NEDBANK TOP EMPOWERMENT 2026 PROGRAMME

DAY 1 |17 JUNE 2026 The Next Phase of Transformation: Inclusive, Investable, Impactful ​ 07:30 – 08:00

Registration & Refreshments

08:00 - 08:25

MODERATORS WELCOME |Clement Manyathela, Award-Winning Radio and Television Broadcaster

08:25 - 08:30

ORGANISERS WELCOME| Lee-Ann Bruce, Associate Publisher, Topco Media

08:30 - 08:55

MINISTER ADDRESS | The Next Phase: Why Transformation Must Be Investable and Impactful to Survive Transformation that loses money or changes nothing will not last. This keynote lays out the hard truth: the next phase of empowerment must deliver returns for investors and real outcomes for communities or it will fail. The Minister will explain why the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition is shifting from compliance to competitiveness and how businesses can stay ahead by making transformation work on the ground and on the balance sheet.

Speaker: Hon. Parks Tau, Minister, Department of Trade, Industry & Competition

08:55 - 09:00

PUBLICATION LAUNCH | 25 Years of Top Empowerment: Celebrating Legacy, Charting the Future For 25 years, the Top Empowerment publication has chronicled South Africa’s transformation journey, captured milestones and profiled pioneers. As we mark this milestone alongside the 50th anniversary of the June 16 Uprising, we unveil a special commemorative edition that reflects on the lessons of the past quarter-century while casting a bold gaze toward the future.

09:00 - 09:10

NEDBANK ADDRESS|Mfundo Nkuhlu, Group Chief Operating Officer, Nedbank

09:10 - 09:20

KEYNOTE ADDRESS | Lucretia Khumalo, Divisional Executive: Customer Support & Growth, IDC

09:30 - 09:45

MINISTER ADDRESS | Bridging the Opportunity Gap: Preparing Young South Africans for Meaningful Work South Africa's youth represent one of the country's greatest assets, yet many young people continue to face significant barriers to entering and succeeding in the labour market. Despite growing investments in education and skills development, a disconnect remains between the skills young people possess and the opportunities available in an evolving economy. Addressing this challenge requires a coordinated effort from government, business, educational institutions and civil society to create pathways that lead to sustainable and meaningful employment. The address will highlight the importance of aligning training programmes with industry needs, expanding access to opportunities and ensuring that young people are equipped with the capabilities required to thrive in a rapidly changing labour market.

Speaker: Hon. Nomakhosazana Meth, Minister, Department of Employment & Labour

09:45 - 10:15

PANEL DISCUSSION |Resetting the Transformation Agenda: Aligning Inclusion with Economic Reality South Africa’s transformation agenda is under pressure, from slow growth, rising inequality, and growing scepticism about impact. Many organisations are stuck between compliance fatigue and unclear outcomes.

This session confronts a critical question: what must fundamentally change for transformation to remain credible and effective?

The panel will explore how to shift from scorecard optimisation to real economic participation, prioritise high-impact interventions, and embed transformation into core business strategy - not as an adjunct, but as a driver of value creation. Expect a candid discussion on trade-offs, unintended consequences, and what it will take to restore momentum and legitimacy.

Panelists: ●​ Parmi Natesan, CEO, Institute of Directors in South Africa (IoDSA) ●​ Mziwabantu Dayimani, CEO, National Empowerment Fund(NEF) ●​ Mbali Phewa, Executive Head: Transformation, Nedbank

10:15 - 10:25

GOLD PARTNER ADDRESS |Shadi Chauke, Group Executive: Corporate Affairs & Sustainability, Sanlam

10:25 - 11:05 Hosted by Sanlam

PANEL DISCUSSION|Public-Private Partnerships: Scaling Funding Solutions for Youth Employment This panel focuses on the role of collaboration between government, corporates, and development funders in addressing unemployment. It will highlight how aligned funding strategies, incentives, and partnerships can scale support for SMMEs and unlock broader employment opportunities for young people.

Moderator: Thandeka Nkambule, Chief Transformation Officer, Sanlam Panelists: ●​ Ravi Naidoo, CEO, Youth Employment Service ●​ Skumsa Ntshanga, Head of Socio-Economic Transformation, SANParks ●​ Kaizer Moyane, CEO, Association for Savings & Investment South Africa (ASISA) ●​ Seapei Mafoyane, Head, 104+SMME Solution

11:05 - 11:20 11:20 - 11:50 11:50 - 12:05 Hosted by INSETA

FAST-TRACK NETWORKING RISE & GRIND | Coffee Break POWERTALK|Creating Leaders, Not Just Employees: Rethinking Skills Development for the Future Traditional skills development focuses on making people employable but the future demands more. This session argues for a fundamental shift: moving from training compliant workers to cultivate confident decision-makers, problem-solvers and entrepreneurs. Learn how to embed leadership, critical thinking and ownership mindsets into every level of learning because the next economy needs leaders, not just labour.

Speaker: Refilwe Matenche, Chairperson, INSETA

12:05 - 12:45

PANEL DISCUSSION |Women’s Leadership and Intergenerational Partnership in Local Government

Hosted by SALGA

This session brings together veteran women leaders from SALGA’s Women’s Commission with emerging voices from the SALGA Youth Commission in a shared conversation to celebrate 50 years since June 16, 1976 and 3 decades of women’s leadership in democratic local government while forging a new intergenerational partnership for the future. This session explores practical models for intergenerational collaboration: mentorship that flows both ways, joint decision-making structures and

succession planning that transfers power without losing wisdom. A celebratory, honest and future-focused conversation about how women and youth can co-lead the next 30 years.

Panelists: ●​ Dorah Marema, Portfolio Head: Municipal Sustainability, SALGA ●​ Nozibele Makanda, Portfolio Head: Health, Community Services & Inclusivity, SALGA ●​ Cllr Lucky Sele, National Chairperson, SALGA Youth Commission & Executive Mayor, Mogale City Municipality ●​ Cllr Faith Msibi, Mpumalanga Provincial Chairperson, SALGA Youth Commission & MMC: Finance, Emalahleni Municipality

12:45 - 13:05 Hosted by Greysun Media

FIRESIDE CHAT |The Silent Crisis: Child & Youth Mental Health as South Africa’s Next Economic Emergency Child and youth mental health is a growing but often overlooked crisis with serious social and economic implications for South Africa. Framed through the impactful Playgrounds initiative by Greysun Media, this fireside chat explores how early intervention, storytelling and accessible psychological support can play a transformative role in addressing deep-rooted emotional challenges. Moving beyond awareness, the conversation will highlight practical, scalable solutions like corporate CSI partnerships and school-based interventions underscoring why investing in young people’s mental wellbeing is essential to building a resilient future.

Speaker: Naledi Msibi, PR & Comms Director, Greysun Media & Author, Playgrounds

13:05 - 14:05 14:05 - 14:20

LUNCH BREAK FIRESIDE CHAT| Nedbank’s Commitment to Empowerment Financing Empowerment financing has long been a cornerstone of South Africa’s transformation agenda - yet questions remain about scale, sustainability, and real economic impact.

This session moves beyond theory to examine how Nedbank is structuring commercially viable, high-impact financing solutions that enable black-owned and black-led businesses to grow, compete, and participate meaningfully in the economy.

In this session, Oscar Siziba introduces a South African entrepreneur who built a successful business from scratch, and the bank that backed them before success was guaranteed. Through real stories, he explores what empowerment finance looks like in practice: not a transaction, but a long-term relationship with a bank willing to engage in the business, not just transact with it.

The discussion draws on the journey of the business founder, examining the setbacks, decisions and moments that shaped their growth, and the role Nedbank played in walking that road with them. The session challenges financial institutions to ask a harder question: Are you backing potential, or only funding proven performance?

Moderator: Oscar Siziba, Managing Executive: Commercial Banking & Mid-Corporate, Nedbank Business and Commercial Banking Panelists: ●​ Bongile Tsotetsi, Managing Director, Hamisa Engineering and Mining Group ●​ Stephen Phalatse, Director: Business Development, Hamisa Engineering and Mining Group

14:20 - 15:00

PANEL DISCUSSION |Who Gets to Define Transformation? A Conversation Across Generations The meaning of transformation has evolved across South Africa's democratic journey. How we define transformation determines what we prioritise, how we measure progress, who we hold accountable and ultimately, what we achieve. This panel brings together voices from different generations to explore how the meaning of transformation has evolved across South Africa's democratic journey and how these differing definitions shape our collective work today. Through honest, intergenerational dialogue, the session will confront the tensions, celebrate the shared aspirations and forge a path toward a common vision for the next 25 years.

Panelists: ●​ Dr Mathews Phosa, Celebrated SA Leader, Prominent Business Man and Attorney ●​ Nompendulo Mkhatshwa, Social Activist, Governance Practitioner & Former Member of Parliament ●​ Cllr Ilza Le Minnie, Western Cape Provincial Chairperson, SALGA Youth Commission & Councillor, Swartland Municipality Western Cape

PANEL DISCUSSION |Transformation in a Global Context: Aligning Capital, Policy and Inclusion South Africa’s transformation agenda does not exist in isolation - it is shaped by global capital flows, investor expectations, and international policy trends. Yet there is often a disconnect between global frameworks for inclusive growth and the realities of emerging markets. This session brings together voices from the diplomatic, international and corporate community to explore a critical question: how can global capital and cross-border partnerships better support meaningful economic inclusion in South Africa? The discussion examines how other markets are advancing

15:00 - 15:35

inclusive growth, what investors are really looking for, and how South Africa can position itself as both investable and transformative.

Moderator: Nontyatyambo Petros, Executive Head: Group Stakeholder Relations & Public Affairs, Nedbank Panelists: ●​ Bankole Osituyo, Senior Investment Officer, International Finance Corporation (IFC) ●​ Steffy Naicker, Group Transformation Manager, iOCO ●​ Lovelyn Nwadeyi, CEO, Chronicle Group

15:35 - 15:50

FIRESIDE CHAT |The Influence Economy: Media, Brands and the Business of Empowerment Local media platforms have long played a trusted role in shaping public discourse, informing communities and reflecting everyday realities. However, beyond their traditional role in news and entertainment they also hold significant untapped potential as drivers of economic participation and inclusion. This discussion will explore how strategic communication, commercial platforms and representation can be leveraged to unlock opportunities, create jobs and contribute more directly to inclusive economic development.

Speaker: John Bailey, CEO, Sunday World

15:50

Moderators Closing Remarks Conclusion : Day 1

DAY 2 |18 JUNE 2026 The Next Phase of Transformation: Inclusive, Investable, Impactful ​ 08:00 – 08:55

Registration & Refreshments

09:00 - 09:05

Moderators Opening Remarks: Clement Manyathela, Award Winning Radio and Television Broadcaster

09:05 - 09:10

NEDBANK ADDRESS| Deb Fuller, Group Executive: Human Resources, Nedbank

09:10 - 09:20

MINISTER ADDRESS |The Next Chapter of Economic Empowerment: Growth, Inclusion and Opportunity As South Africa navigates a complex global and domestic economic landscape, the need for sustainable growth and broader economic participation has never been greater. This keynote will provide a strategic overview of the country's economic outlook, key policy priorities and the opportunities that lie ahead to drive investment, create jobs and advance inclusive growth.

