Old Mutual recently marked the graduation of businesses from its Accelerator Programme – a milestone that reflects continued progress in supporting South African small businesses with the skills, structure, and confidence they need to grow sustainably.
The graduation celebrates the completion of a development journey and speaks to Old Mutual’s broader commitment to investing in entrepreneurs as drivers of economic participation, job creation, and resilience within the communities they serve.
Why small businesses matter to South Africa’s future
Small and medium-sized enterprises play a vital role in South Africa’s economy. They create opportunities where formal employment is limited, support local value chains, and enable more people to participate meaningfully in economic activity. Yet as these businesses grow, many entrepreneurs face complex challenges – from managing cash flow and compliance to strengthening operations and making informed strategic decisions.
Old Mutual’s approach recognises that sustainable growth requires more than funding alone. Entrepreneurs also need access to skills, guidance, and practical tools that help them build strong foundations and adapt as their businesses evolve, and that’s why the Accelerator Programme aims to empower participants with holistic knowledge and skill development.
A programme designed around real business needs
Driven by Old Mutual through its Mass and Foundation Markets Cluster (MFC), the Accelerator Programme combines funding with hands-on development support. Participants move through a structured journey that includes pre-investment readiness, active business development during the investment phase, and continued guidance as their businesses mature.
The focus is on strengthening the fundamentals that allow businesses to grow responsibly – governance, financial management, strategy, and operational discipline – while equipping entrepreneurs to navigate complexity with greater clarity.
According to Edith Jiya, Managing Director for Old Mutual Retail Mass Market, this approach reflects Old Mutual’s long-term view of how small businesses contribute to inclusive growth.
“When small businesses are supported in the right way, the impact reaches far beyond the business owner,” says Jiya. “They create jobs, support families, and help strengthen local economies. The Accelerator Programme is one of the ways Old Mutual helps entrepreneurs build businesses that make a positive difference in their communities.”
Learning that reshapes how entrepreneurs lead
For many participants, the programme represents a shift in how they think about leadership and growth. Through practical sessions, mentoring, and exposure to relevant tools and service providers, entrepreneurs are encouraged to assess how their businesses operate and where improvements can unlock future growth.
Ronald Mabelebele, one of the recent graduates, says the programme changed how he approaches building a stronger organisation.
“It changed how we look at the business,” he says. “We’ve improved our recruitment and marketing, and we’re far more focused on retaining both our agents and our clients as we grow.”
Thami Ngubeni, also a graduate of the programme, describes the experience as a pivotal reset that brought renewed discipline, and strategic coherence to her business planning.
“The programme equipped us with strong foundational tools to pursue our growth objectives with intention,” she explains. “It sharpened our focus on systems, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability, while the exposure to relevant technologies and service providers proved both timely and practical.”
She adds that the experience strengthened her leadership perspective, reinforcing the value of intentional decision-making and providing the clarity needed to steward growth with confidence and purpose.
A long-term commitment to inclusive growth
The Accelerator Programme forms part of Old Mutual’s wider commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses as contributors to inclusive economic growth. By investing in capability and sustainability, Old Mutual aims to enable more South Africans to build resilient businesses that can continue creating value well beyond the initial investment period.
As the latest cohort moves forward after graduation, Old Mutual remains focused on supporting entrepreneurs as long-term partners – helping them build businesses that strengthen communities, create employment, and contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s economic future.