Anxious business owners are likely to hear this week if their relief funding applications have been approved, as fund managers sift through a deluge of applications and warn that “chancers” will not be tolerated.
Last Monday, the R1bn Sukuma Relief Programme, which was established as a lifeline for these businesses, was closed temporarily after receiving R2.8bn in applications. This came in the form of more than 10,000 applications made by desperate business owners who have to pay rent, inventory and product bills, and salaries of employees.
Similarly, for Johannesburg businesswoman and single mother of four Felicia Ntisa, 50, relief funding would allow her to continue to pay her 42 staff. “The process is easy and quick. I received acknowledgment of my application and a call. I am still waiting for final approval. This funding will be for my employees. It will be a big relief; most importantly it will ensure that at least my employees will have something during this period, albeit something small.”
Monama said applications went live on April 3 and they had so far received 15,000 applications for the SMME Debt Relief Scheme, and 4,000 for the Business Growth and Resilience facility. “We had one guy apply for R1m funding, but did not meet the criteria and was rejected. He then made four different applications of R250,000 – but he still didn’t meet the criteria.
My boss says he is not going pay us for the work we didn't do. 😢🙆♂️🙄