FOLLOWING an influx of inquiries from applicants requesting feedback on their applications to the Economic Recovery Fund, the Municipality would like to update prospective beneficiaries that the pre-selection phase is still underway and is closer to completion.

 

The fund application process, which is aimed at assisting small businesses that are severely affected by the Covid-19 outbreak, closed on 30 September 2020. With over 5000 applications received, the collection period alone took time from physical venues at all Sizakala Centres and Municipal online platforms.

 

The Head of Business Support, Tourism and Markets Unit, Thulani Nzama is asking for patience. He said the committee handling the process, made of senior executives from the private and public sector, are about to complete the pre-selection phase before they commence with the selection.

 

“They are doing thorough candidate screening to ensure that enterprises that have benefited from any recovery fund are exempted and to double check many other things.”

 

Nzama said it must be considered that the Covid-19 challenges played a huge role in delaying the process with the private sector closing in December. However, he assured that the committee is working around the clock to finalise the process and award deserving candidates.

 

Ends.

 

Issued by the eThekwini Municipality’s Communications Unit. For media enquiries contact the Municipality’s Spokesperson, Msawakhe Mayisela on 060 966 4220.