Phumzile Chifunyise studied Journalism, which equipped her with a strong ability for storytelling and for bridging knowledge gaps across different groups and levels of society. Building on this foundation, she has spent over 14 years working across the private sector, public policy, and entrepreneurship, integrating these experiences to drive socio-economic development and systemic change in South Africa.

She began her career in Learning and Development, but found her true calling when she transitioned into Enterprise Development. In this space, she has spent more than a decade designing and implementing local and global programmes that have empowered thousands of small, youth, and women-owned businesses across sectors such as agriculture and the township economy.

Her perspective shifted significantly when she owned a last-mile agricultural business, working directly with farmers and gaining first-hand experience engaging with commercial clients. This lived experience deepened her understanding of the realities faced by small businesses and strengthened her commitment to driving meaningful transformation.

This journey led her into policymaking and policy influence, where she focuses on addressing the systemic constraints that limit business growth. In her role as a National Planning Commissioner, she engages with and advises the President, government, parliament, and the private sector, encouraging new ways of thinking to enable more effective support for entrepreneurs.

She also serves as the Managing Director of SiMODiSA, where she brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers to co-design practical policy reforms. Through this work, she supports the development of an enabling environment for high-growth tech startups to scale, trade, and compete globally.

Her work is driven by a commitment to transformation, food security, and job creation, with a focus on contributing to the advancement of South Africa’s next generation of entrepreneurs.