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National Empowerment Fund

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The National Empowerment Fund is a Development Funding Institution. For more information on the NEF visit www.nefcorp.co.za
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09/10/2026

SCALING ENTREPRENEURSHIP. CREATING LASTING IMPACT.

This morning, NEF Chief Financial Officer Mr Phumudzo Siphuma joined a small executive roundtable convened by the Take Charge Leadership Institute at 22 On Sloane, Johannesburg, focused on what it takes to scale sustainable businesses and create meaningful employment for young people.

The discussion brought together:

Mr Nyimpini Mabunda, Founder of Take Charge Leadership Institute and facilitator;

Mr Kizito Okechukwu, Executive Head, 22 On Sloane;

Ms Edna Montse, Group Chief Transformation and Sustainability Officer, African Bank;

Ms Zanele Matome, Founder and CEO, Welo Health;

Mr Sipho Ngcai, Group Executive: Business Development Services, SEDFA;

Ms Makhosazana Masilela, Executive, Transnet;

Mr Phumudzo Siphuma, Chief Financial Officer, National Empowerment Fund; and

Mr Rob Rogan, Head of SEED, Raizcorp.

The conversation centred on what has scaled successfully, what has held promising models back, and what could be done differently to achieve greater impact and long-term sustainability. It also explored how entrepreneurship support can translate into stronger businesses, sustainable jobs and measurable economic outcomes.

For the NEF, this is an important conversation as we continue to look at how finance, business support, market access and partnerships can help enterprises move beyond survival towards sustainable growth and employment creation.

08/10/2026

NEF Divisional Executive: Venture Capital and Corporate Finance, Mr Joel Mphela, joined Motsweding FM to discuss the UIF–NEF 1 Billion SMME Development and Employment Programme in SeTswana, which is implemented to support black-owned enterprises and drive sustainable job creation.

Through the programme, the UIF and NEF are deploying R1 billion in support of black-owned enterprises, with the ambition of achieving 30 000 employment outcomes.

# SMMEDevelopment # 1Billion

06/10/2026

Northern Cape businesses on the move

The Strata Mining Services grand opening in Kathu brought together more than one entrepreneurial story.

Among the NEF-supported businesses in the room were:

Letsogo Trading Enterprise | Kathu
Led by Kelebogile Maureen Khutswane, Letsogo is a 100% Black woman-owned construction business providing building maintenance, civil works, painting and equipment hire, with experience serving the regional mining economy.

Eden Est / House of Eden | Kimberley
Owned by Suemeney and Chaeslin Trollip, Eden Est operates in the hospitality sector, offering accommodation, conferencing, events and dining in Kimberley.

Kathu Industrial and Chemical Supplies | Kathu
A local enterprise serving the industrial economy in and around Kathu.

And, of course, the occasion itself belonged to Strata Mining Services, led by Mr and Mrs Paulos Ngcobo amd Ms Chrisna Basson, whose new facility marks another important step in the company’s growth. The NEF investment also supports 162 jobs!

These businesses represent only a small part of the NEF’s wider Northern Cape portfolio, but together they offer a glimpse of the enterprise activity taking shape across the province.

Different sectors. Different journeys. One province with a growing story of enterprise

06/10/2026

TUNE IN | UIF–NEF R1 BILLION PARTNERSHIP

This evening, Mr Joel Mphela, NEF Divisional Executive: Venture Capital and Corporate Finance, joins to unpack the UIF–NEF R1 billion SMME Development and Employment Partnership Programme.

The discussion will look at how the partnership seeks to strengthen enterprises while supporting skills development and measurable employment outcomes.

🕡 18:40
📅 Tuesday, 06 October 2026
📻 Konka Bokamoso

Tune in.

05/10/2026

A new facility. A growing enterprise. A partnership delivering visible impact in the Northern Cape.

The official opening of Strata Mining Services’ new facility in Kathu brought together the Northern Cape Provincial Government, the National Empowerment Fund, business leaders and other NEF-supported enterprises to celebrate a milestone in local enterprise growth.

The approximately R23.5 million development reflects the power of blended finance in supporting productive capacity, employment and deeper participation in the provincial economy.

The investment supports 162 employment opportunities, including construction jobs, new permanent jobs and existing jobs sustained.

Enterprise growth becomes meaningful when investment translates into assets, jobs and opportunity.

02/10/2026

Today, we are in Kathu, Northern Cape, to celebrate enterprise growth in action.

NEF investee Strata Mining Services officially opens its facility this evening — marking an important milestone for a black-owned enterprise building capacity and creating opportunity in the heart of one of South Africa’s key mining regions.

With R21.799 million in approved NEF funding and 96 permanent jobs supported, Strata demonstrates what becomes possible when development finance enables local enterprises to grow, strengthen their capabilities and participate meaningfully in established value chains.

