COVID-19 Support Programme Team

The impact of COVID-19 has cut across all industries, affecting, amongst others, demand and supply, business confidence and activity, investment, employment, and trade. The Support Programme Team includes members from Enterprise Development, Municipal Economic Support and Red Tape Reduction.  The Support Programme required rapid implementation, extraordinary stakeholder involvement and minimal utilisation of service providers, since the Team committed to spend as much project funding on direct support to small businesses and their employees.  Over 11 000 businesses received safety toolkits – effectively making these compliant and able to trade. This resulted in continued employment for 33 000 employees. Approximately R40m direct financial support was provided to over 250 businesses. Businesses could continue operating, assisting approximately 1 250 households and 6 250 dependents, and support services were provided to 6 400 SMME members.