Proudly South African was established in 2001, born out of the 1998 Presidential Job Summit which was convened by the late former President Nelson Mandela. Like all government initiatives, its purpose is to work to combat the triple challenges of poverty, inequality and above all, unemployment.

Since South Africa opened its first franchise in the 1960’s the rest of Africa has looked on in awe at the rapid development and success of this business format and, since its establishment in 1979, the Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA) has been the inspiration and point of contact for many other African countries wanting to establish franchising in their respective countries.

Positioned as the big voice for small business. To create employment for over nine million unemployed people, policy makers and regulators must support in practice, an enabling environment for SME to grow and flourish. We must engage on potential solutions in open discussions using facts and evidence

BUSA’s work is largely focused around influencing policy and legislative development for an enabling environment for inclusive growth and employment. BUSA operates through two standing committees: Economic & Trade Policy and Social Policy. Subcommittees of the Economic & Trade Policy Committee include Environment; Energy; Tax; and Trade, Transport & Logistics. The Social Policy Standing Committee has a subcommittee dealing with education & skills development. Both policy committees have a focus on transformation, small business, as well as regulatory certainty and impact. This however does not constitute an exhaustive list of policy priority areas that BUSA is currently engaged in. As a member-driven organisation, BUSA represents the cross-sectoral perspective of matters brought to its agenda by its members.

sefa’s core function is to foster the establishment, development and growth of SMMEs and Co-operatives, and to contribute towards poverty alleviation, job creation and economic growth.