Central SA
Destea commits to driving inclusive economic growth in Free State─── ZENANDE MPAME 07:30 Sat, 12 Jul 2025
As part of its unwavering commitment to driving entrepreneurship and inclusive economic growth across the Free State, Destea has officially launched its 2025/26 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Support Incentives.
This initiative is aimed at empowering spaza shop owners, informal traders, cooperatives, and MSMEs through targeted financial and non-financial support.
The application window, outlining the processes and required documents, was opened on Friday (11/7) and will remain open till Monday, 21 July 2025.
‘This is a milestone’
“Today, we are launching the online application for Destea in the Free State. This is a milestone,” said MEC of Destea Ketso Makume. We are actually responding to the outcry and concerns that small and medium enterprises raised after we made consultations with them.”
“Consultations were made in the five districts, and they raised the issue of having the applications for financial support to be online. As of today, applications have been moved online; no applications will be accepted at the Destea offices, but officials can assist in uploading them.”
There are three categories:
- Spaza Shop Support Incentive: This funding incentive is targeted at informal traders and spaza shops with an annual turnover of less than R1 million.
- In this category, the enterprises will be supported with equipment, upgrade of business premises, training, and stock to a maximum of R100,000.
- Small Enterprise Support: This specific funding focuses on small businesses with a turnover of less than R10 million, and enterprises will be assisted with the financial injection amounting to a maximum of R250,000 as per the business requirements. For example, salons, car washes, accommodation, and automotive repairs.
- Medium Enterprise Support: This category is targeted at medium enterprises. It is aimed at providing expansion capital and co-funding contribution on behalf of the applicant to developmental funding institutions or commercial banks to a maximum amount of R1 million. For example, pharmaceuticals, hospitality, digital technologies, and green energy.
Applicants can apply on https://destea.client.kwantu.support/login. Photo: Facebook/Free State Destea
The department is also introducing the blending fund, which will be a combination of the grant and the loan.
“We are committed to ensuring that MSMEs have access to strategic resources such as skills, knowledge, network, and access to finance, amongst others, that will enable them to nurture their innovative ideas.”
Applicants will have to upload their ID documents, municipal business permits, and proof of address; all applicants must be South African citizens living in the Free State.
