Nedbank Top Empowerment Conference 2026 | Souvenir Programme by Topco Media

The Next Phase of Transformation: Inclusive,

CONFERENCE 2026

17-18 JUNE 2026

SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE

Discover inspiring speakers, key highlights, and the insights shaping the future of inclusive growth across Africa.

ABOUT THE BRAND

Established 25 years ago at the request of Cyril Ramaphosa, Impumelelo became South Africa’s first directory of leading black-owned and managed companies.

Since its inception,the Top Empowerment brand has evolved into one of the country’s most respected and influential transformation platforms, championing economic inclusion, leadership and meaningful change across industries.

The Top Empowerment Conference celebrates the remarkable progress made by organisations, leaders and entrepreneurs committed to advancing black economic empowerment and driving sustainable transformation. Bringing together thought leaders, policymakers and industry pioneers, the conference creates a dynamic space for collaboration, innovation and impactful dialogue through keynote addresses, interactive panel discussions and practical workshops.

As South Africa continues to shape a more inclusive and equitable future, the conference remains focused on the critical role of skills development, enterprise growth and access to opportunities for black-owned businesses. The strength and success of the economy rests on the country’s ability to empower its people, nurture future leaders and reshape the socioeconomic landscape for generations to come.

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BEYOND THE BOARDROOM

REDEFINING THE STANDARD OF SUCCESS

Master the art of leadership and digital innovation with Ralf Fletcher, CEO of Topco Media, as he interviews and gains exclusive access to high-impact conversations with influential business leaders, politicians, and innovators redefining the future of business.

Your guide to all things #NedbankTopEmpowerment Discover the innovative solutions, exhibitors & inspiring speakers shaping the future of empowerment.

Welcome Note

Ralf Fletcher sets the tone for transformative conversations shaping South Africa’s business future. 06

Our Sponsors

Celebrating valued partners empowering meaningful change through strategic collaboration and support.

Sponsors Foreword

Jason Quinn shares Nedbank’s vision for inclusive growth and empowerment leadership.

Our Speakers

Meet influential leaders driving innovation, transformation, and sustainable business progress nationwide.

SCAN ME

PLATINUM SPONSOR

FOREWORD

JASON QUINN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, NEDBANK GROUP

Welcome to the 2026 Nedbank Top Empowerment Conference.

South Africa has made meaningful progress across several fronts, with early gains in structural reform contributing to the stabilisation of the energy and logistics environment. Business confidence is beginning to recover off a low base. Increasingly, the national conversation is shifting from whether the country can grow to how that growth can be translated into broader and more inclusive economic participation.

That shift also requires a clearer understanding of what transformation means in practice. For many years, the focus was primarily on access: bringing more people into the financial system,

into markets, and into economic opportunity. That work was real, and it produced important gains. But access, on its own, does not build businesses that last or livelihoods that hold. The harder questions now are about capability, participation and durability: whether township economies and smallholder farmers are being integrated into value chains in ways that give them a genuine stake, and whether the enterprises we are supporting can grow and compete over time. South Africa’s growth trajectory depends on drawing more people into productive economic activity, and transformation is how that gets done.

Our long-term competitiveness depends on expanding economic participation, activating parts of the economy that have historically been underserved, and building productive capacity across the full breadth of society. This includes township and peri-urban economies, small and medium enterprises, smallholder farmers, and emerging black industrialists who are not yet integrated into formal value chains. Expanding participation in these areas is where the growth opportunity lies. How capital, infrastructure and market access are directed towards them will determine whether growth is broad-based and sustainable or remains narrow and uneven.

The policy environment is increasingly moving in this direction. Current discussions around the B-BBEE Codes of Good Practice, the proposed Transformation Fund, and the continued focus on financial inclusion point to a more outcomesoriented approach to economic transformation.

The Next Phase of Transformation: Inclusive, Investable, Impactful

For this to deliver impact, execution will need to keep pace with ambition. At Nedbank, this is where our focus sits. We deploy capital into the sectors where inclusive growth is built rather than described: infrastructure, the energy transition, agricultural value chains, and the small and medium businesses through which millions of South Africans earn a living. These businesses are central to employment creation and serve as the primary channel through which township and peri-urban economies connect to mainstream markets.

Supporting growth in these sectors requires more than the provision of finance alone. Businesses also need development support, digital capabilities, market linkages and ecosystem partnerships that enable them to scale. Financial inclusion and digital access form part of the same commitment, and we see the expansion of economic participation not as a peripheral responsibility, but as core to our purpose and role in society.

Progress, however, must ultimately be measured in outcomes, and those outcomes must be tangible, visible and accountable. The true test of transformation lies not in intention but in measurable delivery and sustained impact over time.

Delivery at scale does not happen in isolation. Business can help unlock opportunity, but it cannot carry the weight of South Africa’s development agenda alone. Government, the private sector, development finance institutions, and civil society all have a critical role to play, and outcomes improve materially when these institutions work in concert. We see this in the projects we co-finance and in the infrastructure investments we support with public sector partners. When institutions align around shared outcomes, delivery at scale becomes possible.

As we look ahead, the work before us remains demanding, but the direction is clear. South Africa has the institutional capability, entrepreneurial talent, and resilience required to succeed. What is required now is consistent execution, partnership and accountability.

Nedbank remains committed to playing its part by deploying capital with purpose, partnering for growth, and contributing to an economy that is more inclusive, competitive, and sustainable. The next phase of transformation must be inclusive, investable, and impactful. That is the standard this moment demands. This is what we show up to do.

When the world turns upside down, your gut can’t always be trusted. It’s loud. It’s impatient. It’s reckless. Prescient invests differently. We don’t follow instincts or chase the next big thing. We follow facts. Process. Logic. When your money’s at stake, trust a system that stays steady.

WELCOME THE ORGANISERS

RALF FLETCHER, CEO,TOPCO MEDIA

Welcome to the 2026 Nedbank Top Empowerment Conference.

Dear Delegates, Welcome to the Nedbank Top Empowerment Conference 2026. It is a privilege to welcome you to this landmark gathering under the theme, The Next Phase of Transformation: Inclusive, Investable, Impactful. This year’s conference carries exceptional significance.

We meet at the intersection of two defining milestones in South Africa’s democratic journey: 50 years since the June 16 Uprising, a powerful reminder of the courage, sacrifice and determination of a generation that demanded a more just future, and 25 years of the Top Empowerment publication, which has documented, celebrated and challenged South Africa’s transformation journey since its inception. These anniversaries invite us not only to reflect on how far we have come, but also to confront the realities of the work that still lies ahead. For a quarter of a century, Top Empowerment has served as both a mirror and a measure of transformation in South Africa.

Throughout this journey, we have witnessed remarkable progress, yet we have also seen how economic inclusion remains uneven, how inequality continues to constrain opportunity, and how transformation itself has often become reduced to a compliance exercise rather than a catalyst for sustainable growth and shared prosperity. The theme for 2026 signals a deliberate shift in our national conversation. Transformation must be more than compliant; it must be inclusive in its reach, investable in its

design, and impactful in its outcomes. It must create real economic participation, unlock new markets, attract investment, develop future leaders, and generate measurable value for communities, businesses and the broader economy. Over the next two days, some of the country’s most influential voices from government, business, finance, development institutions, local government, media and civil society will come together to explore what this next phase demands of us.

We are honoured to welcome Ministers, CEOs, policymakers, investors, transformation practitioners and thought leaders who are helping shape South Africa’s future and challenging us to think differently about what meaningful empowerment looks like in practice.

Our discussions will focus on six critical areas that will define the country’s transformation agenda in the years ahead. We will examine how to restore credibility and momentum to transformation efforts, address the urgent challenge of youth unemployment and skills development, strengthen women’s leadership through intergenerational partnerships, unlock inclusive infrastructure investment, align ESG and B-BBEE strategies for greater impact, and harness technology, media and innovation to drive inclusion and investor confidence. These are not isolated conversations. They are interconnected challenges that require bold leadership, meaningful collaboration and a willingness to move beyond old assumptions. The solutions will not come from any one sector alone. Government, business, financiers, communities and civil society must work together to build an economy that is both globally competitive and locally inclusive.

