Overview
The Amavulandlela Funding Scheme offers South African persons with disabilities an opportunity to enter the mainstream economy by accessing credit facilities ranging from R50 000 to a maximum of R15-million to build qualifying entrepreneurial enterprises.
The fund was established solely for entrepreneurs with disabilities in response to high levels of poverty and unemployment among this community, and to assist them in accessing fundamental social and economic rights.
Who can apply?
Small and medium-sized enterprises, including close corporations and companies, and cooperatives with at least 50+ 1% ownership by entrepreneurs with verified disabilities are eligible to apply for Amavulandlela funding.
- The entrepreneur must be operationally involved in the daily running of the business
- Existing businesses seeking to expand is the preferred funding candidates, but start-ups with merit may also be supported
- Funding should preferably be used for the fulfilment of orders or contracts
- Financing applications must have economic merit (financially sustainable and technically feasible)
Benefits to entrepreneurs with disabilities
- The scheme will offer entrepreneurs with disabilities the standard credit facilities ranging from R50 000 up to R15-million at a preferential fixed interest rate of Prime minus 5% per annum
- Repayment terms for facilities will be up to 60 months. The actual loan duration will be subject to the projected cash flows of the business
- Normal sefa administration fees will apply
Additional customised benefits
The scheme also offers the following non-financial support:
- Pre-approval assistance (if required)
- Up to 5% of the local intended investment but not exceeding R75 000
- Targeted assistance to bring the application to a bankable stage, including mentoring, technical assistance, sourcing and negotiating with suitable suppliers
- Will be recovered from the applicant by means of a loan and it shall have a moratorium of 3 months after disbursement (if the loan application has been approved)
Post-approval assistance (for a maximum amount of up to R350 000)
- To be used for in-depth mentoring and coaching, as well as any other business support required up to two years
Exclusions
The following businesses fall outside the scope of enterprises that sefa funds:
- Labour brokers
- Manufacturers or sellers of ammunition
- Tobacco, liquor, gambling or sex trade businesses
- Non-profit organisations
- Political organisations
- Persons under debt review
- Unrehabilitated insolvent shareholders and/or directors of applying entities
- Primary agriculture (except cash crops, and the applicant must have an offtake agreement in place)
- Property development
Want to apply?
To apply follow these steps:
Draft the business plan or proposal
Complete the sefa application form which can be accessed below
Submit this business plan and the completed sefa application form and supporting documentation to your nearest sefa access point; or email it to helpline@sefa.org.za
As seen first on: https://www.sefa.org.za/products/amavulandlela-funding-scheme
