About Umthelela
Umthelela Social Investments (Umthelela) is a pioneering NPC dedicated to transforming South Africa’s socio-economic landscape.
FUNDING TO EMPOWER SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SMEs) AND DELIVER IMPACT
Umthelela is dedicated to bridging the funding gap by offering accessible and impactful financial support where it is most needed.
By collaborating with local and international development finance institutions, philanthropic organisations, and both public and private sectors, we are able to drive sustainable change and stimulate meaningful economic growth.
Our mission is to empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is supported by cutting-edge enterprise and supplier development (ESD) programs and innovative community solutions.
Our team
Meet the experts behind your success
Keshan Pillay
Director
With over 25 years of experience, Keshan is an expert in structuring and financing Corporate and Black Economic Empowerment transactions, including Management Buyouts, Leveraged Finance, and Mergers & Acquisitions. Keshan has arranged, underwritten, and distributed debt instruments, leading transactions exceeding R20 billion in corporate investments. A seasoned director, Keshan has served on the boards of both listed and unlisted companies in executive and non-executive roles across a range of industries, including Media, Gaming, IT, Banking, Motor, Petroleum, Mining, Industrial, Financial Services, and Business Consulting. His extensive experience and leadership have made him a respected figure in the investment and corporate finance sectors.
Niall Gahan
Fund Head
Niall has extensive experience in strategic management, financial management, company secretarial, compliance management and small business development and business turnaround across several industries. Niall structures funding models and manages the multi stakeholder network of clients, funders, SMEs and investment committees to deliver funding and disbursements to SMEs in pre and post funding support programmes.
Nozizwe Jele
Director
Highly experienced and recognized as a consummate professional, she has a proven track record of success in planning, designing, and executing strategies and programs that drive impact across both public and private sectors. Her work focuses on SME growth, youth, and community development. Incredibly insightful, she seamlessly bridges the worlds of corporate, government, NGOs, SMEs, and community development with ease.
Nelisiwe Ndavani
Investment Analyst
Nelisiwe has worked with Funds, Investment Committees, Programme Managers and SMEs. She is highly experienced in financial analysis, forecasting and assessing business sustainability in funding applications as well as pre and post funding programme initiatives.
