Masisizane Fund

“Funding exists, but many businesses are not ready to access it.”

Our CEO, Ndumiso Zulu, joined Kaya 959 Biz with Gugulethu Mfuphi to unpack the realities behind SME funding in South Africa.

In this Kaya Biz conversation, Ndumiso unpacks:
• Why many businesses struggle to secure funding
• The critical role of investment readiness
• How support beyond funding unlocks sustainable growth

At Masisizane Fund, we believe funding is a partnership, combining capital with the tools, support and guidance entrepreneurs need to succeed.

🎧 Listen to the full interview: https://on.soundcloud.com/QoB2yi0zJe13cGFUiF

Ndumiso Zulu on Kaya Biz with Gugulethu Mfuphi | 22 June 2026 Old Mutual's Group Social Investments CEO, Ndumiso Zulu sat on a panel discussion hosted by Kaya FM's Gugu Mfuphi, unpacking SME Funding in South Africa.

“We need to start seeing young people as job creators, not job seekers.”

A powerful reminder from Ndumiso Zulu.

Entrepreneurship goes beyond starting a business; it’s about identifying problems and delivering meaningful solutions, and it’s a skill that can be developed from an early age.

Real change becomes possible when we begin early, shaping mindsets at home, in classrooms, and across our communities.
What do you think: should entrepreneurship be taught from school

What do you think: should entrepreneurship be taught from school level?

Read more here:

Time for a refreshed curriculum? ‘Misaligned’ education system delaying entrepreneurship In this episode, the CEO of Group Social Investments at Old Mutual, Ndumiso Zulu, says learning to speak business should start in the classroom to build early confidence, financial literacy, and opportunity-seeking behaviour.

We’re scaling our support for South African SMMEs by partnering with financial institutions committed to driving real economic transformation.

Through Masisizane Fund, Old Mutual South Africa provides wholesale funding to regulated specialist lenders and non-bank financial institutions that share our dedication to responsible lending, credit discipline, sustainable job creation and the maintenance of strong risk management and governance standards.

Are you a financial partner ready to make greater impact? We invite you to view our partnership criteria and submit your proposal to help us scale finance for those who need it most.

Learn more here: https://www.oldmutual.co.za/business/solutions/masisizane/wholesale-funding/

Last week, we had the opportunity to participate in the Empowa Entrepreneurs Funding Summit 2026, which brought together entrepreneurs, funders, and policymakers to have meaningful, collaborative discussions on unlocking access to capital.

As part of the programme, Ndumiso Zulu contributed to an executive panel discussion unpacking what it takes to support businesses across every stage of growth.

Conversations like these are essential if we are serious about closing funding gaps and building a more inclusive, scalable entrepreneurial ecosystem in South Africa.

Thank you to Simphiwe Masiza and the team at EmpowaWorx for convening such a purposeful space, and to the entrepreneurs who continue to drive innovation and resilience.

Ahead of Youth Month, Old Mutual’s Social Investments CEO, Ndumiso Zulu sat with 702's Stephen Grootes to unpack youth unemployment and the importance of supporting entrepreneurs.

Ndumiso highlights the “readiness gap” in funding as a core challenge for the SME sector and shares how Masisizane Fund equips new business owners with the financial know-how to engage confidently with investors.

Old Mutual South Africa

Ndumiso Zulu on The Money Show with Stephen Grootes | 28 May 2026 Listen to Ndumiso Zulu on The Money Show with Stephen Grootes | 28 May 2026 by Masisizane Fund on

We’re scaling our support for South African SMMEs by partnering with financial institutions committed to driving real economic transformation. Through Masisizane Fund, Old Mutual South Africa provides wholesale funding to regulated specialist lenders and non-bank financial institutions that share our dedication to responsible lending, credit discipline, sustainable job creation and the maintenance of strong risk management and governance standards.

Are you a financial partner ready to make greater impact? We invite you to view our partnership criteria and submit your proposal to help us scale finance for those who need it most.

Learn more here: https://www.oldmutual.co.za/business/solutions/masisizane/wholesale-funding/

[LISTEN] Ndumiso Zulu, CEO of Group Social Investments at Old Mutual South Africa, speaks to Jeremy Maggs about how better funding support, mentorship and market access can help SMEs tackle South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis. ~ via Moneyweb

https://www.moneyweb.co.za/in-depth/old-mutual-investment-group/how-old-mutual-helps-smes-become-the-job-creators-the-country-needs/

How Old Mutual helps SMEs become the job creators the country needs From an investment perspective ‘after we give you the money, we then monitor and support you,’ explains Ndumiso Zulu, CEO of Group Social Investments.

Old Mutual warns geopolitical tensions are tightening conditions for SME funding

Old Mutual South Africa

Old Mutual warns geopolitical tensions are tightening conditions for SME funding "The risk is not only what businesses are facing now, but how prepared they are for what comes next. SMEs that adapt early, protect cash flow and make informed funding decisions are far better placed to weather prolonged uncertainty," says Ndumiso Zulu, C

Masisizane Fund was proud to serve as the venue sponsor for the 2026 Business to Brand Summit, a powerful two-day gathering of South Africa’s leading brand thinkers, marketers, and business builders.

Hosted at Mutual Place in Sandton, the summit brought together industry leaders to explore the intersection of brand, growth, and economic impact from corporate brand leadership to the realities of scaling emerging businesses.

We’re grateful to Pat on Brands for offering Masisizane the opportunity to engage with this esteemed group of individuals.

On Day 1, Siyabonga Zungu joined a panel unpacking how brand partnerships can create real business value, a critical conversation in a market where collaboration is increasingly becoming a growth lever.

On Day 2, Thabang Hleza contributed to the discussion titled “Funding Without Fantasy: What It Really Takes to Finance Growth”, grounding the conversation in the realities faced by entrepreneurs and funders alike.

These engagements reflect our ongoing commitment to supporting entrepreneurs not just with funding, but with insight, platforms, and partnerships that enable sustainable growth.

Thank you to Pat on Brands for curating a relevant and forward-looking programme, and to all brands, speakers and attendees who made the conversations meaningful.