Fund celebrates paying R1 billion to transform funding for SMMEs
More than 13 000 jobs were created through assisting 400+ clients, with a bias towards women- and youth-owned businesses.
The Masisizane Fund (Masisizane), a leading developmental and transformational funder within the Old Mutual Group, is proud to announce the milestone of R1b in funds disbursed to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in SA since its inception in 2007.
Driven by a mandate to empower black-, women- and youth-owned businesses and enterprises in rural areas, Masisizane has been critical in fostering inclusive economic growth across SA.
Committed to diversity and transformation, the fund has successfully supported SMEs in vital sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, retail, technology and services.
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More than 13 000 jobs were created through assisting 400+ clients, with a bias towards women- and youth-owned businesses.
The Masisizane Fund is a non-profit funding entity providing enterprise development to SMEs through development financing and business support.
Speaking about this achievement, Masisizane CEO Ndumiso Zulu shared the organisation’s vision and dedication to promoting sustainable entrepreneurship in SA.
“Reaching R1b in disbursements is not just a financial milestone; it’s a testament to the power of inclusive development. Our focus has always been on empowering entrepreneurs historically excluded from economic opportunities,” said Zulu.
“We remain committed to transforming the SA SME landscape by providing funding and support to these groups.”
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Despite the remarkable progress, Zulu acknowledged the ongoing challenges SMEs face, especially being ready for and receiving funding.
“We’ve found that many entrepreneurs often struggle with meeting the funding requirements.
“Issues like incomplete business plans, a lack of formal financial systems, and gaps in operational management are recurring hurdles,” said Zulu.
“At Masisizane, we work to address these challenges by offering capacity-building and mentorship programmes to help entrepreneurs become funding-ready and able to scale their businesses effectively.”
As Masisizane looks to the future, the organisation is prioritising initiatives to help SMEs thrive in an increasingly digital and tech-driven economy. AI, automation and other technological advancements are expected to reshape the SME landscape globally, and SA’s developing economy must adapt to these shifts.
“Technology, especially AI, offers immense potential to enhance productivity, improve decision-making and open new avenues for growth in SMEs – even in rural and underserved areas,” noted Zulu.
“We are actively exploring ways to support businesses in adopting these technologies and staying competitive in a global economy. Our approach is to not only provide funding but also ensure SMEs have the tools and knowledge they need to embrace evolving markets,” he added.
