He aims to transform small businesses' access to capital and make financing easier for them. To achieve this, he is relying on technology as a key tool.

Luyanda Jafta (photo), a South African investment expert and entrepreneur, is the founder and CEO of The People’s Fund (TPF), a financial company he established in 2017. TPF operates as a crowdfunding platform that helps businesses raise capital to fulfill government or corporate orders, providing the financial support they need to complete their contracts. The platform also allows individuals to support these businesses' growth, improving their access to financing.

Jafta is also the founder and CEO of The People’s Stokvel, a sister company to TPF, which enables South Africans to invest in small businesses owned by Black entrepreneurs.

In addition, Jafta leads Paybook, a digital agency he founded in 2012. Paybook lets subscribers share brand campaigns on their profiles, earning rewards based on unique visitors, leads, or sales commissions generated for the brands.

As a serial entrepreneur, Jafta’s ventures include Whole In One, a student and youth-focused journal he launched in 2010, and Box A Veg, a home delivery service for organic produce founded in 2016. Box A Veg supports small farmers by providing steady income while offering South Africans an easy way to access healthy foods.

Jafta holds a bachelor’s degree in economics, insurance, and investment from the University of the Witwatersrand, earned in 2011.

Melchior Koba