After its R1 billion SME funding milestone, the ESD fund manager offers a case study in planned succession
JOHANNESBURG, 11 November 2026: Phakamani Impact Capital has appointed Octavius Phukubye as Chief Executive Officer to lead its enterprise and supplier development (ESD) and SME funding solutions. Founder Nick Janse van Rensburg becomes Group CEO, overseeing Phakamani Impact Capital, Maccauvlei Learning Academy (skills development), IncubateMe (entrepreneurship) and ExecuTrain (technology training).
Phukubye brings 17 years in development finance, ESD, venture capital and consulting, with roles at Mr Price Foundation, Microtraction, IDF Capital, LEAP, Red Cedar Ventures, Absa, South African Breweries and Accenture.
Since 2015, Phakamani Impact Capital has managed the disbursement of more than R1 billion of its corporate clients’ capital to over 1,500 SMEs, many in mining communities, at a 93.5% recovery rate. However, the need remains large: the OECD (2026) puts South Africa’s MSME financing gap at R350 billion.
Building local economies
“R1 billion proves this model works, and that is a credit to Nick and the team,” says Phukubye. “The next chapter is about depth. When a local supplier delivers on a contract, keeps its customers and grows, the money stays in that community, paying wages and building an economic base that outlives any programme. That is how we will measure ourselves.”
A deliberate handover
“Leadership succession is often the last item on the board agenda, if it ever gets there. But it is key to growth and often the very survival of founder-led businesses,” says Phakamani Impact Capital board Chairperson Mark Anderson.
After finding it “incredibly difficult to find your own replacement”, according to Anderson, the board appointed a specialist to lead the search. “We are now moving from a founder-led business to professional management. Fortunately, Nick will remain on board to support the transition.”
Van Rensburg is giving his successor room to lead: “When you’ve built a business, you get used to being involved in every decision. I want Octavius to have that room.”
Phukubye adds: “Succession planning should start while a business is doing well.”
Looking ahead, Phukubye aims to partner with corporates that want their ESD spend to create “reliable suppliers and sustainable jobs, not just B-BBEE points”, whether designing a new programme or aiming for more impact from an existing fund.
About Phakamani Impact Capital:
Founded in 2015, Phakamani Impact Capital designs and manages ESD programmes and SME funds for corporate clients, combining finance, business development support and market access to build SMEs that deliver diverse supply chains and inclusive local economies. Visit www.phakamanigroup.com.
Media enquiries: Amy Green, Communications Lead | amy@phakamanigroup.com | 0828606217