Thembisa Mapukata Empowering small business owners remains fundamental to economic transformation and financial inclusion, and is thus a foremost priority in the partnership between Old Mutual and the South African Funeral Practitioners Association (SAFPA). This is according to Old Mutual’s General Manager for the Foundation Market, Thembisa Mapukata, in her address at the opening of the annual SAFPA conference which took place in East London this week. Hosted under the theme Breaking Barriers, this two-day-long conference formed part of an ongoing partnership between Old Mutual and SAFPA. Aimed at empowering funeral practitioners from around the country, the event provided a platform to share best practice, promote SMME growth and drive credibility in the industry. “We are working with SAFPA to ensure that their members prioritise compliance, remain competitive by growing their businesses and continue driving employment in communities while expanding access to financial ser...