Fund Name

Bakubung ESD Fund

Agency

NEF

Type

Loans & Equity

Sector

Infrastructure

Summary

The NEF and Bakubung Platinum Mine (BPM) Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) Fund is a R3 million funding partnership supporting black-owned businesses in the Ledig, Mahobieskraal and Phatsima villages of North West province to enter and grow within Bakubung Platinum Mine’s supply chain.

1. Background

The NEF/BPM Enterprise and Supplier Development Fund is a funding partnership between Bakubung Platinum Mine and the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) valued at a total R3 000 000 for the benefit of businesses located in Ledig, Mahobieskraal and Phatsima villages in the North West province.

2. Strategic Objectives of the NEF BPM ESD Fund

The partnership is designed to enhance the participation of black entrepreneurs in the Bakubung Platinum Mine value chain and accelerate transformation within the company’s core business by:

  • Facilitating sustainable partnerships between established Bakubung Platinum Mine suppliers, cooperatives, and black-owned Small, Micro, and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) with an annual turnover below R50 million.
  • Empowering cooperatives and Exempted Micro Enterprises (EMEs) with an annual turnover below R10 million, in alignment with Bakubung Platinum Mine’s core operations.
  • Supporting black-owned and managed companies that meet the Historically Disadvantaged Persons (HDP) criteria as defined in the Mining Charter, including both existing and new suppliers within Bakubung Platinum Mine’s value chain.
  • Expanding the participation of designated groups in Bakubung Platinum Mine’s supply chain.
  • Ensuring meaningful inclusion of host communities, in line with the company’s Mining Charter and B-BBEE commitments, by allocating procurement opportunities to qualifying beneficiaries.
  • Providing sustainable support to black-owned enterprises through targeted non-financial interventions.

Who this is for?

This fund is specifically for black-owned and managed businesses located in or around the Bakubung Platinum Mine host communities:

  • Businesses in Ledig, Mahobieskraal and Phatsima villages in North West province
  • Black-owned SMMEs with an annual turnover below R50 million
  • Cooperatives and Exempted Micro Enterprises (EMEs) with an annual turnover below R10 million
  • Companies that meet the Historically Disadvantaged Persons (HDP) criteria as defined in the Mining Charter
  • Existing and new suppliers seeking to participate in Bakubung Platinum Mine’s supply chain
  • Women-owned and youth-owned enterprises from host communities are encouraged to apply

What support/funding you can get

The fund has a total value of R3 000 000, administered jointly by the NEF and Bakubung Platinum Mine as an Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) initiative. The fund provides grant-based or concessional support to qualifying businesses. An application form is available for download from the NEF website.

  • Total fund size: R3 million
  • Funding type: Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) grant/support
  • Targeted at SMMEs and EMEs linked to the Bakubung Platinum Mine supply chain

What you can use it for?

Funding and support under the NEF/BPM ESD Fund may be used for:

  • Business expansion to participate in or grow within the Bakubung Platinum Mine supply chain
  • Capacity building and non-financial business support (technical skills, operational support)
  • Enabling businesses to meet supplier requirements for the mining sector
  • Facilitating entry into sustainable partnerships with established mine suppliers

Key requirements and conditions

To qualify for the NEF/BPM ESD Fund, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • The business must be located in Ledig, Mahobieskraal or Phatsima villages, North West province
  • The business must be black-owned and managed, meeting HDP criteria as defined in the Mining Charter
  • SMMEs must have an annual turnover below R50 million
  • Cooperatives and EMEs must have an annual turnover below R10 million
  • The business must be aligned with or seeking to participate in Bakubung Platinum Mine’s value chain
  • The business must contribute to the mine’s B-BBEE and Mining Charter commitments

How the application works

To apply for the NEF/BPM ESD Fund:

  • Download the Bakubung Fund Guidelines to understand full eligibility and requirements
  • Download the Bakubung Fund Application Form
  • Complete the application form with all required information and supporting documents
  • Submit your application to the NEF for review
  • Applications are assessed against the fund’s strategic objectives and eligibility criteria

What to prepare before you start

Before applying, prepare the following:

  • Proof that your business is located in Ledig, Mahobieskraal or Phatsima (e.g., address documentation)
  • Proof of black ownership and HDP status (as defined in the Mining Charter)
  • Company registration documents (CIPC)
  • Most recent financial statements or management accounts
  • Annual turnover evidence (to confirm below R50m for SMMEs or below R10m for EMEs/cooperatives)
  • Business plan describing your operations and link to the mining supply chain
  • Tax clearance certificate
  • Details of any existing supplier relationships with Bakubung Platinum Mine or its supply chain

Am I a fit for this particular fund?

