Philisiwe Buthelezi was appointed CEO of the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) in June 2005.
Established under the National Empowerment Fund Act of 105 of 1998, the NEF is a development funding institution (DFI) and an
agency of the Department of Trade and Industry mandated to promote black participation in the economy by acting as a catalyst for Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment.
Her knowledge of finance and economics, her extensive experience in the private and public sectors, as well as her vocation in international relations and strategic leadership are backed by the following qualifications:
- BA Economics: University of the North
- French Language Diploma: Institute of Languages, France
- Maitrise en science economique (equivalent to an MSc Economics): University of Paris 2, Sorbonne, France (thesis not defended)
- MBA Corporate Finance: University of Sheffield, UK
Her training and leadership acumen have proven invaluable in the NEF’s resolve to grow the empowerment dividend.