Stand up against economic exclusion: Oppose the proposed Transformation Fund

South Africa needs real economic transformation — but the proposed R100 billion Transformation Fund will not deliver it. Instead of fostering broad-based, inclusive growth, the Fund prioritises race-based criteria that risk benefiting only a politically connected few, while leaving the majority of small businesses, regardless of race, behind.

Speak up, be heard, take a stand!

We believe in a South Africa where every entrepreneur, regardless of race, has access to the tools, funding, and opportunities needed to grow their business and uplift their community.

This campaign calls for a united response: let’s demand a transformation policy that grows the entire economy — not just a select segment of it.

More about this fund

Key concerns with the Transformation Fund:

  1. Excludes Thousands of Entrepreneurs: The Fund’s criteria are racially restrictive, shutting out thousands of South African entrepreneurs who don’t meet specific demographic definitions. This undermines the principle of equal opportunity and fails to support the full potential of our entrepreneurial ecosystem.

  2. Misses the Bigger Picture: Economic development should not be a zero-sum game. Real transformation means helping all small businesses thrive — across all sectors, all communities, and all backgrounds — to build a truly inclusive economy.

  3. Risk of Mismanagement and Corruption: South Africa has previously experienced substantial financial losses due to corruption and inefficient regulations. Establishing a fund of this magnitude without stringent oversight mechanisms may lead to further financial waste and political cronyism, rather than true economic empowerment.

  4. No Clear Accountability Measures: With R100 billion at stake, there is a lack of detailed oversight and transparency in how the fund will be administered. Given past failures with similar schemes, there’s a real risk this fund could become another vehicle for political cronyism and elite enrichment.

What we're advocating for

  • Inclusive Growth for All:
    Transformation must mean uplifting everyone who’s working hard to build something — regardless of race. Our policies should aim to reduce inequality between the powerful and the powerless, not create new forms of exclusion.

  • Support for All Small Businesses:
    Whether you’re a spaza shop in Limpopo, a farm cooperative in the Karoo, or a tech startup in Cape Town — your business deserves access to fair support. South Africa’s future lies in empowering entrepreneurs across the board.

  • Transparent and Accountable Economic Policy:
    We call for robust oversight, clear reporting mechanisms, and the involvement of independent civil society watchdogs in any state-funded economic programme of this size.

  • A Development Plan That Uplifts the Country as a Whole:
    We must focus on infrastructure, education, skills development, and access to finance across all communities to foster long-term, sustainable economic growth for South Africa as a whole.

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