The Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) has reopened the Asset Assist Programme, offering grants of up to R250 000 to help small businesses purchase equipment, machinery, working capital or raw materials.
The initiative aims to strengthen SMEs by lowering financial barriers that often limit growth and productivity.
Access to finance remains one of the biggest challenges for many entrepreneurs, making funding programmes such as Asset Assist an important source of support for businesses seeking to expand or stabilise their operations.
Among those hopeful about the opportunity is Elizabeth Botsane, a micro-entrepreneur in the food sector based in Pretoria West.
Botsane said she has not applied before but believes the funding could help her improve her service and grow her business.
“Every day I sell food to learners with very limited equipment, and it affects the quality and speed of my service. If I had proper tools like a fridge or a warmer, I could improve what I offer and expand my stall. Support like this gives small entrepreneurs hope because it helps us build stronger businesses,” said Botsane.
Her optimism reflects a broader interest among entrepreneurs who have not previously applied, noting that funding of this scale could help them acquire essential equipment or expand production.
While the programme presents a valuable opportunity, some applicants who participated in earlier funding windows described the process as frustrating and unclear.
Zolela Tunzi, founder of the South Africa Driving Institute (SADI) in East London, said the experience became long and exhausting rather than the support system he expected.
Tunzi applied in December 2024 and completed all requirements by early January 2025. Months later, he was informed that his application had been unsuccessful due to a “limited budget”.
“The whole process is exhausting,” Tunzi explained. “My application was rejected even though I applied early. Then they extended the application period, which makes no sense if the budget was already finished.”
He said repeated emails to officials produced no meaningful assistance.
“Nobody is resolving my issue. I’ve been sending emails and there’s just no proper response,” he said. “Even on their social media pages, SMEs are crying out with the same problems. It feels like we’re all shouting into the void.”
Despite the frustration, Tunzi said he still plans to apply again now that the programme has reopened.
“I’ll apply again, but honestly, it feels like gambling at this point.”
Mbuso Masetla, owner and founder of Leuso Midnight Kitchen Eats and Mobile Bar in Soweto, reported a comparable experience.
His business submitted all documents and paid accountants and consultants to prepare a complete business profile.
“We applied, submitted everything, and spent a lot of money to make sure our application was complete,” Masetla said. “But we got no response.”
He added that the silence left him unsure about what went wrong.
“You put in the effort and the cost, and then there is silence.”
The Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA), which manages the programme on behalf of DSBD, stated that the previous application window received more than 13 000 applications and that the available budget for the financial year was limited.
Applicants who were unsuccessful were encouraged to explore other support programmes and to reapply when the next funding window opens.
For many small businesses, the Asset Assist Programme remains a valuable opportunity to improve operations, increase productivity and compete more effectively.
With rising costs and limited access to traditional finance, the reopened funding window has generated renewed interest among entrepreneurs across the country.
Applicants must provide proof of business registration and tax compliance, financial statements or projections, valid identification documents, and a current business bank record. They must also confirm legal work status for employees and attach indicative quotations for the assets they intend to purchase.
olga@vutivibusiness.co.za
