

The IDC is providing financing for a variety of companies involved in essential services especially emergency services. If you provide any of these products you can apply: Disinfectants, sanitizers, masks, test-kits, medical gloves, packaging, toilet paper, wipes, tissues, sanitary pads, cleaning materials, chemicals, approved drugs, ventilators and filters, nebulisers, hospital beds, oxygen, aprons, safety visors, various raw materials. There is a great deal of qualifying documents you will need to have.

For more info visit: https://www.idc.co.za/2020/03/24/idc-interventions-in-response-to-covid-19/

Email: callcentre@idc.co.za  or Call: 0860-693-888

NATIONAL EMPOWERMENT FUND MANAGING A R200M COVID-19 INTERVENTION FUND ON BEHALF OF DTI

This fund will assist manufacturers that deal in the following: health care related products. You need to provide valid or verifiable orders. The funds can be used for working capital or acquiring equipment. This fund is for majority BEE owned companies.

For more info visit:  Application Form

TOURISM RELIEF FUND FOR SMME’S

This fund provides a once-off grant for small micro and medium sized enterprises in the tourism sector. The fund is capped at R50 000. There are various criteria which you will need to qualify for. It is aimed at Hotels, Lodges, B&B’s, Guest Houses, Backpackers, Restaurants (not attached to hotels); Conference Venues (not attached to hotels); professional catering, attractions, Tour operators, Travel agents, Tourist guiding, Car rental companies and Coach operators.

For more info visit: https://www.tourism.gov.za/Pages/COVID19TOURISMRELIEFFUND.aspx

Email: covidrelief@tourism.gov.za

PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN PROVIDING ASSISTANCE

Proudly SA is helping companies with supply chain problems at the moment and will be referring qualifying companies to the DTI for help.

For more info visit: www.proudlysa.co.za or email:  deryn@proudlysa.co.za

You can also join Proudly South African and load your products onto www.rsamade.co.za where clients can buy them. This gives you a platform for online shopping and ecommerce.

#ImStaying And Zapper Join Forces To Help Small Business

The #ImStaying Movement are working together to help out small business with vouchers and donations.

Jarette Petzer, CEO of #ImStaying says, ''The service is 100% zero rated, which means there is no cost to small business and no risk.''

Brett White, CEO of Zapper mentioned, ''We are extremely excited to be partnering with #ImStaying to spread the word and grow support for small business. They need all the help they can get.''

The way it works is that customers select a local business they would like to support in their area through the Zapper app. Donations and or vouchers go directly to the business.

For more info visit www.zapper.co.za 


#ImStaying Vouchers Food Vouchers Campaign

The #ImStaying movement have also launched a food vouchers campaign with BackaBuddy. All funds will be donated to members in need. The vouchers will be converted into shopping vouchers.

If you would like to donate visit: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/champion/project/ivouchforyou

If you need a food voucher visit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/hashtagimstaying 


ARTISTS RELIEF GRANTS 

BASA (Business and Arts South Africa) have a artists relief grant for creatives infected or affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

It can help with income due to cancelled events or for medication or prescriptions. 

For more info visit: https://www.basa.co.za/home-page/growth/supporting-grants-2/artist-relief-grant/

VULNERABLE ARTISTS FUND

This fund is for visual artists that deal in the following mediums: Drawing, Printmaking, Painting and Sculpture.

To apply visit: https://artistproofstudio.co.za/pages/vulnerable-artist-fund?fbclid=IwAR2XN2QYazzUxwLiQlG-F--olsMEMZIKutQ4XU132Ck193BMjMnMLPPidNA


AGRICULTURAL DISASTER SUPPORT FUND FOR SMALLHOLDER AND COMMUNAL FARMERS

This fund is available via the Department of Agriculture for farmers.

For more info visit: www.daff.gov.za


SPAZA SHOPS AND GENERAL DEALERS SUPPORT SCHEME

The Department of Small Business Development has finalised an agreement to support Spaza Shops and General Dealers via a Khula Credit Guarantee Scheme of the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA).

