Public Campaign Against Gender-Based Violence

In 2020, The Masisizane Fund joined the campaign to reach out to individuals and organizations around the country to act on the call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls. Crucial to this initiative was the creation of economic opportunities for women-owned enterprises.

Masisizane Fund became a member of the Task Team on “Empowering Women through Public Procurement”, organized by the Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

The Fund took on a training initiative in the Limpopo province, actively addressing economic opportunities for women-owned enterprises and contributing to Pillar 5 of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. Pillar 5 sets out to address the economic and social position by providing access to economic opportunities.

“This training is geared at empowering and preparing women to access and benefit from public procurement. Businesses cannot become competitive and sustainable when we keep leaving women behind when rolling out such initiatives”, said Lebogang Serithi, CEO of Masisizane Fund.

Lebogang further called on South Africans to heed the calls for global actions to increase awareness, galvanize advocacy efforts and share knowledge and innovations. Through effective partnership efforts, a prosperous South Africa with a common vision will develop.

Masisizane Fund is committed to a comprehensive transformation of South Africa through the promotion of entrepreneurship, enterprise finance and support to small, micro and medium enterprises, particularly those led by women and youth.

SMTAX Transire Accelerator Programme Launched

Masisizane Fund ended the year on a high note with the launch of a custom-made business accelerator programme called SMTAX Transire, rolled out in partnership with SMTAX Digital Accounting (Pty) Ltd (SMTAX). SMTAX is a 100% black youth-owned digital accounting and tax service provider that aims to improve financial inclusion opportunities whilst using technology as a main tool for a greater impact within the SMME sector.

SMTAX Transire is a business accelerator offering that supports SMMEs through their entrepreneurial journey with pre-investment support such as business planning, due diligence services and feasibility studies, as well as training, mentorship and coaching. The programme is backed by world-class digital business support services tailored to SMMEs at different stages of the business lifecycle.

Officially opening the launch, Portia Zilwa, Head Investment: Business Development for Masisizane Fund recounted the journey Masisizane Fund took with SMTAX to get to this point. She emphasized her confidence in SMTAX capacity to successfully deliver the programme. Portia further said, “Masisizane Fund’s ultimate goal is to help businesses to scale sustainably. Through this unique partnership, businesses will benefit from enterprise support and training that improves skills and helps them grow”.

Seasoned entrepreneur and Chartered Accountant Andile Khumalo delivered a keynote address. He shared nuggets of wisdom around the benefits of business support post the pandemic. Andile outlined features of Covid-19 that include low economic growth, general industry disruption and loss of employment. He also shared opportunities available for SMMEs and encouraged businesses to avoid being static and become flexible to venture into other areas relevant in the current environment. As Andile rightly put it: “Navigate your way out of this pandemic. Beggars can’t be choosers. We need to be able to survive to get support. Entrepreneurs should generate revenue, keep costs low and deliver a profit. You can always go back to your big concepts after the pandemic. Cash is king. The pandemic won’t last forever”.

By supporting SMTAX on this initiative, Masisizane Fund aims to bridge the gap between funding and business support services. Through this partnership, we get to support SMMEs in their entrepreneurial journey in a unique way. We assist SMMEs to transition their businesses in a sustainable way, through facilitating financial education and access to market.