South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced the expansion of its small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME) support programme to small business suppliers servicing Table Mountain National Park.
The initiative, in partnership with Sanlam and I AM AN ENTREPRENEUR, provides SANParks-approved SMMEs, operating within 50km of parks, with short-term, interest-free purchase loan orders.
Expansion of the programme follows successful implementation in the Kruger National Park, Garden Route National Park and Addo Elephant National Park.
“By extending the programme to Table Mountain National Park, we’re reinforcing our commitment to inclusive growth and local empowerment,” said Skumsa Ntshanga, Head of Socio-Economic Transformation at SANParks.
She said the programme enables SMMEs to fulfil contracts without facing upfront capital constraints.
“The fund enables small businesses to build capacity, sustain employment and contribute to socio-economic development in their communities. It also supports our Vision 2040, which envisions a thriving balance between nature conservation and human wellbeing.”
Programme milestones to date:
- R19.1 million (€941 000) disbursed across 87 approved SMMEs in the Kruger and Garden Route national parks
- 34% of funded businesses are women-owned and 37% are youth-owned
- 193 jobs retained (69 permanent and 124 temporary)
- R2.3 million (€113 300) saved in annualised interest
- R9.4 million (€463 300) reinvested into SMME operations
