Staff Reporter
The Minister of Small Business Development Stella Tembisa Ndabeni launched a holistic empowerment approach aimed at supporting women-owned enterprises across the entrepreneurial value chain countrywide mid-May in Kimberley.
The enterprise, dubbed ‘Imbali For Her’ Programme, is the first fully integrated SEDFA support initiative that combines financial assistance with non-financial support interventions including business development training, mentorship, entrepreneurship support, and market access facilitation.
It represents a R897 million investment in women’s enterprise development, and is expected to support approximately 975 women-owned enterprises across the country.
The programme offers funding of up to R5 million per enterprise, depending on the stage of the business and the outcome of the viability assessment.
Interest rates are structured at Prime minus 3% per annum, while women-owned enterprises led by women with disabilities may qualify for funding at Prime minus 5% per annum.
The programme reserves 50% of beneficiary slots for women entrepreneurs based in rural areas and townships, and 8% for enterprises owned by women with disabilities.
Beneficiaries also receive tailored non-financial support, including business development support, entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and market access support.
The launch followed extensive consultations with more than 4 500 women entrepreneurs across all nine provinces, whose contributions informed the design and structure of the initiative.
It was attended by MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Venus Blennies-Magage along with dignitaries from national, provincial and local government, the private sector.
SEDFA Interim Board Chairperson Patrick Makape said the programme focuses on enterprises that are at least 51% owned by black women, with the owner actively involved in day-to-day operations and holding a key leadership role within the business.
He said eligible enterprises are required to be fully registered and compliant with South African legislative and regulatory requirements.
The programme is open to enterprises operating across all sectors of the economy.
Businesses operating in high-impact sectors with strong employment creation potential and community development impact may receive additional weighting during the assessment process.
Applications can be submitted online via the SEDFA website at www.sedfa.org.za.
Women entrepreneurs requiring assistance with applications may visit their nearest SEDFA branch office. Branch contact details are available on the website.
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