SANParks and the Sanlam Group have expanded the Sanlam SANParks SMME Support Programme into the Arid Region, specifically in and around the Meerkat and Mokala national parks and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the Northern Cape.
The programme provides SANParks-approved SMMEs within a defined radius of participating parks with short-term, zero-interest loans against issued purchase orders. It is funded through a R20 million (US$1.23 million) revolving fund and implemented by I AM AN ENTREPRENEUR.
To date, the programme has, on average, disbursed close to R36 million (US$2.22 million), approved and funded 172 applications, supported mainly women and youth-owned enterprises, retained more than 297 jobs, saved about R2.4 million (US$148 464) in annualised interest costs and reinvested close to R16 million (US$989 760) in small business operations.
This is the programme’s first expansion into remote arid communities. It extends support beyond established tourism centres to suppliers linked to the Meerkat and Mokala national parks and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Launch events will be held at Meerkat National Park in Carnarvon on February 3, Mokala National Park in Kimberley on February 4 and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in Rietfontein on February 5.
The remaining arid parks – Namaqua, Richtersveld and Augrabies Falls – are scheduled for rollout in March.
Because of the distances between communities and parks in the region, SMMEs operating within participating arid parks will qualify within a 350km radius instead of the standard 100km applied elsewhere.
