AGM report from Maria D'Amico, FASA Chair

Founded in 1979, the Franchise Association of South Africa (FASA), has been dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship through ethical franchising and good business practices. These principles remain its cornerstone today.

Franchising plays a significant role in the South African economy, yet there is still room for growth, as it serves as a catalyst for economic development. As a franchise commercial sector, this is attainable. Government initiatives, such as social, commercial, tandem and micro- franchising (albeit within the legal structures) are, also meaningful if franchising is to contribute to South Africa’s economic growth. By leveraging franchise systems, communities across South Africa can be empowered. FASA urges the government to take a more proactive approach in engaging with FASA to develop creative solutions. Such collaboration would not only assist entrepreneurs with funding in establishing new franchise concepts, but it would also use the franchise business format as a solution to its many service delivery challenges.

During my second year in office as the chairperson of FASA, I endeavored to continue to uphold the FASA cornerstones. Although ethical franchising with good business practices remains empirical, stimulating growth is just as imperative, and to this end, I was involved in the breakfast workshops that FASA presented to the public. The main objective of these workshops was the imparting of knowledge and explaining how franchising works within the law and the legal documents required to be compliant with the Consumer Protection Act no 68 of 2008. These breakfast workshops were hosted across several provinces, nationwide, and were well supported. FASA extends its gratitude to its sponsors, without whom these breakfast workshops would not have been possible.

I was also invited to speak about franchising at the Automotive After-Market Franchise Development Expo in East London. This proved to be another valuable opportunity to emphasize the importance of ethical franchising and good business practices within the franchise industry.

I also had the privilege of networking with women entrepreneurs and promoting franchising to those who were not in the franchising industry when I was invited to attend the “Women in Symposium” hosted by Business Partners. The event featured knowledgeable and professional speakers, making it a valuable platform for engagement and learning.

The Sunday Times and Business Day featured a special segment on franchising, providing another opportunity to promote franchising to the public at large. This annual collaboration allowed FASA to highlight the advantages of franchising, whilst affording its members the opportunity to advertise their business opportunities.

FASA also liaised with Services Seta to introduce the Manager Occupational Qualification. It invited its members to attend the workshop which provided an extensive overview of the criteria necessary for the successful implementation of such a qualification within the South African Occupational Qualification Framework.

An extremely successful and well-attended golf day was organized by FASA, and in 2024 it was decided to be innovative by incorporating the game of Padel to this event, enabling non-golfers to also participate. This was well received by all. The event also honoured Shereen Davids who, for almost thirty years, has gone beyond the call of duty in overseeing the smooth running of FASA. I thank all the sponsors who sponsored this golf day event.

FASA continued to host monthly Virtual Network Sessions with presenters conveying useful and valuable information. I invite our members to participate more in these sessions, either by offering to present or attend the sessions.

To better serve FASA’s members and become a stronger voice in the franchising industry, FASA appointed a strategist to give the organisation the edge. FASA has commenced strategic sessions between the strategist and the FASA board, its staff and certain service providers.

Part of the strategy process is for FASA to communicate with members and non-members for their valuable input on how the association can enhance the franchising industry further and play a greater role in the economy of our country. As a non-profit organization, promoting the interests of franchisors, franchisees and service providers, is paramount. Therefore, we urge you all to make it a priority to provide FASA with this input as, together, we can make FASA greater and more relevant in the franchising industry. FASA would like to see all its members being actively involved, with renewed energy, in being pro-active, collaborating to find novel ways of stimulating the economy through entrepreneurship and renewed franchise growth, be these members established or new.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my two-year tenure as the FASA chairperson. This experience has not only allowed me to grow as a person but has also improved my leadership skills. It has given me the opportunity to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds, all united by a common passion – entrepreneurship through franchising. Serving in this role has been gratifying and enriching, and I am deeply grateful for the experience.

The past two years would have been far more challenging and definitely more daunting had it not been for the unwavering support of the FASA team, comprising Fred Makgato, CEO of FASA; the FASA staff; the FASA board members; the service providers who attended to FASA’s PR (Giuli Osso) and Romany Thresher (Digital); and the continued support to each of our sponsors, the main sponsors include: Absa, Capitec Bank, Fast Last Mile, Old Mutual, and the Wholesale and Retail Seta. I thank you all for your valued contributions which (collectively) assisted FASA in operating as a non-profit organization.

Maria D'Amico

Maria D’Amico holds an LLB in Law (obtained at WITS) and has been practicing as an attorney for 33 years and working at Thomson Wilks Attorneys.

Maria is an expert in commercial law, commercial litigation and franchising and her understanding of franchising law is invaluable to anyone involved in the franchising industry.

Maria is also qualified as a Solicitor in England, the United Kingdom, completed her Canadian legal conversion exams and is a Civil and Commercial Mediator (having obtained her certificate from the ADR – Alternative Dispute Resolution group in London).