At Topco Media, our purpose has always been to convene the conversations that matter and to create platforms that drive positive change. The Nedbank Top Empowerment Conference continues to be one of the country’s most important forums for honest dialogue, practical solutions and collective action. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Nedbank, our longstanding partner, whose commitment to inclusive growth, empowerment and sustainable development continues to make this platform possible. Thank you also to our speakers, partners and delegates for investing your time, expertise and energy in this important dialogue.

As we gather during this historic year, let us honour the legacy of those who fought for opportunity by ensuring that empowerment delivers meaningful economic outcomes for the generations that follow. Let us challenge ourselves to think beyond scorecards and compliance, and towards transformation that is measurable, investable and lasting. Most importantly, let us leave this conference not only inspired by new ideas, but committed to action.

I wish you an engaging, insightful and impactful conference experience. Warm regards,

SPEAKERS

Meet the trailblazers, visionaries, and strategic leaders sharing actionable insights to drive inclusive transformation and unlock next-generation empowerment.

NASREEN HISHAM

Chief Operating Officer, Prescient Investment Management

PIETER DU PLESSIS

Chief Executive Officer, Isanti Glass

NALEDI MSIBI

Public Relations & Comms Director, Greysun Media

MZIWABANTU DAYIMANI

CEO, National Empowerment Fund(NEF)

PARMI NATESAN

CEO, Institute of Directors in South Africa (IoDSA)

STANLEY GRAU

Deputy Chairperson, Association of B-BBEE Professionals & Managing Director, MSCT BEE Services

DR. NIK EBERL

The Future of Jobs Summit

SKUMSA NTSHANGA

Head of Socio-Economic Transformation, SANParks

LEBOHANG LETSELA

Head: Monitoring and Evaluation, Tshikululu Social Investments

YOLANDI VENTER

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

MELANEY OLDENHOF

Senior Business Development Associate, B Lab Africa

NOMPENDULO MKHATSHWA

Social Activist, Governance Practitioner & Former Member of Parliament

MIKE FOSTER

Economic Counsellor, British High Commission Pretoria

CLLR ILZA LE MINNIE

Western Cape Provincial Chairperson, SALGA Youth Commission & Councillor, Swartland Municipality Western Cape

STEPHEN SHIELDS

Chief Opportunity Development Officer, Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator

LUCRETIA KHUMALO

Divisional Executive: Customer Support & Growth, IDC

The Next Phase of Transformation: Inclusive, Investable, Impactful

Not on stage? You can still command the room.

There is more than one way to have your story heard with Topco Media & Top Empowerment.

While our speakers share their insights on stage, you can place your brand directly in front of decision-makers. From impactful editorial features to premium advertising, ensure your business is seen in the prestigious Impumelelo Top Empowerment Publication /Digi-mag.

The Top Empowerment brand is proudly brought to you by Topco Media

Senior Service Designer & Product Strategist, iKhokha

KERRY BALSHAW

From bespoke jewellery design to heirloom remodellings, we transform life’s most meaningful stories into pieces designed to be treasured for generations, proudly made in South Africa.

JennaClifford.com Est. 1992

Compliance that moves with your business

Legislation and compliance in the South African context is complex and constantly evolving.

That is why we have developed a client-focused approach to HR, payroll and employment legislative compliance that is practical, structured and built for real-world application.

A model for sustained organisational performance

Transformation gains traction when governance, skills and execution operate as one system. Our integrated solution strengthens performance, capability and workplace transformation across your organisation.

From workforce planning and legislative alignment through to targeted training interventions, each component is designed to enable measurable progress.

A connected suite of solutions

Our integrated operating framework connects compliance, capability and execution across our suite of solutions:

• Transformation (Skills Development, Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment and Employment Equity)

• Labour law

• HR and Payroll platform

• Health and safety

• Information compliance

• Learning

CONFERENCE PARTNERS &

The Next Phase of Transformation:

Inclusive, Investable, Impactful

Thank you to our valued sponsors for your partnership, commitment, and investment in meaningful transformation. Your support helps drive an inclusive, investable, and impactful future, making this celebration of excellence possible.

