Author: Herman Pieters
04 August 2025 Public Notice: Micro-, Small, Medium, Enterprise (MSME) Support and Development Programme
Public Notice: Micro-, Small, Medium, Enterprise (MSME) Support and Development
Garden Route District Municipality – Call for Business Proposals
Notice in English | Notice in Afrikaans | Notice in Xhosa
Garden Route District Municipality is embarking on a programme to help dynamic and committed entrepreneurs to grow
their own businesses. A broad scope of non-financial assistance will be provided, which will include compulsory business
development interventions and training. Only viable applicants with a credible business profile must apply.
IMPORTANT
Applicants MUST complete an application form (obtained from either the District Economic Development Office, 54 York Street, George, 6530, our satellite offices or per email smme@grdm.gov.za). Completed forms must have the following IMPORTANT supporting documents attached:
- Company Profile or Business Plan.
- 6 months recent bank statements.
- Business registration document with certified ID copies of the owner.
- Latest certified SARS/Tax certificate.
CRITERIA
- Must be a registered business operating for 1 year and/or more.
- Must have a viable business with clear directions/deliverables.
- Must be available to do a presentation to a selected panel and to attend the compulsory business development interventions and training identified by the panel.
- Must be SARS registered.
- 100% South African-owned.
- Formally registered for 1 year or incorporated e.g., with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC); and must be in operation for the mentioned period.
- Operating and residing within the Garden Route.
- Classified as a MSME in terms of the National Small Enterprise Amendment Act 21 of 2024.
All applications must be in an envelope, stating “2025/2026 MSME Support and Development Programme – Garden Route District Municipality” and be delivered at 54 York Street, George, 6530 or at any Garden Route District Municipality offices for attention Johannes Jafta or emailed to smme@grdm.gov.za. Enterprises that benefitted from the previous programme from 2019 to 2025 will not be considered.
- Please provide us with a detailed outline of your business profile, together with all the required proof. I
- f you don’t adhere to the set criteria, consider your application as unsuccessful.
- Only shortlisted enterprises will be contacted to present their business to an adjudication panel in person.
- Only the top businesses with reference to the set criteria will be selected/considered.
CLOSING DATE
Friday, 29 August 2025 by 13h00.
NO LATE APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED.
All enquiries can be directed to the Garden Route District Municipality Economic Development Office at smme@grdm.gov.za or at 044 – 803 1401.
If you do not receive feedback from us within 3 months after the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful. The Garden Route District Municipality also reserves the right not to make a selection for the abovementioned programme.
N Raisa-Mlandu (Ms)
Acting Municipal Manager
54 York Street
PO Box 12
GEORGE
6530
Notice number: 71/2025
Download the .jpg notices below:
04 August 2025 Media Release: 13 MSMEs in the Garden Route Receive Boost from GRDM’s Micro Small and Medium Enterprise Support Programme
Media Release: 13 MSMEs in the Garden Route Receive Boost from GRDM’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Support Programme
4 August 2025
Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) continues to help drive economic growth and job creation in the region through its Micro Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) support programme. To date, GRDM invested more than 3 Million Rand in 121 beneficiaries since the programme’s inception in 2019. This year alone, 13 small businesses from various towns across the district are benefiting from the programme, of which the handover to MSMEs took place on 1 August 2025 . The GRDM partnered with Cape Agency for Sustainable Integrated Development in Rural Areas (Casidra), Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (Sedfa) to procure the goods for the beneficiaries. These institutions, including Local Economic Development (LED) Managers from Local Municipalities, and the Western Cape Economic Development Partnership (WCEDP), formed part of the committee responsible for selecting the beneficiaries of the programme.
In his keynote address, Executive Mayor Andrew Stroebel said:
“This MSME Programme is one of the ways GRDM is turning its vision of inclusive growth into action. Through this programme, we are giving small businesses the push they need to go further, faster – because we know that real development happens when local businesses are empowered to lead change in their communities”.
“To our partners at Casidra and SEDFA – thank you for your technical expertise, mentorship, and unwavering belief in this initiative. Your collaboration is helping us bring practical, lasting change to our region.”
Mayor Stroebel also thanked the GRDM District Economic Development team and the MMC for District Economic Development and Tourism, Ald. Rosina Ruiters, for their commitment to the programme and ensuring its annual successful roll-out.
The objectives of this initiative remain the same as previous years – to strengthen, improve and expand small businesses by assisting them with equipment, stock, and other essentials. Through this support, the GRDM enables SMEs to grow and contribute meaningfully to job creation within the Garden Route.
This year’s 13 beneficiaries include SMEs from seven local municipal areas in the Garden Route. These include Kannaland, George, Hessequa, Knysna, Bitou, Mossel Bay, and Oudtshoorn. The businesses benefiting from the programme represent a diverse range of sectors, from health and beauty to construction and hospitality. According to Natalie Raubenheimer, Snr. District Economic Development Officer, “86 applications were received, from which we had to carefully select those who matched the criteria of the programme the best”.
Beneficiaries include:
Kannaland
- Ebby Homebake – Ebby Gail Plaatjies
George
- Eden Health Centre – Charlmain Harker
- EJ Surgical – Shané & Lyle Jamané
- Kuyenzeka Amalgamated Projects – Cikizwa Vavana
- Mathyse Enterprise – Carlo Mathyse
- Netha Lethu Legacy t/a Netha Marketing Links – Khanyisile Hlungwane
- Timers and Sons – Zikisa Bam
Hessequa
- Jet Ngomana Construction and Projects – Jetro Ngomana
Knysna
- Keurhoek Construction – Ralston Pietersen
Bitou
- Mamzo’s Lounge – Ntomboxolo Mrubata & Malixole Qange
Mossel Bay
- Lynn’s Services and Solutions – Lynette Jantjies
- Reflekt Model Management – Danie and Linda Greyling
Oudtshoorn
- Natural Hair Products – Nirvana Gysman
This year five youth-owned businesses receive support, showcasing the programme’s growing impact on the younger generation. Youth beneficiaries include Netha Lethu, Mamzo’s Lounge, Natural Hair Products, and EJ Surgical.
The application window for this cycle was open from 11 February to 28 February 2025, and the next round will be advertised in the new financial year (ending June 2026).
“GRDM encourages small business owners across the district to prepare for the upcoming opportunity,” said Johannes Jafta, GRDM Economic Development Officer.
The monitoring and evaluation team visits businesses throughout the year to assess progress and impact of the support provided. One standout success from past interventions is Dumisani Meslane Projects, who expanded his business after initial support. Today he owns two trucks from the income he generated after the GRDM supported him.
While the programme is currently led by GRDM, private sector and other government departments or agencies are welcome to partner in the future to scale the initiative. Contact Johannes Jafta, johannes@gardenroute.gov.za or 071 860 8341, alternatively contact Natalie Raubenheimer, natalie@gardenroute.gov.za or 078 800 4172.
The support programme remains inclusive and there are no restrictions based on gender, age, or race. The selection of beneficiaries is based strictly on merit and alignment with the programme’s goals. It is important to note that beneficiaries can only receive support once, ensuring wider reach and opportunity across the district.
More in pictures:
Editor’s note:
The programme was directed by Lusanda Menze, Executive Manager for Integrated Economic Development and Planning.
Feature image: The beneficiaries who received support from the GRDM and its partners.
ENDS