Helping South African women lift themselves

out of poverty

A Hand Up,

Not A Hand Out

Phakamani Foundation addresses poverty and chronic unemployment in rural South Africa by helping people create their own livelihoods through micro-enterprise.

Women-Focused

Women-Focused

We partner with entrepreneurial women in rural South Africa who work hard to improve their lives and that of their children.

Community-Based

Community-Based

Our branches are located and staffed by the communities they serve.

100% Reinvested

100% Reinvested

When the loans are paid back, they are recycled to assist other entrepreneurs. Every donation is leveraged to help as many people as possible.

Responding

to the Dire Need

42

SURVIVE ON $2 A DAY

33

ADULTS ARE UNEMPLOYED
We respond to these alarming statistics by partnering with women who are motivated and capable of bringing change to their community.

Measuring Success

98

REPAYMENT RATE

36

WOMEN ENROLLED
When one woman is empowered to make her dream a reality and become more self-sufficient, she pulls others up with her. Repaid loans are reinvested back into the same communities time and again. Our approach ensures that funds, time, and energy invested into communities brings lasting impact to the entrepreneurs, their families, and their neighbors.

Client Success Stories

Hear from the women that have partnered with Phakamani to change their lives

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Bathabile’s Story

Bathabile Appeneth Zulu was running a business selling cosmetic products, when she was referred to…

Khanyisile’s Story

Khanyisile Zandile Dlamini had a successful sewing business in town prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. …

Lindiwe’s Story

Lindiwe Nxumalo is a married mother of three children, a boy and two girls. Her…

Gladys’ Story

Gladys Leyane was born in 1960 in Manyevheni village where she still resides. She is…

Our success is quite small, it's just happened more than 195,000 times.

Mark TuckerFounder

The ongoing training we are able to provide is why these women succeed.

Rhoda Olsen

Our Partners