We are just coming out of what has turned out to be our deepest and most protracted recession. Our economy contracted by 6.4% in 2020. Further, as at June 2021 1.5 million jobs were shed. The South African government implemented a R500 billion package of economic relief aimed at mitigating the worst effects of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. This included social relief grants, credit guarantees with banks, and a range of sectorspecific relief. We implemented a Debt Relief Fund for SMMEs to provide relief on existing debts and repayments to assist SMMEs during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) has set up a centralised registration system (www.smmesa.gov.za) where all those in need of financial aid could register and submit requests for support. We have also been instrumental in providing relief to SMMEs affected by the violence and unrest in the KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces.