African SMALL Business Development

13/10/2026

EFF MP Hon Babalwa Mathulelwa called for investigations into the funding of an NGO project in Eastern Cape allegedly linked to the Minister of Small Business Development, including the R5 million in public funding provided to the project.

She also raised serious concerns about the R500 million Spaza Shop Support Fund, questioning why beneficiaries have not been published and calling for an investigation into the beneficiaries, approvals, payments and possible conflicts of interest.

Hon Mathulelwa further questioned the three-year panel of service providers, saying the qualification criteria could exclude the emerging black-owned and smaller enterprises that the department is supposed to support.

04/10/2026

♦️KNOW YOUR MAYOR♦️

Meet Babalwa Mathulelwa
EFF Mayoral Candidate: Matatiele Local Municipality

Commissar Babalwa Mathulelwa is an experienced community activist and small business development advocate from Matatiele. She has served the EFF in various leadership capacities since 2014, including as a Ward 15 Branch Chairperson, Alfred Nzo Regional Command Team member, Matatiele Elections Coordinator and member of the EFF Central Command Team. She currently serves as the EFF Head of Small Business Development Portfolio.

Her professional background includes experience in monitoring and evaluation within the Department of Transport, public representation, community development and small business development. She has also completed Advanced Governance and Public Leadership through the Wits School of Governance.

Commissar Babalwa has been actively involved in community initiatives in Matatiele, including supporting people living with disabilities, informal traders, learners and small businesses. She founded the Madlamini Annual Sport Tournament and the Africa Small Business Development Group, through which she has supported business registration and compliance services.

As the EFF Mayoral Candidate for Matatiele, she brings political experience, community activism and a strong focus on local economic development and service delivery.

02/10/2026

01/10/2026

♦️Happening Tomorrow♦️

Catch the EFF Mayoral candidate in Matatiele Municipality, Commissar Babalwa Mathulelwa tomorrow on the Informer Digital TV for the Local Government Elections debate.

The debate starts at 18h00 on all Digital Informer social media platforms.

Catch the EFF Mayoral candidate in Matatiele Municipality, Commissar Babalwa Mathulelwa tomorrow on the Informer Digital TV for the Local Government Elections debate.

The debate starts at 18h00 on all Digital Informer social media platforms.

01/10/2026

♦️KNOW YOUR MAYOR♦️

Meet Babalwa Mathulelwa
EFF Mayoral Candidate: Matatiele Local Municipality

Commissar Babalwa Mathulelwa is an experienced community activist and small business development advocate from Matatiele. She has served the EFF in various leadership capacities since 2014, including as a Ward 15 Branch Chairperson, Alfred Nzo Regional Command Team member, Matatiele Elections Coordinator and member of the EFF Central Command Team. She currently serves as the EFF Head of Small Business Development Portfolio.

Her professional background includes experience in monitoring and evaluation within the Department of Transport, public representation, community development and small business development. She has also completed Advanced Governance and Public Leadership through the Wits School of Governance.

Commissar Babalwa has been actively involved in community initiatives in Matatiele, including supporting people living with disabilities, informal traders, learners and small businesses. She founded the Madlamini Annual Sport Tournament and the Africa Small Business Development Group, through which she has supported business registration and compliance services.

As the EFF Mayoral Candidate for Matatiele, she brings political experience, community activism and a strong focus on local economic development and service delivery.

27/09/2026

Matatiele Mayoral Candidate Commissar Babalwa Mathulelwa on Pledge and signing of Code of Conduct as part of the IEC’s preparations for the upcoming Local Government Elections.

We reviewed the sample ballots and signed them to acknowledge their display.

The IEC has announced that 14 political parties and 4 Independent Candidates will contest the Local Government Elections, scheduled for Wednesday, 4 November 2026.