Business Emergency Rescue
SAICA’s action plan in response to the recent unrest

July 2021

The events that have played out in the country over the last few weeks have had an immense impact on all South Africans. The negative effect on businesses and livelihoods has been severe, and our members in the Eastern Region (Kwazulu Natal) in particular have been impacted.

At SAICA, we see our members as well as ourselves as leaders in the economy – individuals who can make a difference in society to better the lives of everyone. It is our duty to do what we can to alleviate the emotional and physical hardship that South Africans have been subject to. As members, we need to be a part of the solution and make a difference where we can.

Following from member requests and engagement with the SAICA Eastern Region Council, SAICA leadership have put together a campaign in an effort to help not only our members, but also individuals who can benefit from our members’ expertise to rebuild their businesses and deal with the emotional and mental stress that they are experiencing.

The campaign is called Difference Makers: Business Emergency Rescue (BER) and while we look forward to share more details of our actions, the plan includes, amongst others, the following:

1. The next phase of the Business Emergency Room initiative is aimed at assisting businesses that have been impacted by the recent turbulence in South Africa. The priority and purpose of the Business Emergency Room remain to accelerate economic recovery and growth through supporting small businesses.
The initiative will once again call on business people to participate as part of a voluntary panel of business advisory experts, offering temporary pro-bono support to businesses in response to the current economic strain and its repercussions on society. In turn, businesses will have an opportunity to apply for the support from the panel of business advisory experts.
It is important to note that the service remains purely an advisory service and not an implementation service. In addition, participation will be on a pro-bono basis for a limited period of time.
The specialist areas of advisory are as follows:

SAICA is reactivating its Business Emergency Room initiative, which was originally developed at the onset of the global pandemic in an effort to support small businesses that were adversely affected during the first lockdown.

• Business experts who are willing to help, should kindly sign up here.
• Businesses who would like to apply for support through the Business Emergency Room, can do so here.
  

The specialist areas of advisory are as follows:

• SASRIA Insurance claims
• Cash flow management
• Funding/Grants/Incentives applications
• Business strategy for uncertain times
• Business diversification
• Taking new products/services to market
• Business processes/Business Continuity Processes
• Business rescue
• Sector-specific advice
• General business coaching
  

2. We realise that a number of our members, their employees and clients are struggling following the riots, and therefore we have reached an agreement with the Independent Counselling and Advisory Services (ICAS) to offer Emotional Resilience Sessions. Members can ask for counselling regarding emotional trauma, loss of employment, loss of businesses, and other matters that resulted from the unrest. These sessions for members are only offered telephonically. Members can call the following toll-free number to consult with an ICAS counsellor: 0800 213 174

In addition, we have hosted a number of Wellness Check-In webinars, which you can access for free on the SAICA website. We have also received helpful information from a UK-based company called Resilience First. Although their guidance has been written from a UK perspective regarding resilience during the pandemic, some of the learnings may be of use to members who are experiencing a difficult time. You can find more information on Resilience First’s advice on the SAICA website.

3. SAICA is partnering with Gift of the Givers to provide an opportunity for SAICA members and their organisations to contribute financially towards the relief efforts aimed at resuscitating the economy, thus alleviating societal hardships. SAICA has engaged Gift of the Givers in this regard to facilitate a more streamlined and direct process of administrating the welfare fund. If you would like to contribute, you can do so by using the banking details below:

Gift of the Givers
Standard Bank, Pietermaritzburg, Branch code: 057525
Account number: 052137228
Kindly use the following reference number: SAICA/BER
You can send your deposit slip to donations@giftofthegivers.org for a s18A tax deductible certificate.

4. We have launched a SAICA community group on the Telegram Messenger application where members will be able to connect with each other to ask for and offer advice and support as needed. This app can be downloaded on mobile devices as well as on a desktop computer. Please ensure you download the Telegram Messenger application rather than other versions of Telegram.

Once you have downloaded the application to your device, add the SAICA number 074 990 5307 as a contact to your phone. You can then sign up to join the group by following this link. Your membership status will be verified before you will be added to the group.

We also remind you to read the group’s terms and conditions as well as the POPIA disclaimer on the sign-up page before joining the group.

5. SAICA has been engaging SARS in an effort to help members with tax implications following the recent unrest. SARS has released a SMME Emergency Tax Relief leaflet to help businesses who have been directly affected by the riots and may need support regarding their tax matters. Dr Sharon Smulders from SAICA also appeared on The Big Small Business Show (DStv channel 142) where she talked about the tax implications and incentives that are available for small businesses who were affected by the recent riots.

6. We are further arranging an Economic Recovery Conference, not only to support members who may have been impacted but also to reignite the economy in order to alleviate the impact of the recent violence as well as the ongoing pandemic.

7. SAICA is also engaging SARS on matters like tax implications as well as the banking sector to discuss loans and support for those members who may need it. To assist businesses and employees that are still negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent unrest in the country that resulted in the destruction of businesses and infrastructure, the Government has provided additional assistance in the form of tax and other relief measures to assist in the process of reconstructing businesses. A summary of these relief measures announced by the President on 28 July 2021 is provided here. Tax relief measures for SMMEs from SARS has been released and is available. As more information becomes available in respect of these relief measures, this will be communicated with members.

National Treasury announced a fiscal package, outlined by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 25 July 2021, in response to the continuing COVID -19 pandemic. The relief is applicable to tax compliant businesses in the alcohol sector who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown restrictions. See the FAQs here – FAQs for Tax Relief on Excise Duty.

Further information will be provided on the above mentioned and other matters as these become available.

We will also share the good news stories that arise from this initiative by using #differencemakers and #countmein, for it is truly in adversity that people come together as a community to help each other to create a caring society. It is imperative that we celebrate these stories.

Thank you to all members who have already stepped up to help others. We appreciate your dedication to the wellbeing of not only our fellow South Africans, but also the economy.

Download the SAICA guide for businesses setting out the tax relief measures available to you due to the unrest in SA and other various tax implications that you should be aware of in this regard.

Download the requirements for applications for the duty-free importation of goods by domestic manufacturers whose manufacture of goods has been significantly impacted by the unprecedented scope and impact of the recent civil unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng

Dr Sharon Smulders from SAICA talking on the Big Small Business Show about the tax implications and incentives that are available for small businesses who were affected by the recent riots in South Africa.

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