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Small business suppliers to Mountain Zebra National Park (MZNP) outside Nxuba (formerly Cradock) in the Eastern Cape will now have access to interest-free loans on issued purchase orders thanks to the expansion of the Sanlam Group and South African National Parks (SANParks) SMME Support Programme.

The SMME Support Programme aims to improve inclusivity and broaden economic participation by offering business support and funds to suppliers within a 100 kilometre radius of the Park’s boundary.

The expansion follows the programme’s successful implementation in the following national parks:  Kruger, Garden Route, Addo Elephant, Table Mountain, West Coast, Golden Gate, Marekele and Mapungubwe.

The initiative, with an initial investment of R20 million, provides short-term, interest-free purchase order loans, allowing SMMEs to fulfil their contracts without upfront capital constraints. The aim is to ease financial pressure and enable these businesses to deliver on contracts effectively. This support is especially significant in a country where SMMEs contribute significantly to the economy yet often struggle with access to affordable finance.

“By extending the programme to MZNP, which is now the nineth Park we’re reaching, we’re reinforcing our commitment to inclusive growth and local empowerment,” said Skumsa Ntshanga, Head of Socio-Economic Transformation at SANParks. The fund enables small business owners to build capacity, sustain employment and contribute to socio-economic development in their communities. It also supports SANParks’ Vision 2040 initiative, which envisions a thriving balance between nature conservation and the well-being of people around national parks.

The programme is implemented by I AM AN ENTREPRENEUR (IAAE) and focuses on SANParks-approved SMMEs operating within a 100km radius of the identified parks. In exceptional cases, suppliers located further afield may also be considered. The zero-interest model helps ease cash flow constraints, enabling these enterprises to accept and complete projects without the added burden of interest-bearing debt.

Thandeka Nkambule, Chief Transformation Officer at Sanlam, emphasised the broader goal, “This initiative reflects Sanlam’s commitment to empowering generations of Africans to live with confidence. In a country where unemployment remains high and access to affordable financing is a persistent barrier for small businesses, especially in underserved communities, we see it as our responsibility to help level the playing field.”

By extending the zero-interest loan programme to MZNP, it not only provides funding, but it also unlocks potential. These businesses are key drivers of job creation and local development, and with the right support, they can thrive and uplift entire communities.

Programme Milestones as of 30 September 2025

• R28.4 million disbursed across onboarded national parks.
• 34% of funded businesses are women-owned; 35% are youth-owned.
• 251 jobs retained (127 permanent and 124 temporary).
• R2.4 million saved in annualized interest.
• R15.9 million reinvested into MSME operations.

A Success Story from Addo Elephant National Park

One of the beneficiaries of the programme was Ambitious People Holdings, an Exempt Micro Enterprise (EME) located in Kirkwood, 33km from Addo Elephant National Park. On 19 March 2025, the company received a purchase order to supply automotive diesel worth R800 100 supported by a zero-interest loan of R460 800 from the fund.

“We thank the SANParks-Sanlam Procurement Fund because it really made our lives easier. We were able to supply and deliver with ease without having to think about where we were going to get the funds or worry about the interest charges and paperwork that needs to be done that delays our service delivery. We know we have a trusted funder by our side to back us up every time we get purchase orders from SANParks”, said Babalwa Masoka, Director of Ambitious People Holdings, which employs two permanent staff members.

The expansion into Mountain Zebra National Park represents another milestone in the journey to empower local businesses, sustain jobs and support conservation goals through meaningful economic inclusion.