Covid-19: SMME relief fund temporarily closed after capacity is reached
“We unfortunately had to close the online application portal as the programme is already severely oversubscribed, and in keeping the portal open, we run the risk of not being able to meet expectations.”
Just days after applications opened for the Sukuma Relief Programme the fund has been oversubscribed, with applications for financial assistance far exceeding the current available capital of R1-billion.
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The fund is an initiative aimed at supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that are financially impacted by Covid-19.
Ben Bierman, managing director at Business Partners Limited and appointed administrator of the fund, said the high number of applications that the programme received over the past weekend, as well as on Monday, April 6 is indicative of the crippling impact that the Covid-19 crisis is having on South African SMEs.
The combined value of the applied for funds exceeds R2.8-b.
“This exceeds the available donated capital of R1-b almost three times over.
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“As such, we have decided to suspend access to the application portal with immediate effect.
“We will now be using the next seven days to assess the applications received and provide feedback to the applicants.
“Should we thereafter find that there is still capital available, either because some of the applicants were not verified and approved, or because we have managed to secure additional capital, we will then open the programme for applications again,” said Bierman.
He added that the overwhelming response was a cry for help from South Africa’s SME sector.
“Just three days after the online portal was opened for applications, the programme has already received in excess of 10 000 applications from formal sole proprietors, close corporations, companies and trusts.”
Rupert's Covid19 Donation fund Sukuma Relief Programme has received in excess of 10 000 applications from SMMEs.
The value of applications is R2.8bn & exceeds the available donated capital of R1bn.
Business Partners temporarily suspends applications. pic.twitter.com/EMAnDVf2iO
— Entrepreneur Zone (@SayEntrepreneur) April 7, 2020
Emphasising the grave need for additional capital to continue supporting the struggling SME sector, Bierman called on big businesses and corporations to contribute funding to the Sukuma Relief Programme.
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“We realised when engaging with our clients that the situation is dire, but we have been surprised by the sheer number of SMEs that are in desperate need of assistance.
“We unfortunately had to close the online application portal as the programme is already severely oversubscribed, and in keeping the portal open, we run the risk of not being able to meet expectations.
“As such, we are making a public plea to other big businesses that are looking to support local SMEs during this critical time.
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“SMEs are the lifeblood of our economy and they are in need of financial assistance, now more than ever before, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Now is the time to get involved and support each other,” he said.
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