AVO VISION

DIVERSIFI

LEAP : LAB 17

At Diversifi, we believe in Inclusive Transformation, aimed at building a cohesive, prosperous society where nobody is left behind.

By building on our knowledge and commitment to transformation, diversity, equity and inclusion, our team of specialists will support your company to create long-term, transformative societal impact.

Diversifi are specialists in Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE), Transformation Strategies and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEI&B).

Our service offerings

Partner with us to stretch thinking, push boundaries and develop innovative and sustainable interventions.

Cape Town Unit 12, Paardevlei Specialist Centre, Paardevlei, Somerset West, 7130 Tel: +27 (0) 21 851 0091

A modern media destination built around the stories, insights and conversations that matter most.

Delivering trusted journalism, compelling analysis and influential thought leadership for a dynamic South Africa.

MOTORING FOR ADVERTISING AND SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, CONTACT: Available in Print, Digital, App and Podcasts.

ANASTACIA MARTIN Chief Sales and Marketing Officer

SALGA INSPIRES SERVICE DELIVERY

BY BEING A CATALYST FOR CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) has a clear purpose: to strengthen local government so it works better for the people it serves. As the official voice of municipalities, SALGA champions the interests of municipalities.

At its core, SALGA is about impact. Its mission is to stay credible, informed, and accountable, while actively supporting municipalities to perform at their best. That means advocating for better policy, sharing practical solutions, and assisting local leaders navigate an increasingly complex environment of local government.

The vision is just as focused: drive innovation and deliver quality, sustainable services that improve everyday life in communities. It’s about municipalities that don’t just function, but respond,

adapt, and lead. It is about places where systems work, leadership is strong, and communities feeling the difference.

To get there, SALGA focuses on what matters most, building capable and ethical institutions, strengthening governance, and ensuring municipalities are financially stable. SALGA aims to create a local government system that is more resilient, more responsive, and more in tune with community needs.

This impact is further translated into action through the SALGA Commercial Product Catalogue, which showcases practical, technology-driven solutions designed to help municipalities improve governance, enhance revenue, and deliver sustainable services more effectively.

Dataal Africa helps organizations transform data, technology, and AI into smarter decisions, stronger operations, and measurable business value.

Data Analytics & BI

Executive dashboards, reporting automation, KPI tracking, and business intelligence solutions.

Practical AI tools, intelligent assistants, work ow automation, and document intelligence. Data Engineering & Cloud Platforms

Modern data pipelines, data warehouses, lakehouses, integrations, and cloud analytics platforms.

Training & Upskilling

Hands-on AI, data analytics, SQL, Power BI, cloud, and digital transformation training.

Software Solutions Business platforms, portals, work ow systems, and enterprise-ready digital products.

Rebuilding The Foundation

RE-ENGINEERING TOMORROW

Why the Future of Sustainability is Made of Glass

We know that the materials we choose today will shape the world we leave for tomorrow. As a proudly South African glass manufacturer, our approach is grounded in three principles: circularity, accountability and measurable impact — delivered through a material that is 100% natural and inﬁnitely recyclable.

Glass is one of the few packaging materials that can be recycled endlessly without any loss of quality, purity, or performance. A bottle produced today can become a new bottle tomorrow — and again after that. This is not a future aspiration; it is circular design in action. But sustainability is not deﬁned by material alone. It is proven in how that material is produced.

Sustainability is embedded in how we manufacture, how we manage energy, and how we meet environmental standards — every day. Our energy e ciency improvements are independently veriﬁed by SANEDI under Section 12L, a South African tax incentive that recognises and rewards companies for measurable energy savings. This provides credible, third-party conﬁrmation that our operations are becoming more energy e cient over time. In parallel, our manufacturing processes comply with stringent environmental requirements, including our Air Emissions Licence, ensuring alignment with national air quality and environmental protection standards.