Speaker: Hon. Enoch Godongwana, Minister of Finance

09:20 - 09:30

GOLD PARTNER ADDRESS |Sithole Mbanga, CEO, SALGA

09:30 - 09:40

KEYNOTE ADDRESS | Rachel Masuku, Group Executive: Human Resources, SABC

09:40 - 10:20

PANEL DISCUSSION |Inclusive Funding: Ensuring Entrepreneurs Are Not Left Behind

Hosted by IDC

Despite the growing focus on entrepreneurship as a driver of economic growth and job creation, many entrepreneurs still face significant barriers when trying to access funding and business support. This session explores how funding models can become more inclusive, accessible and responsive to the realities faced by diverse entrepreneurs across South Africa. The panelists will examine how government, funders and the private sector can reduce barriers to access and create stronger support systems that enable entrepreneurs to grow, innovate and contribute to inclusive economic development.

Panelists: ●​ Karishma Govender, General Counsel, National Empowerment Fund(NEF) ●​ Livhu Mukhithi, Director: Policy & Institutional Management, Department of Trade, Industry and Competition ●​ Lucretia Khumalo, Divisional Executive: Client Support and Growth, IDC 10:20 - 10:35 Hosted by ABP

POWERTALK |Beyond Compliance: Professionalising the B-BBEE Industry for Sustainable Economic Transformation This session explores the importance of professionalising the B-BBEE industry to strengthen credibility, improve accountability and drive more meaningful economic transformation.

Moving beyond compliance, the discussion will examine how stronger standards, skills development and ethical implementation can support sustainable empowerment, economic inclusion and long-term impact.

Speaker: Yolandi Venter, Chairperson, Association of B-BBEE Professionals & CEO of the B4i Economic Empowerment Division, within The B4i Project

10:35 - 10:50 Hosted by Prescient Investment Management

POWERTALK |The Algorithm and the Agenda: AI, Innovation, and the Future of Transformation in Financial Services The opportunity SA firms are missing — Globally, diverse teams are proven to build better models. SA has a talent pool and a transformation imperative that, if connected properly, could be a genuine competitive advantage. Most firms are treating them as separate problems.

Speaker: Nasreen Hisham, Chief Operating Officer, Prescient Investment Management

10: 50 - 11:00 11:00- 11:20 11:20 - 12:00

FAST-TRACK NETWORKING RISE & GRIND | Coffee Break PANEL DISCUSSION |Beyond Box-Ticking: How ESG Accelerates B-BBEE Success B-BBEE is often treated as a local compliance burden while ESG is seen as a value driver.

This panel flips the script arguing that ESG can become a powerful engine for accelerating B-BBEE. This session explores how social procurement, just transition principles and governance standards can be leveraged to drive genuine ownership, inclusive supply chains and lasting economic transformation. Turning what is often perceived as a cost into a strategic advantage for South African business.

Panelists: ●​ ●​ ●​ ●​

Thandeka Nkambule, Chief Transformation Officer, Sanlam Pieter Du Plessis, Chief Executive Officer, Isanti Glass Bongie Mthunzi, Senior B-BBEE and Transformation Specialist, Diversifi Mokgadi Maloba, Lead: Operational Sustainability and Reporting, Nedbank

12:00 - 12:15

POWERTALK |18 Years of Building What Matters: Infrastructure That Powers Economies and Communities

Hosted by MCPM

Over the past 18 years, MCPM Group has contributed to some of Southern Africa’s critical infrastructure and development initiatives, from water security and engineering projects to transformative property developments. This session explores how infrastructure, when delivered with long-term vision and strategic partnerships, becomes more than construction; it becomes an economic enabler, a community catalyst, and a driver of sustainable growth. The discussion will reflect on lessons from projects such as the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, water infrastructure partnerships, and catalytic developments shaping the future of African cities and communities.

