Programme worth R2-million launches for black-owned hospitality businesses 

Siqalo Foods, RCL Foods, and BIDFOOD have launched a new programme to support the economic recovery of black-owned businesses in the hospitality sector in South Africa. 

Applications for the programme close 30 April 2021

The support programme is reportedly valued at R2-million in investment funding per year. Titled the Sekela Hospitality programme, it is a holistic, phased programme that provides support to black-owned businesses in the hospitality sector. This support funding is available to restaurants, catering companies, and accommodation businesses. The programme will offer access to capital and businesses stimulus along with business coaching.

Edwin Ukama, Channel Marketing Executive at RCL FOODS, Your Food Partners comments on the launch of the new support programme.

“The industry has endured blow after blow during the COVID-19 pandemic with the international travel ban, curfew, recurring alcohol bans, maximum capacity, and social distancing restrictions all coming into play. Like most countries, South Africa can’t afford for its hospitality industry to fail. We wanted to do our part and bring a solution to the fore where we can help drive a positive change and see business owners and entrepreneurs achieve their true potential.”

The Sekela Hospitality programme

The first phase of the programme will enable 50% of successful applicants to join the programme and each of them will receive a 10% purchase discount on any food order placed through Bidfood. 

In the second phase, qualifying applicants will receive back-of-house training, business coaching, essential financial support, and business profiling.

Applications

Applications must be completed online.

Interested applicants must adhere to the following criteria requirements to qualify for the programme:

1. The business must be restaurants, catering companies, or accommodation businesses.

2. Establishments must comprise a minimum of 10 tables service seating or operating as a Canteen or Catering for major events.

3. Qualifying Criteria evaluation form must be completed in full. Incomplete applications will not be considered

4. Applicants must be Majority ACI owned: +51%

5. The annual turnover of the qualifying entity was less than R10,000,000 (Ten Million Rand) in terms of the most recent audited financial statements or factual finding from an independent review, qualifying the entity as an Exempt Micro Enterprise (EME) and confirm that the company has a Black Shareholding (as defined per the B-BBEE Codes of Good Practice) and definitions per the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act 53 of 2003 as Amended by Act No 46 of 2013

6. BEE Verification must be available on request

7. Company Registration Document must be available on request.

8. The entity must be an Independent outlet or establishment, meaning that it must not be part of a chain or franchise group

9. The Business must be operating in major metropoles.

10. To Qualify for Purchase Discounts, orders must include at least 1 x RCL FOODS or Siqalo FOODS Product, food orders must be for a minimum of R10 000 per month.

11. Purchases are for own consumption only, not for resale.

  “We look forward to hearing from motivated applicants who are eager to turn their establishments into professionally-run and financially viable businesses. With this programme we aim to bring much-needed life, passion, and positivity back into the hospitality industry and help shape dynamic business leaders,” concludes Perpetua Ngulube, Brand Manager of Marvello and Meadowland. 

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Featured image: Michael Browning via Unsplash