Catherine Wijnberg aids South African SMEs, despite ongoing sector challenges with Fetola.
Catherine Wijnberg is the founder and CEO of Fetola, a South African enterprise development agency that has assisted hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses since its establishment in 2006. The organisation focuses on strengthening the capacity of SMEs, with a particular emphasis on inclusive economic participation and long-term sustainability.
Wijnberg, who was born in Ndola, Zambia, hails from an entrepreneurial family background. She studied agriculture in Scotland and Australia and began her career as an agricultural economist. Over time, her interests shifted towards economic development and entrepreneurship, especially in support of women, youth, and rural communities, groups often underrepresented in the formal economy.
Building Fetola
Fetola, a Sesotho word meaning “to grow” or “to change,” was founded to help small businesses overcome systemic barriers and build resilience. The agency offers a variety of support initiatives, including business accelerators and access-to-finance programmes, aimed at improving both survival rates and growth potential among SMEs.
Some of Fetola’s work has concentrated on sectors regarded as vital for South Africa’s development, such as the circular economy and social enterprises. These sectors are commonly aligned with national and global efforts to promote sustainability and inclusive growth.
Track record and reach
Since its inception, Fetola has reportedly supported over 1,000 small businesses across various sectors. Internal data indicates that companies emerging from Fetola’s programmes have achieved an average annual growth rate of 30% and a 10-year survival rate of approximately 87%, figures that stand out in a national context where SME failure rates are high.
They offer a glimpse into the potential effectiveness of long-term support structures for entrepreneurs in South Africa. According to the organisation, its efforts have helped sustain around 7,000 jobs.
Fetola has also been involved in broader initiatives, including the co-launch of the Nedbank Green Economy Fund. The R10 million (about $874 million) grant fund aims to support small enterprises operating in the green and circular economy, helping them access the resources needed to scale.
As CEO, Catherine Wijnberg has remained active in South Africa’s entrepreneurial space, frequently engaging in public discourse about the structural challenges faced by small businesses, ranging from funding gaps and regulatory hurdles to market access. Her work at Fetola positions her as a notable contributor to the evolving landscape of SME development in the country.
Have you registered for the Africa Female CEO Conference (AFCC)? Join over 200+ influential and emerging African women leaders at the inaugural AFCC on September 18th at Radisson Blu, Ikeja, Lagos, to chart the course for Africa’s future. Hit this link to reserve your slot: https://tix.africa/africa-female-ceo-conference-afcc
