FUNDING SUPPORT

1. Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP)

The commodity approach is an institutional arrangement that brings together various levels of government and the private sector. Each participant understands their specific roles and collaborates from a unified plan to achieve shared goals.

Consequently, the Department has teamed up with 11 commodity groups in the province. These partnerships focus primarily on the agricultural value chains highlighted in the Agriculture Policy Action Plan (APAP), which aims to meet the targets established by the Agricultural and Agri Processing Master Plan.

South Africa Wine shares appraisal, technical support, and project oversight capabilities with the Western Cape Department of Agriculture. Details on how to apply for funding are available online at; https://www.elsenburg.com/casp/.

NAMC Portion

Purpose of the fund

Specifically, the fund will cover:

1. Trade Finance: Assistance with financial transactions related to trade.
2. Credit Insurance: Protection against the risk of non-payment.
3. Brand Building: Efforts to develop and strengthen brands.
4. Brand Listing: Getting brands listed by national and international retailers.
5. Market Development: Expanding and penetrating new markets.
6. Market Research: Conducting research in target export markets.
7. Compliance with Standards: Meeting national and international production standards.
8. Legal Compliance: Ensuring legal requirements for trade participation are met.
9. Training: Providing necessary training for skill development.
10. Mentorship: Offering guidance and support through mentorship programmes.

Who can apply?

• Applicants must be black farm owners, workers, or black-owned brands in the wine and spirits sector, registered as business entities.

How to apply?

• The application process includes submission through NAMC or industry bodies, with necessary documentation such as business plans and quotations.
• Applications are assessed by a Fund Assessment Committee, which includes representatives from NAMC, DALRRD, and the industry.
• Funding decisions are based on criteria like business registration, project disclosure, and a first-come, first-served basis.
• Successful applicants must sign a contract with NAMC before receiving funds.

Land Bank Portion

Purpose of the Fund

The fund aims to support economic development and transformation within South Africa’s wines and spirits value chain. It focuses on facilitating inclusive growth, particularly benefiting black-owned enterprises, women-owned businesses, youth-owned enterprises, and other marginalised groups. The fund intends to expedite economic transformation and ensure ethical and social compliance in the industry.

The fund does not provide refinancing, but co-financing with the Land Bank outside the fund may be considered.

Where applicable, a social development plan addressing the needs of farm workers must be included.

Who can apply

• Entities within the wines and spirits value chain in South Africa.
• Majority black-owned entities or those with at least 51% black shareholding.
• Women-owned enterprises, youth-owned enterprises, and other marginalised groups. The project should demonstrate a proven benefit to women-owned enterprises, youth-owned enterprises, and other marginalised groups.
• Applicants must demonstrate the ability to expedite economic development and transformation in the wines and spirits sector, focusing on inclusive growth.
• Existing businesses must comply with social and ethical standards, including Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trading Association certification. If not already in place, funding must cover this.
• Applicants must agree to further skills development and training where applicable.

How to apply

• Applications can be submitted directly to the Land Bank using the prescribed form.
• Industry bodies in the wines and spirits sector can also submit applications on behalf of targeted beneficiaries.
• Land Bank will invite applications for funding through its website, media, and other channels.
• Invitations will also be publicised via Land Bank’s traditional channels, including its branch network and agricultural trade shows.
• Applications must be submitted in the prescribed form as per Land Bank’s processes.
• Applications are assessed on a first-come, first-served basis.

3. Edge Growth in partnership with First National Bank

South Africa Wine acts in an advisory capacity to enterprises like edge growth that assist black-owned wine brands and farms. Edge Growth is a programme partnering with First National Bank.

Application details are available online at https://edgegrowth.com/sme-hub/.

4. Western Cape Department of Economic Development (DEDAT) Export Competitiveness Enhancement (ESET) Programme

South Africa Wine assists black-owned wines through the intermediary funding model under the ESEP fund. Brands may either apply directly to the ESEP fund or to South Africa Wine through its grant application windows. Details surrounding the ESEP fund are available online at https://www.westerncape.gov.za/site-page/economic-sector-support-export-competitiveness-enhancement-programme.

5. Nedbank Transformation Solution

South Africa Wine and Nedbank have contracted to share due diligence resources to refer business deals where appropriately permitted. Nedbank’s Differentiated solution affords black-owned applicants priority screening by a specialist team. https://business.nedbank.co.za/small-business/industry/agriculture.html

6. Wesgro

South Africa Wine and Wesgro actively guide one another in the assistance of black-owned wine brands. Brands are encouraged to visit the Wesgro website to be considered for funding. Information is available online at https://www.wesgro.co.za/invest/funding.