We are honoured to be joined by Northern Cape MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Ms Venus Blennies-Magage, alongside provincial stakeholders and partners, as we celebrate this next chapter in Strata’s growth journey.

Growing enterprises. Supporting jobs. Building local economic participation.

01/10/2026

NEF TAKES FUNDING INFORMATION CLOSER TO ENTREPRENEURS

The National Empowerment Fund (NEF) remains committed to participating in platforms that bring funding information, opportunities and support closer to entrepreneurs and communities across the country.

On Tuesday, 29 September 2026, the NEF joined the Gauteng Department of Economic Development (GDED) at the Vul’amathuba Business Funding Hub, hosted at People’s Park, Constitution Hill.

Despite the rain, thousands of aspiring and existing entrepreneurs from across Gauteng came out to access information on jobs, skills, funding, business development, markets and valuable connections — demonstrating the appetite for opportunities that can help businesses start, grow and thrive.

As an exhibitor, the NEF engaged entrepreneurs throughout the event, sharing information about its funding solutions and helping business owners better understand the support available to take their enterprises to greater heights.

For the NEF, participating in information-sharing platforms such as Vul’amathuba is an important part of ensuring that entrepreneurs are not only aware of available funding opportunities but are also empowered with the information they need to access them.

We will continue to go where entrepreneurs are, taking information and opportunities closer to the people we are here to serve.

30/09/2026

BEYOND FUNDING | GIVING OUR INVESTEES A PLATFORM

Behind every business is an entrepreneur with a story worth hearing.

National Empowerment Fund (NEF)-funded entrepreneur Khosi Mthalane of Hotel 247 White River, features on The Conversation Capital, bringing her journey in hospitality and hotel ownership to a wider audience.

Her story puts a face to black women’s participation in the tourism sector and offers inspiration to entrepreneurs working towards their own business ambitions.

Through platforms such as The Conversation Capital, the NEF continues to support investees beyond funding by amplifying their stories, increasing their visibility and helping them connect with broader audiences.

🎙️ Discover the entrepreneur behind Hotel 247. Watch the full conversation on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oho5wtNhess

NEF — funding businesses. Building entrepreneurs. Creating opportunities.

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition South Africa Industrial Development Corporation

29/09/2026

📻 ON AIR | POWER FM 98.7

Tune in at 07:15 as NEF’s Mr Joel Mphela, Divisional Executive: Venture Capital and Corporate Finance, joins Bongi Gwala on the POWER Breakfast Show to discuss the UIF–NEF Partnership Programme and its focus on growing enterprises and creating sustainable employment opportunities.

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition South Africa Department of Employment and Labour Unemployment Insurance Fund POWER 98.7

29/09/2026

UIF–NEF R1 BILLION PARTNERSHIP PUTS SMME GROWTH AT THE CENTRE OF EMPLOYMENT CREATION

Small and growing enterprises are critical to unlocking sustainable employment and inclusive economic growth in South Africa.

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and National Empowerment Fund (NEF) have launched the UIF–NEF SMME and Employment Programme, a R1 billion partnership aimed at supporting enterprise growth while linking investment to measurable employment outcomes.

The programme recognises that businesses are better positioned to create and retain jobs when access to finance is supported by the capabilities, skills, markets and commercial opportunities they need to grow.

Speaking at the launch, Minister of Employment and Labour, Ms Nomakhosazana M**h, said addressing unemployment requires not only preparing people for existing vacancies, but growing businesses capable of creating new opportunities.

“If we want employment at scale, we must enable small businesses to start, survive and grow.”

Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Zuko Godlimpi, added: “Supporting the survival and growth of enterprises must itself be understood as an important employment strategy.”

Acting UIF Commissioner, Mr Thulani Tshefuta, said behind the R1 billion commitment are entrepreneurs seeking to expand, small businesses ready to employ more people, young people seeking their first opportunity and workers whose jobs can be protected.

NEF CEO, Mr Mziwabantu Dayimani, emphasised that impact will be the true measure of success:

“Our responsibility is to translate this commitment into credible, sustainable and measurable impact.”

Through this partnership, the UIF and NEF are putting enterprise growth at the centre of employment creation — building stronger businesses, expanding productive capacity and creating sustainable economic opportunities.

R1 billion. Growing enterprises. Creating opportunities. Supporting jobs.

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition South Africa Department of Employment and Labour Unemployment Insurance Fund

Address

70 Grayston Drive, Sandown
Sandton
2196

Opening Hours

Monday	09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday	09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday	09:00 - 17:00
Thursday	09:00 - 17:00
Friday	09:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+27861843633

Website

http://www.nefcorp.co.za/

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