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Zero-interest SMME Support to AENP

​Sanlam and SANParks Expand Zero-interest SMME Support to Addo Elephant National Park

5 March 2025

The Sanlam Group and South African National Parks (SANParks) have officially expanded the Sanlam SANParks SMME Support Programme into Addo Elephant National Park (AENP).

Following the successful implementation at Kruger National Park and Garden Route Parks, the fund is scaling to support SANParks’ small business suppliers within a 50km radius of AENP.

SanParks_Addo SanParks_Addo

From left to right:

Paul Mpye, Senior Manager: Enterprise and Supplier Development of SANParks, Keitumetse Lekaba, Managing Director of I Am An Entrepreneur, Ray-Ann Sedres, Chief Transformation Officer of Sanlam Group, Lucas Zepe, Head CEO Office of SANParks.

Now valued at R20 million, the fund provides interest-free, short-term working capital loans to help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) successfully deliver services to SANParks. This is particularly critical in a country where SMMEs contribute approximately 40% of total GDP, yet many struggle to access affordable finance.

Ray-Ann Sedres, Chief Transformation Officer at Sanlam, highlights the significance of the initiative: “South African National Parks are a vital contributor to the country’s economy, driving eco-tourism, job creation, and biodiversity conservation. By expanding the fund into Addo, we are strengthening the local small business network, ensuring that more SANParks suppliers can access the financial support they need to grow, create jobs, and contribute to sustainable economic development.”

The programme, implemented by I AM AN ENTREPRENEUR (IAAE), prioritises SANParks-approved SMME suppliers within a 50 km radius of national parks, with some flexibility for special cases further afield as approved by SANParks. The zero-interest loans help these businesses take on and complete projects without the burden of high borrowing costs.

Skumsa Ntshanga, Head of Socio-Economic Transformation at SANParks, underscores the importance of providing economic assistance to local SMMEs to ensure equal access to opportunities. "By expanding this programme to another one of our largest parks, we cement our commitment to inclusivity for our local suppliers. The fund allows the suppliers to grow their businesses, contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic upliftment of their communities, and helps ensure the smooth operation of our parks. This aligns with our Vision 2040 of a harmonious co-existence between people and nature, where they both prosper.”

Programme Achievements So Far

  • R12.9 million disbursed to 61 approved MSME (micro, small and medium enterprises) applications – across Kruger National Park, Garden Route Parks (Tsitsikamma, Wilderness and Knysna)
  • 28% of the funded MSMEs are women-owned, and 41% are youth-owned
  • 153 jobs retained, comprising 39 permanent and 114 temporary positions
  • R1.5 million saved in total annualised interest by MSMEs
  • R5.8 million reinvested into MSME operations

"This initiative deeply aligns with our north star: to empower all Africans to be financially secure and prosperous," adds Sedres. "We cannot achieve this without giving our micro and small business sector the support it needs to thrive. It’s our privilege to play a part in unlocking this potential – particularly for our youth and women-owned businesses, given the inequalities within our society."

A Success Story from the Garden Route

One of the programme’s early beneficiaries is Sidomela Trading Enterprise, a construction business owned by Cynthia Odwa Majova in Plettenberg Bay.

In January 2025, Sidomela Trading received a SANParks purchase order to refurbish three staff houses in the Knysna section of the Garden Route National Park. On the same day, Ms Majova successfully applied for a zero-interest loan of R119,615.17, which was processed and disbursed within minutes. This financial support enabled her business to take on the R351,495 project, creating 13 jobs in the process.

Reflecting on her experience, Ms Majova shared, "I am very happy with this Sanlam-SANParks partnership. It has really helped my business, and I encourage other SMMEs to apply. When a need arises, I will definitely apply for this fund again."

Ntshanga adds, “We are excited to support SMMEs in overcoming challenges, including barriers to entry, by providing them with funding opportunities. The fund is easy to apply for, making it easily accessible to suppliers of our national parks. We want as many local suppliers as possible to take advantage of this valuable opportunity.”

The expansion into Addo Elephant National Park marks another step in empowering small businesses, creating employment, and ensuring that local suppliers can thrive while supporting South Africa’s conservation efforts.