Speaker: Sizwe Mchunu, CEO & Chairperson, MCPM

12:15 - 12:30

POWERTALK |Digital Transformation Has a Halfway Problem

Hosted by Sourceworx

Very few South African organisations are starting from scratch. Most have meaningful technology investment behind them. What that has produced in many cases is an environment where modern and legacy systems are running alongside each other, where digital channels connect to back-end processes that were not built for them and where the transformation story being told publicly is a few steps ahead of the operational reality. That is not a failure. It is the natural consequence of building while operating, which is what every sector in this room is doing. What Masande wants to explore is what closing that gap actually requires. Not necessarily another large platform decision, but a clearer view of where the friction is, what is causing it and what the organisation needs to do to move from its current state to the one it is describing in its strategy. This connects naturally to the GNU’s digital service delivery agenda, to the financial services sector’s core banking and digital channel programmes and to the broader question of how infrastructure decisions made now will shape what is possible in three to five years.

Speaker: Masande Dyasi, Managing Director, Sourceworx

12:30 - 12:45

POWERTALK |From Informal to Investable: How Fintech is Unlocking South Africa's Entrepreneurial Economy South Africa's economic future will depend not only on creating new businesses, but on enabling existing entrepreneurs to grow, formalise and participate more meaningfully in the mainstream economy. Yet for many small businesses, barriers such as limited access to markets, payments infrastructure, financial services and data continue to constrain growth.

This session explores how technology is helping to remove these barriers by making it easier for entrepreneurs to transact, access financial services and build sustainable businesses.

Drawing on iKhokha's experience supporting thousands of merchants across South Africa, the session will examine the role of fintech in expanding economic participation, enabling business growth and creating pathways from informal enterprise to investable businesses.

At a time when transformation must increasingly demonstrate measurable economic impact, the discussion challenges us to rethink how innovation, digital inclusion and entrepreneurship can become powerful drivers of inclusive growth.

Speaker: Kerry Balshaw, Senior Service Designer & Product Strategist, iKhokha

12:45 - 13:00

POWERTALK |Energy Transition Through Localized Enterprise & Supplier Development

Hosted by Central Energy Fund

This session explores how South Africa’s energy transition can be accelerated by building strong, localised enterprise and supplier development ecosystems. Focusing on how inclusive procurement, skills development and support for emerging businesses can ensure that the shift to a more sustainable energy future also drives industrial growth, job creation and meaningful economic participation.

Speaker: Sesakho Magadla, Managing Director, SANPC Refinery

13:00 - 14:00 14:00 - 14:20

LUNCH BREAK FIRESIDE CHAT |What "Impact" Really Means Under the New Codes The mandatory M&E requirement demands that companies prove their ESD spend leads to measurable outcomes like job creation, turnover growth or sustainability. But how is impact measured? This panel moves beyond theory to discuss practical methodologies, baseline assessments, attribution challenges and the role of third-party verifiers. This session equips attendees with the practical guidance needed to navigate this shift, turning a regulatory challenge into an opportunity to strengthen both compliance credibility and genuine SMME development impact.

Panelists: ●​ Lebohang Letsela, Head: Monitoring and Evaluation, Tshikululu Social Investments ●​ Melaney Oldenhof, Senior Business Development Associate, B Lab Africa

14:20 - 15:00

PANEL DISCUSSION | The Employment Guarantee: A New Standard for Youth Programmes With youth unemployment exceeding 45%, South Africa cannot afford programmes that produce certificates but not careers. This session tackles the disconnect between training and real labour market demand focusing on how to redesign youth interventions around employment outcomes. It will explore practical models that create clear pathways into work through early employer involvement, hiring commitments, structured placement support and meaningful work experience ensuring opportunities lead to sustained employment, not just short-term placements.

Panelists: ●​ Dr. Nik Eberl, Chair, The Future of Jobs Summit ●​ Dr. Tabea Tshesane, Managing Director, Khulisane Academy and We Find Talent ●​ Kyle Wesemann, Transformation Executive, Labournet ●​ Stephen Shields, Chief Opportunity Development Officer, Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator

15:00

Moderators Closing Remarks Conclusion : Day 2