Chief Executive Officer of the National Empowerment Fund, Muziwabantu Dayimani, says since the inception of the Tourism Transformation Fund (TTF), the Fund has approved 43 transactions valued at more than R510.51 million across nine provinces.
The TTF was established as a dedicated capital investment mechanism to accelerate transformation within South Africa’s tourism sector to drive more inclusive participation by black-owned enterprises, women-owned businesses, youth entrepreneurs and community-based tourism initiatives.
Dayimani was speaking during a panel discussion to promote transformation within the tourism sector at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre at the Africa Travel Indaba which commenced on Tuesday.
Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 is taking place from 11-14 May under the theme: “Unlimited Africa: Growing Africa’s Tourism Economy”.
Dayimani explained that the fund was established after it was realized that the pace of transformation within the sector had simply not moved fast enough.
“Today, the Tourism Transformation Fund continues to demonstrate the role that targeted developmental finance can play in advancing transformation within South Africa’s tourism sector,” he said.
Dayimani said the impact of the Fund continues to be visible in communities across the country. To date, the TTF has supported more than 1 485 jobs, including 751 new jobs created and 734 jobs preserved.
“These are not just statistics. Behind every number is a black entrepreneur. Behind every investment is a family, a community, a dream, and a future being rebuilt. Behind every lodge, boutique hotel, cruise operation, safari business or hospitality enterprise is a statement that economic transformation in South Africa is both possible and necessary.
“We are proud today to showcase Tourism Transformation Fund beneficiaries, who represent the next wave of transformed tourism enterprises in South Africa,” he said.
Dayimani said the businesses that received assistance represent more than tourism products -- they represent transformed ownership, resilience and the future of South African tourism.
“One of the important realities we must confront are the barriers facing emerging tourism entrepreneurs, particularly black-owned enterprises, women-owned businesses, youth-owned businesses, and enterprises operating in rural and township economies.
“We understand that transformation cannot merely be discussed in policy documents and conference rooms. It must be visible in ownership patterns. It must be visible in procurement. It must be visible in infrastructure development, and it must be visible in who participates meaningfully in the tourism economy,” Dayimani said.
Dayimani said opportunities within tourism are immense.
“South Africa possesses one of the world’s most diverse tourism offerings - from eco-tourism and heritage tourism to hospitality, conferencing, cultural tourism, marine tourism, safari tourism and destination experiences.
“But for the tourism economy to truly reflect the demographics and aspirations of our country, we need greater participation from black entrepreneurs.
“We need more black-owned lodges, more black-owned hotels, more black-owned tour operators, more youth-owned tourism technology businesses, more women-led hospitality enterprises and more community-owned tourism assets,” Dayimani said.
He encouraged entrepreneurs across the country to take advantage of the Tourism Transformation Fund during the 2026/2027 financial year.
“We urge businesses with commercially viable tourism projects to come forward and submit applications. The NEF and the Department of Tourism are committed to supporting sustainable tourism enterprises that can create jobs, stimulate local economies, and expand black participation within the sector,” he said.
The Tourism Transformation Fund is a South African initiative providing financial support to black-owned and managed tourism enterprises through grants, debt and equity financing.
The TTF aims to contribute to the transformation of the South African economy through Broad- Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) as a fundamental policy alongside imperatives such as the National Development Plan (NDP), the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP) of the country, as well as the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan.
Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 takes place as the continent commemorates Africa Month, providing an important platform to strengthen partnerships, and shape a more inclusive tourism future that benefits communities, entrepreneurs and nations. – SAnews.gov.za
