​Lerato Mailoane
Are you a small business owner affected by the violent looting and unrests that took place in Gauteng last month? The good news is that you have until 20 August 2021 to apply for the restoration of your business.
The Department of Small Business Development is calling on all small enterprises and informal traders whose businesses were affected by the unrest to apply for the Business Recovery Support Packages.
The Business Recovery Programme is aimed at assisting uninsured and small businesses and those who require funding for working capital, equipment, and furniture. Those with existing funding from other lenders are also considered.
The Informal Traders Support Programme is targeted at supporting informal traders through business associations, provision of financial and non-financial support.
Small Business Development spokesperson Sendra Mashego said unregistered businesses (not registered with CIPC and SARS) fall under support for informal traders. These applicants would have to be South African citizens and financial support will be an R3 000 once-off grant per informal trader.
 A total of R40 million has been made available. Mashego said the informal traders should be willing to participate in business development services offered by the Small Enterprise Development Agency.
One of the businesses that will qualify is the nail boutique owned by Brenda Lebyane. The boutique situated in Pimville, Soweto had over R90 000 of stock and equipment looted.
Lebyane said everything was stolen and vandalised, including the electricity cabling, taps and even the burglar bars.
"Everything I have worked for was taken away in a matter of minutes," she said.
Lebyane whose savings have been depleted is yet to recover from financial loss.
"I was numb for days and would not even take any calls. I felt like l was being victimised. What did l do to deserve this? Why did the police who were patrolling Maponya mall a mere meter away from my shop, not prevent this?"
 Lebyane said she had an employee who is left stranded because she cannot pay salaries.
Although she is determined to find a way to reopen her store, she fears it may be looted again.
"I really need to reopen my business, but I would rather opt for a different location. I feel my safety is of the utmost importance and I cannot operate in an area where feel they have nothing to lose if they riot and loot our businesses."
Applications for small enterprises should be submitted to BRP@sefa.org.za
Applications for informal traders support should be submitted via business associations to sefainformaltraders@nedbank.co.za
Funding queries can be directed to 0860 663 7867.
Application forms can be downloaded here:  form 
Business recovery package application form (PDF)
Business recovery package application form (Word document)​