Various support models are available.

For more info call 0860 663 7867 or email: Spazasupport@dsbd.gov.za


SOCIAL RELIEF OF DISTRESS GRANT

This is for people who are unemployed during this time to help them through the lock down.
You must be over 18, unemployed, not receiving any income, not receiving a social grant, not receiving any unemployment benefit, not receiving a National Student Finacial Aid Scheme stipend and not resident in a government funded or subsidised institution.

To apply send a WhatsApp message to 0600 123 456 or email: SRD@sassa.gov.za.

You will need your ID number, name and surname as it is in your ID (and initials). Gender and Disability, Banking Details, Contact Details and Proof of residential address.

What We Can Do To Protect The Travel Industry

Even while Covid 19 has brought the world to a grinding standstill, it is reassuring to know that there will always be a travel industry. Even if it looks different to the one that we know, the urge to travel is just too powerful a human instinct.

However, for many people with careers in the travel, hospitality and tourism industries there is a more pressing concern. For them, the question isn’t whether or not the travel industry will endure, it is whether or not they will have a place in it. This is where you and I can step forward and be stay at home heroes.

Picture from Pixabay.

WE CAN BE HEROES

Unless we want our travel to be governed by big companies offering template holidays, we need to step up and show support for the small to medium enterprises. The businesses that make travel unique and special and that, at the moment, are struggling to keep themselves solvent.

So, what can we do to help?

DON’T CANCEL TRAVEL, RESCHEDULE.

Covid 19 has paused all travel plans but instead of cancelling your holiday and asking for a refund, why not reschedule it for a future date. The destination will still be there when things return to normal and your holiday is waiting for you. Not only will this give you something to look forward to when things improve, it will also help them stay afloat. 

On the same note, businesses need to continue to find ways to market themselves and keep their brand and vision alive in the minds of their customers. This sentiment has been echoed by many travel commentators including the likes of The Lost Executive . Now is the time for heroes.

SHARE, LIKE AND COMMENT

Getting you from one place to another takes a lot of moving parts and all of us tend to take the companies behind these movements for granted.  Over the last couple of months, the pandemic has swept the carpet out from under them and even industry giants that we thought would survive with minimal sacrifices have had to shut their doors. So, imagine what it must be like for the smaller businesses trying to keep a brave face.

THE POWER OF CONTRIBUTING

While money is tight all round, you can still engage with these companies. This includes liking, sharing and commenting on the social media posts made by your favourite travel businesses. This has a significant impact not only on their marketing strength but also in the motivation to ride out this current lull.  Positive and constructive comments are so important in today’s world, especially when there is much fear and negativity going around.

BE MORE POSITIVE ABOUT THE FUTURE

There is a lot of fear being spread around at the moment. Not only fuelled by the media but also by social media alarmists who are always one sneeze away from lying on the roof with a rifle!

As consumers and travellers now is the time where we can change the way we are speaking about things. Precautions and official advice need to be followed but this should never stop us from dreaming about travelling and talking about our future adventures.

DREAM BIG AND PLAN

Right now, travel may be difficult if not impossible. If you are at home, why not spend your time mapping out the next safari or tour? Take this as an opportunity to communicate with the operators and agents who are also home and can help. They can give advice on the best routes, suggest those special excursions and make deals with hotels, lodges and transport. They may not know exact timelines on when the adventure will happen, but they will definitely help you with the how, the where and the what. 

WE’RE IN THIS TOGETHER

Psychologically speaking, planning for the future helps remind us that whatever is happening now is temporary and we have no reason to panic. Yes, this includes bulk buying toilet paper and taking what we read on Facebook as gospel!

Travel professionals and travel businesses rely on the travel industry, but they rely on us even more. We cannot let them down. They need us. So, remember, reschedule don’t cancel, like, share, comment and be a hero.