Tourism Minister says she's on the verge of cancelling a service agreement level with SEFA

CAPE TOWN - Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille says she's on the verge of cancelling a service agreement level with the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA).

According to De Lille, SEFA doesn't understand the urgency needed to release funds to small businesses.

The agency operates through the Department of Small Enterprise, under the guidance of Minister Stella Ndabeni.

The Minister said SMMes in the tourism sector have been experiencing delays with receiving funds.

READ: World Tourism Day: Minister de Lille says Northern Cape's uniqueness a drawcard for tourists

De Lille said her department approved over R50 million in April for small businesses.

The money is earmarked for 160 SMMes to participate in international and domestic trade shows.

She was speaking at a media briefing at Parliament on Thursday to reflect on progress made during her 100 days in office under the GNU administration.

"There's such a great need out there, and it's important that we fund and help businesses to grow. So I had a discussion with the Minister of Finance to say to him I want to close, where do I move the funding to so it can be disbursed as soon as possible, and I will be making an announcement soon on this," de Lille said.