(a)&(b) The collaboration between the Seda and sefa has also improved to the benefit of SMMEs and Co-operatives. One of the initiatives that was undertaken is the development of a common funding template. The funding template provides guidelines to Seda officials when developing business plans that are aimed at raising funding through sefa. In addition to this initiative, there is a Steering Committee that has been established at the national level to guide provinces in respect of areas of collaboration. Seda officials in all provinces were also trained on sefa’s programmes as well as the automated loan origination system.
In the short term, there are concerted efforts to strengthen and streamline collaboration and communications between the DSBD entities (sefa and Seda) with regards to their products, services and especially progress feedback on applications. To this end, the entities identified the following key focus areas of engagement to ensure improved service delivery to our clients:
In some of the provinces, sefa’s Investment Analysts are already linked to Seda branches and sefa’s Regional Managers meet with the relevant Seda Branch Managers and Practitioners to discuss sefa referrals. These engagements are very important, and the entities are working on standardizing it in all Provinces.