The Sourcefin Brief Week Ending 5 May 2026
South Africa's weekly SMME intelligence brief – funding conditions, knowledge hub picks, key headlines, and tender radar for the week ending 5 May 2026.
On this page
Fuel Levy Extended – But May Prices Jump Sharply. This week’s Brief covers funding conditions, open tenders on the radar, new Knowledge Hub articles, a tip of the week and a worked example of Sourcefin funding.
This week’s theme
Fuel Levy Extended – But May Prices Jump Sharply
This Week’s Theme
Fuel prices climb
The government extended its temporary fuel levy reduction through to 2 June 2026, keeping the discount at 300 cents per litre on petrol. Despite the relief, prices still jumped sharply from 6 May – 95 Unleaded rose by R3.27 per litre, driven by international oil price movements that outpaced the levy cushion. The relief halves in June and falls away entirely from 1 July, so now is the time to revise transport cost assumptions in project bids and fleet budgets.
VAT threshold changes
From 1 April 2026, the VAT registration threshold increased to R2.3 million. This change allows some SMMEs to consider deregistering from VAT, potentially simplifying their administration. However, there are exit VAT costs and implications for cash flow to consider, which businesses need to understand before making any decisions.
B-BBEE compliance focus
The focus on B-BBEE compliance for government tenders remains strong, with updated guidelines reinforcing the preference point system for SMMEs. Certification and accurate affidavits are vital for businesses bidding on public sector work. Keeping your B-BBEE status current and understanding how it affects your tender scores is a continuous requirement.
What to do next: Review your operational budgets immediately to account for the fuel price increase, and assess your VAT registration status against the new R2.3 million threshold. Ensure your B-BBEE certification is current and accurately reflects your enterprise status for upcoming bids.
Two moves worth making this week:
Two moves worth making this week:
Refer and earn
Know an SMME we should fund? Refer them and earn when their deal closes.
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Funding conditions
What the market looks like this week
SA prime rate
The SARB held rates at the most recent MPC decision; the next decision is expected in May 2026. Borrowing costs remain in a moderately restrictive stance.
Yahoo Finance · 5 May 2026, 12:50 CAT
Despite an extended fuel levy reduction, petrol prices rose sharply from 6 May – driven by international oil movements that outpaced the relief. Transport-dependent SMMEs should update fleet cost assumptions now and plan ahead: the levy relief halves in June and ends in July.
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Tender radar
Open tenders relevant to your business
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Electricity, Gas, Steam And Air Conditioning
Air Conditioner Maintenance Services Provider Appointment
Air Traffic and Navigation Services Company Limited · Gauteng · Closes 8 May 2026
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Other Service Activities
Supply and Delivery of Gaskets and Seals
ESKOM · Gauteng · Closes 8 May 2026
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Legal And Accounting Activities
Legal Services Panel
South African Revenue Service · Gauteng · Closes 8 May 2026
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Security And Investigation Activities
Tactical Armed Response Security Services
TSHWANE AUTOMOTIVE SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE · Gauteng · Closes 8 May 2026
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Services: Professional
Expert Support for GRAP 104 Financial Instruments
Accounting Standards Board · Gauteng · Closes 8 May 2026
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Other Service Activities
Lifting Equipment Inspection and Repair Services
Rand Water · Gauteng · Closes 11 May 2026
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Services: Professional
Internal Audit Services for NERSA – 5 Year Contract
National Energy Regulator of South Africa · National · Closes 8 May 2026
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Other Professional, Scientific And Technical Activities
Service Provider for Pressure Vacuum Vents
South African National Petroleum Company · Western Cape · Closes 8 May 2026
TenderCentral
TenderCentral tracks open tenders across government and the private sector. Won one? Sourcefin funds fulfilment – no collateral, fast turnaround.
Need Funding This Week?
A purchase order in hand or invoices waiting on payment?
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New on Sourcefin’s Knowledge Hub
Top picks from this week’s articles
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2026-04-29 | Business Advice | Fuel | In the News
Fuel Levy Repayment 2026 South Africa: Practical SMME Plan
Fuel levy repayment 2026 South Africa: how Treasury is funding the R6 billion gap, what changes after May 5, and a practical SMME planning checklist.
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2026-05-05 | Business Advice
VAT Registration Threshold 2026: Essential SMME Guide
From 1 April 2026, South Africa’s VAT registration threshold rose to R2.3 million. Here’s who can now deregister, what exit VAT costs, and what to do next.
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2026-05-05 | Business Advice | Purchase Order Funding | Tender Smarter
Government Tenders B-BBEE South Africa: Practical 2026 Guide
How B-BBEE certification, preference points, EME and QSE sworn affidavits, and tender mobilisation funding work together for South African SMMEs in 2026.
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Tip of the week
With fuel prices rising despite temporary levy relief, revise your transport costs in all current and future project bids now – and plan for steeper increases as the levy reduction halves in June and ends entirely in July.
Accurately reflecting increased fuel expenses is crucial for maintaining profitability on contracts where transport is a major cost.
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This week’s case
Sourcefin funding · Deal size: R4.2m
Security firm covers wages while client pays slowly
A national security firm secured a contract with a large government department but faced 90-day payment terms for their invoices. They needed to pay guards weekly and cover operational expenses daily. Invoice discounting provided an upfront cash advance on their approved invoices. This allowed the firm to meet payroll and maintain services without interruption, bridging the gap until the department paid.
This is a fictional illustration of how Sourcefin’s products are typically used. Names and figures are not real.
Built for the SMME journey
Every business started with an idea and the drive to deliver. Sourcefin stands alongside South African entrepreneurs, providing the working capital to turn confirmed orders into delivered projects. We believe in your ability to build, grow, and contribute to our economy, one successful deal at a time.
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Sourcefin is a South African alternative finance provider that offers purchase order funding and invoice discounting to SMMEs, enabling businesses to fulfil confirmed purchase orders or tenders and unlock cash flow without collateral. Unlike traditional lenders or banks, Sourcefin also provides end-to-end support including supplier sourcing, logistics, project management, and risk oversight.