This is how sustainability moves beyond philosophy and

becomes operational — measured, veriﬁed, and continuously improved. Our responsibility extends beyond the factory ﬂoor.

We work closely with collectors, buy-back centres, and community partners across South Africa to strengthen the recycling ecosystem. By enabling used glass to return to the production cycle, we support not only circularity, but also job creation and local economic participation.

This integrated approach — from production to recovery — ensures that sustainability is not isolated, but systemic.

For our customers, this delivers more than compliance.

Glass protects what is inside without chemical interaction, while reinforcing brand quality through clarity, purity, and premium perception. In a market where consumers expect both performance and accountability, glass remains the benchmark.

When you choose Isanti Glass, you choose:

Local manufacturing that strengthens domestic supply chains.

Proven, veriﬁed improvements in energy e ciency. Full compliance with environmental standards. A partner committed to advancing sustainable manufacturing.

We believe environmental responsibility and economic growth must move together — supporting communities, developing talent, and driving inclusive industrial progress.

Connect. Collaborate. Transform.

For People. For Organisations. For South Africa.

For more than 40 years, the Afrizan People Intelligence Group of Companies has enabled transformation and empowerment by creating meaningful pathways to employment, skills development and economic inclusion.

Six Specialist Businesses. One Seamless Ecosystem.

Afrizan People Intelligence

Award-winning recruitment and augmented workforce solutions.

THE TALENT YOU ARE STILL SEARCHING FOR, WE’VE PROBABLY ALREADY MET. Transformation By The Numbers:

Empowering businesses through intelligent outsourcing. QCTO and SETA-accredited skills, learnerships and YES programmes that turn potential into capability.

Afrizan People Intelligence BPO Afrizan Academy Ryzan Technologies Youth XLS LvL X Youth

Building future talent pipelines through experiential work opportunities.

Making scarce international talent accessible and affordable. A non-profit connecting work-ready youth to employers who need their skills.

ASI GROUP: EMPOWERING SOUTH AFRICA’S FUTURE, ONE LIFE AT A TIME

At ASI Group, we do more than deliver services, we build pathways to prosperity. Our Solutions work together to support your goals today and into the future:

THE ASI GROUP IS TACKLING THESE HEAD-ON THROUGH THREE DYNAMIC ARMS: ASI PROPERTY

ASI FINANCIAL SERVICES

Building Wealth and Protecting Futures Through:

• Financial Education

• Estate Planning

• Insurance Solutions

• Employee Beneﬁts

Creating Safe, Thriving Communities Through:

• Professional Estate & Sectional Title Management

• Levy Collection & Compliance

• Trustee Training

• Resident Engagement

ASI CONNECT

Bridging The Digital Divide by Delivering

• High-Performance ICT Infrastructure

• Renewable Energy Solutions

• ICT Managed Services

• Local Data Centres Powering Business

TOGETHER, WE’RE BUILDING A FUTURE-READY NATION. JOIN US ON THE JOURNEY OF TRANSFORMATION.

The Next Phase of Transformation: Inclusive, Investable, Impactful

OUR IMPACT IN 2025

until every child can be a child.

39 510

Children reached through key thematic areas: Health l Education l Child Protection

40 233

Children and young people supported with health services

BBBEE, PBO, and Section 18A

Compliant organisation

2297

Children reached with education support

17 329 Young people empowered with employability skills

2539

Children safeguarded through positive parenting support.

Together with you, we empower children through education, protection, and opportunity.

At BEE Online Advisory, solutions, empowering businesses to meet regulatory requirements while fostering sustainable transformation.

CORE SERVICES

Whether you operate a growing SME or a complex multinational corporation, we have the deep expertise required to navigate your unique operational landscape. We move beyond generic, tick-box compliance by delivering highly tailored guidance and strategic roadmaps designed speci cally for your industry. Our seasoned consultants expertly manage every facet of the B-BBEE scorecard. Ultimately, our partnership empowers you to achieve sustainable, measurable transformation that drives genuine socio-economic impact while securing a distinct competitive edge.

Implementation and Facilitation

Veriﬁcation Readiness & Compliance Support

Tailored transformation strategies

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