07 Jun 2020

Selebi Phikwe small entrepreneurs and other micro enterprises are picking up the pieces after they were hard hit by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to the CEDA informal sector stimulation programme dubbed Letlhabile.

Mr Tshaorayi Samero, a street vendor, who sells bananas for a living, has benefited from the programme as he managed to keep his business afloat in these trying times, through the CEDA COVID-19 Relief Plan.

Mr Samero explained in an interview that he was loaned approximately P2 000, which he needed to get his business back on track, as it had suffered a great deal during the lockdown period, as it relied primarily on the movement of the public, which was then restricted to control the spread of the corona virus.

He said he used the loan to get his bicycle tyres fixed and to buy stock. 

Another hopeful, Mr Edward Odireleng, who runs a Broiler Chickens business at Serule, praised CEDA officials for their patience in assisting the customers to fill application forms.

Mr Odireleng was hopeful of the success of his application, saying he believed the programme was convenient, as a response was to be expected within seven days of submission.

“I believe the funds are sufficient, seeing that my business is still at an embryonic stage,” he said.  

Letlhabile supports the informal businesses that have  been incapacitated by the travel restrictions that were implemented to fight the spread of COVID-19.

The programme offers a three-months interest free perod to allow businesses to build enough cash flow reserves before repayment at five per cent interest per annum on a reducing balance method on loans ranging from P500 to P10 000. Ends