You likely qualify if:

  • Your business is located in Ledig, Mahobieskraal or Phatsima in North West province
  • Your business is black-owned and meets the Mining Charter’s HDP criteria
  • Your annual turnover is below R50 million (for SMMEs) or below R10 million (for cooperatives/EMEs)
  • You operate in or are seeking to enter Bakubung Platinum Mine’s value chain
  • Your business is part of a designated group (women, youth, persons with disabilities, etc.) from the host community

You likely do not qualify if:

  • Your business is not located in Ledig, Mahobieskraal or Phatsima villages
  • Your business is not black-owned or does not meet the HDP criteria
  • Your annual turnover exceeds R50 million (SMMEs) or R10 million (cooperatives/EMEs)
  • Your business has no connection to or interest in the Bakubung Platinum Mine supply chain
  • Your business is not based in North West province

Quick facts

Overview

  • Agency: National Empowerment Fund (NEF)
  • Product name NEF/BPM Enterprise and Supplier Development Fund
  • What this is: A R3 million ESD funding partnership between the NEF and Bakubung Platinum Mine to support black-owned businesses in host communities to participate in the mine's supply chain
  • Geographic scope: Ledig, Mahobieskraal and Phatsima villages, North West province

Who this is for

  • Eligible applicant type: Black-owned SMMEs (turnover below R50m) and cooperatives/EMEs (turnover below R10m) in host communities
  • Sector focus: Mining supply chain (Bakubung Platinum Mine value chain); sector of applicant not restricted
  • Business stage: Start-up, growing, and established businesses

Type of support

  • Is financial support provided: Yes
  • Support form: ESD grant and non-financial support

Funding parameters

  • Funding approach: Grant / Enterprise and Supplier Development
  • Funding range: Total fund R3 million (shared across qualifying applicants); individual amounts not publicly specified
  • Funding streams: Single ESD fund combining financial grant support and non-financial interventions (technical skills, capacity building, operational support)

What the support can be used for

  • Eligible use of support: Business expansion into mine supply chain, capacity building, technical skills development, partnerships with established suppliers
  • Ineligible use of support: Businesses not located in Ledig, Mahobieskraal or Phatsima villages; businesses not black-owned or not meeting HDP criteria; SMMEs with turnover above R50 million or EMEs/cooperatives with turnover above R10 million; businesses with no connection to the Bakubung Platinum Mine supply chain

Information you will need to provide

Proof that business is located in Ledig, Mahobieskraal or Phatsima (address documentation), proof of black ownership and HDP status (Mining Charter), company registration documents (CIPC), most recent financial statements or management accounts, annual turnover evidence, business plan describing operations and link to mining supply chain, tax clearance certificate, details of any existing supplier relationships with Bakubung Platinum Mine

Key requirements and conditions

The fund facilitates sustainable partnerships between established Bakubung Platinum Mine suppliers and qualifying SMMEs and cooperatives from host communities.

How it works

  • Application route: Download application form from NEF website and submit to NEF
  • Assessment focus: Black ownership (HDP criteria), location in host community, alignment with Bakubung Platinum Mine value chain, B-BBEE and Mining Charter compliance

Contact and routing

www.nefcorp.co.za/products-services/bakubung-fund/

Additional information

The fund also includes non-financial interventions such as technical skills support. Both the guidelines and application form are available for download on the NEF website. The fund is specifically restricted to businesses in Ledig, Mahobieskraal and Phatsima villages.

Contact and routing

For enquiries about the Bakubung ESD Fund, contact the National Empowerment Fund:

Application Considerations:

What You Need to Prepare Before Applying

Most applications are delayed or declined due to incomplete submissions. Preparing the items below upfront will significantly improve your chances.

Core documents (required for almost all funds)

  • Company registration documents
  • Ownership and shareholder information
  • Business plan or project description
  • Recent financial statements or management accounts
  • Project budget and cost breakdown

Project‑specific documents (depending on the fund)

  • Quotes for equipment, infrastructure, or services
  • Feasibility study or technical proposal (where required)
  • Energy solution proposal (for energy‑related funds)
  • Export contracts or buyer information (for export and insurance products)
  • Job creation plan (where applicable)
  • Turnaround or recovery plan (for distress funding)

Additional requirements

  • Proof of sector compliance or permits (where relevant)
  • Evidence of co‑funding or financing approvals (for grants and blended funding)
  • Any templates or declarations specified by the administering agency

What Happens After You Apply

  1. Completeness check – your submission is reviewed to ensure all required documents are included.
  2. Eligibility assessment – the agency confirms that you meet the fund’s basic criteria.
  3. Technical and financial review – your project and financials are evaluated.
  4. Decision and contracting – approved applications proceed to contracting and implementation.

Timelines vary by fund and depend heavily on the quality and completeness of your application.

Important Notes for Applicants

  • Approval is not guaranteed, even if all requirements are met.
  • Funding terms may be subject to final agency approval and conditions.
  • Submitting accurate and complete information is critical.
  • Misrepresentation or incomplete information can result in delays or rejection.

Interested in this fund or have some questions?

Online Enquiry

Direct Enquiry

General Enquiries

Email Address:
enquiries@nefcorp.co.za

Contact Numbers:
0861 843 633 / 011 305 8000

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