ECPACC unpacks the process of applying for Siqaqambisa Ubugcisa Fund

According to Eye Witness News report, the Small Business Development Department is making good on its pledge to get its agencies working to support small businesses, with billions to be spent on SMMEs and cooperatives in its 2022/23 budget. Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams told a mini plenary of the National Assembly last week that there would be better funding opportunities for small and medium businesses while presenting her department’s budget.

Small businesses especially rural based and those in townships often feel neglected. The process of filling out application forms does not favour those from previously disadvantaged communities.

Chairing today’s workshop was Ms Xoliswa Ncoko from Eastern Cape Provincial Arts & Culture Council (ECPACC) who said the main purpose of the workshop was to go through the process of applying for funding. “The law says if the application is not fully compliant it cannot be approved” – she said

The workshop had officials from DSRAC, Ecpacc and other stakeholders such as the Winnie Madikizela Mandela local municipality (WMMLM).

Ms Xoliswa Ncoko from Ecpacc said she is responsible for funding. Adding to that she said the program is meant to assist previously disadvantaged communities, the youth, disabled people and main people from rural communities.

“Unfortunately, because we have to account to taxpayers and government we have top decline applications which do not comply.” She said.

Xoliswa says you must not rush into filling out the application forms. She urges applicants to take time with the process of application and double-check if everything has been done according to the funding criteria they are applying for.

To applicants sending applications via email, “make sure you send your e-mail application before the closing day and cut-off times”

“If you drop your application at a departmental or municipal office, make sure you sign the register with a municipal or departmental official.” She emphasized.

According to previous Ms Ncoko, Ecpacc used to fund busseries and after observing that students would go spend many years at colleges and universities they would come back and sit home without jobs making the funding somewhat redundant. However, they do fund people who wish to do certificates, training or studies that are not more than six (6) months that are related to the arts and culture.

In addition, Ecpacc does not fund any debts or programs which took place before the funding period outside the funding application.

Local businesses were advised, small things such as ID copies must be properly dated and properly certified with up-to-date stamps.

Those who wish to apply for the “Siqaqambusa Ubugcisa Fund” must liaise with a local Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture (DSRAC) or ECPACC official.