NEF’s Tourism Transformation Fund empowers inclusive growth in the tourism sector
Diana Kinyanjui 
As Tourism Month draws to a close, the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) is proud to reflect on the impact of the Tourism Transformation Fund (TTF) in driving inclusive growth and transformation across South Africa’s tourism sector.
Established in partnership with the Department of Tourism, the TTF is a dedicated capital investment funding mechanism designed to transform South Africa’s tourism sector by supporting black-owned enterprises. The Fund catalyses the growth of youth, women, and community-owned enterprises, ensuring that inclusive participation drives the sector forward.
The TTF provides a blended finance model of grant funding, debt finance and equity contributions. Grant funding is capped at 50% of project cost up to a maximum of R5 million per beneficiary. The Fund was initially capitalised with R120 million in grant funding from the Department of Tourism and was recapitalised in 2024/25 with an additional R100 million in grant funding to meet rising demand for the TTF thus bringing the Department of Tourism’s total grant funding allocation to R220 million.
Some of the successful businesses that have benefited from the fund include the ZAD Hiring (Eastern Cape), Nare Hotel (Northern Cape), Rensia Palace and Spa (Limpopo), Graskop Gorge Lift Co. (Mpumalanga), and Tautona (North West), to mention a few.
Commitment to Sustainable Transformation
“TTF started in 2017 and has approved funding for businesses in excess of R270 million across the country, supporting more than 1000 jobs, with 23 businesses, boasting 76% black women ownership. South Africa has a wealth of tourist attractions, culture and heritage that can attract the tourist Rand to all our 9 provinces and grow an inclusive and transformed tourism sector.” NEF CEO, Mziwabantu Dayimani said.
As announced by Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, on 13 August 2025, this year’s tourism theme is “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation”. With this theme in mind, the TTF aims to transform and have a direct impact in the tourism sector, by assisting black-owned businesses, including a new breed of black youth, women and community-owned tourism enterprises operating in both urban, township and rural economies.
“Our goal at the NEF is to see these enterprises thrive, scale up, and create a lasting impact on the economy and communities across South Africa,” Mr Dayimani said.
Beneficiaries’ voices
ZAD Hiring (Eastern Cape)
“The financial support from The TTF has enabled us to expand our business by constructing a wedding venue and chapel, known as The Amber Venue, located in the Kidds Beach region of East London. This facility can accommodate events with up to 300 attendees, and we are now generating sustainable employment opportunities for the community,” said CEO Ms Catherine Dunjwa.
Graskop Gorge Lift Co. (Mpumalanga)
“The Fund’s R5 million grant made it possible to establish a world-class tourism attraction that now draws thousands of visitors to the Panorama Route each year,” said co-founder Mr Oupa Pilane.
SALM TEAM 
