Overview   

SMMEs generally struggle to access commercial credit and find themselves stuck in one place with very little or no prospects of expansion. To assist in this regard, government has set up institutions that are mandated to fund these small businesses, including co-operatives. 

Because the accountant has a very important role to play in the survival and growth of SMMEs, we have brought together representatives from the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA), and the National Empowerment Fund (NEF), two Development Finance Institutions, to present their products.  

During the webinar you will learn how you can assist your clients to get access to funding from these institutions. Join Don Mashele and Lungile Gasa on 24 October from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for an informative discussion on this matter.  

Learning objectives  

By attending this webinar you will gain the following competencies: 

• Be influential in the growth and survival of your small business clients. 

• Provide value-added services that are beneficial to client growth. 

• Have knowledge of developmental funding products that are available to your SMME clients. 

• Assist your SMME clients to access developmental funding.  

Content 

The webinar will cover the following topics:  

• Who is SEFA? 

• SEFA's mandate. 

• SEFA's target market. 

• Products on offer. 

• How to apply for funding. 

• The NEF structure and mandate. 

• Types of funds within the NEF.  

• Specific products and services.  

• Sample of deals funded. 

• Non-financial support provided. 

Obtaining your CPD certificate 

This training is compliant with the International Education Standard (IES7) issued by the International Federation of Accountants and recognised for CPD by relevant professional bodies including ACCA, CIMA, IAC, IIA, SAIBA, SAICA and SAIPA. 

 All attendees are issued with a CPD certificate available in an online profile.   

About the presenters 

Don Mashele 

Don Mashele is the Head of Development Impact Support at SEFA (Small Enterprise Finance Agency), responsible for ensuring that SEFA’s Direct Lending Unit achieves its development impact outcomes. Before assuming his current role he was a Project Manager for Khula Direct Pilot Project (a project that positioned Khula to enter the retail lending space).  

Don has been in development finance for over 20 years. His career in finance specialising in SMME Finance, started in 1993 as a business adviser for the Small Business Development Corporation – which is today known as Business Partners. In 1994 he joined Standard Bank as a Monitoring Officer in the SMME unit, then the Independent Business Enrichment Centre in 1996. Before joining Khula in 1998, Don had a stint with the North West Development Corporation. Don holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of the North. He also has a certificate in Management Development Programme (MDP) from the University of Pretoria, Bank Credit Management from Damelin and a certificate in the consultancy of Small & Medium Industries obtained from the Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA). 

Lungile Gasa 

Lungile is one of the Lead Investment Associates at NEF iMbewu Fund where she executes the SMME funding particularly for companies and projects that require debt financing. Prior to joining NEF, she held various positions including Credit Analyst and Client Portfolio Analyst at one of the major banks in South Africa.   

Lungile has handled portfolios of clients across the property, retail, construction, mining, manufacturing, and tourism sectors where she developed her skills in project finance, financial modelling, analysis, business appraisals and deal structuring. Lungile is the holder of a BCom Accounting degree from UKZN. She is currently completing the Strategic Level of her CIMA studies.   

Wean Minnie 

Wean Minnie is a qualified CA(SA) who did his articles at PricewaterhouseCoopers. During his stay at PWC, Wean worked extensively with entrepreneurial businesses, typically SMMEs. From 2010 to 2020 he worked in the public sector, first at the Auditor-General for two years and then as Chief Financial Officer of the National Skills Fund for eight years. During this period he gained extensive experience in public sector grants related to skills development, especially grants provided by the National Skills Fund and the SETAs.  

Wean is currently a partner at Siyon Capital which was established to invoke thriving organisations through inspired purpose. Siyon Capital partners with entrepreneurs to help their businesses thrive. This includes unlocking capital for growth, developing and implementing routes to market, structuring the entrepreneurs’ businesses to improve their BBBEE scores and improving operational efficiencies. Wean, a devoted Christian, is happily married to his wife Lise and they have two children. 

Who should attend? 

The following persons will benefit from attending this webinar: 

• Professional accountants including: CA(SA), Professional Accountant(SA), AGA(SA), FCCA, BAP(SA), BA(SA) and ACCA. 

• Bookkeepers. 

• Trainee accountants. 

Price 

  This webinar is free 

Steps to register for the event:  

If you already have a profile, login and register for the webinar. 

If you don’t have a profile, create a free profile then login and register for the webinar. 

Click here to create a free profile (There is no charge to create a profile and gain access to our free Monthly Practice Management Series). 

Click here to find out about the Technical Resource Centre & CPD Subscription options. 

Additional material 

By attending this webinar you will be provided with: 

• A summarised slide presentation. 

• Reference documents and/or course material where available. 

• You can ask questions during the webinar and you will also have access to the presenter after the webinar.