In a bold demonstration of public-private collaboration, leading investment manager 27four and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) have reaffirmed their shared commitment to unlocking South Africa’s full economic potential through the Transformation Fund.
This announcement follows a high-level engagement hosted by 27four, attended by the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Empowerment Fund (NEF), and the dtic’s Deputy-Director General for Transformation and Competition. The gathering brought together leaders in government and the finance sector, particularly managers of retirement funds, to chart practical pathways for advancing inclusive growth, driving industrialisation, and accelerating Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE).
The Transformation Fund, a collaborative initiative between the dtic, the NEF, and key industry partners, serves as a catalytic vehicle to finance black-owned and black-managed enterprises, with a focus on priority sectors that can deliver sustained job creation, industrialisation and competitiveness. Through targeted funding and strategic partnerships, the Fund aims to dismantle historical barriers to entry, enable greater participation in value chains, and position black-owned businesses at the forefront of South Africa’s economic growth story.
Speaking at the event, 27four reaffirmed its commitment to support the Fund, highlighting the alignment between its investment philosophy and South Africa’s transformation imperatives.
“We believe transformation is not a tick-box exercise—it is the foundation for a stronger, more resilient economy. The Transformation Fund is a powerful mechanism to ensure capital flows to where it is needed most: into the hands of talented entrepreneurs and industrialists who can create jobs, build industries, and
expand opportunity. We are proud to partner with the dtic and the NEF in making this vision a reality,” said Faitma Vawda, Managing Director of 27four.
The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Parks Tau, emphasised that partnerships of this nature are essential for the country’s growth trajectory:
“Government cannot achieve transformation alone. It is through collaboration with forward-thinking investment managers like 27four that we can deepen industrial capacity, unlock innovation, and ensure economic growth is shared by all South Africans. The Transformation Fund is a vehicle for tangible change, and today’s engagement signals our mutual commitment to driving it forward.”
The NEF’s CEO Mr Mzi Dayimane further underscored the urgency of mobilising capital for transformation:
“South Africa’s economic renewal depends on our ability to back black industrialists and entrepreneurs with the funding, networks, and market access they need to thrive. With 27four’s expertise and the dtic’s policy leadership, we are better positioned than ever to accelerate inclusive economic growth.”
The event concluded with a strong consensus: partnership is the lever that will translate policy into progress. Both the dtic and 27four reiterated their determination to deepen collaboration in implementing the Transformation Fund, with a focus on measurable impact, scalable projects, and sustained economic transformation.
Media Enquiries:
Kaamil Alli – Ministerial Spokesperson
Mobile: +27 82 520 6813
WhatsApp: +27 82 520 6813
E-mail: KAlli@thedtic.gov.za
OR
27four Media Relations
Khwezi Khumalo – Media Relations
E-mail: Khwezi@27four.com
Tel: +27 11 442 2464
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