Empowering Communities Through Inclusive Financial Solutions. Thangana Finance is a proudly black-owned and female-led financial services provider established in 2018, originating from the township of Sebokeng, located in the heart of Vereeniging, Gauteng. Our business was born out of a deep recognition of the financial inequalities and barriers to access experienced by many South Africans particularly those in underserved and disadvantaged communities.
We were founded by a visionary young black woman whose ambition was not only to create a sustainable financial institution but to restore hope and agency to those excluded from mainstream credit systems. Thangana Finance is more than a lender it is a mission-driven company committed to economic empowerment, financial inclusion, and the upliftment of historically marginalized individuals.
Our Purpose and Origin
The name Thangana, meaning “to meet” or “to come together” in several Southern African languages, reflects our core purpose: to meet our clients at the point of their need, with solutions that are accessible, respectful, and impactful. We were established to respond to a simple but urgent need: to provide reliable, dignified access to financial support for people who are often overlooked by traditional banking institutions. Whether it’s a single mother needing support for school fees, a young entrepreneur trying to get started, or a pensioner needing assistance with living costs Thangana Finance is here to serve.
- Community-Rooted Approach
We understand our clients because we come from the same communities. This enables us to design services that are not only relevant but also compassionate and context aware. - Black Female Leadership
We are proud to be one of the few financial institutions in South Africa founded and led by a black woman. This leadership informs our commitment to inclusive practices and gender equity in financial access. - Accessibility Without Judgment
We serve clients across a wide range of credit backgrounds, income levels, and employment situations. Everyone deserves the opportunity to move forward financially without stigma. - Financial Education as a Priority
We empower our clients with practical financial knowledge and responsible borrowing strategies to build sustainable habits for the future.
Our Core Values
- 1. Integrit: We conduct our business with honesty and professionalism. Our clients trust us because we communicate clearly, deliver consistently, and honour our commitments.
- 2. Dignity: We treat every client with respect, irrespective of their financial circumstances. Our processes and people-centred approach are built around maintaining human dignity at all times.
- 3. Empowerment: We believe access to finance can change lives. By providing tools, support, and education, we help individuals take control of their financial future and work toward long-term stability.
- 4. Inclusion: Our products and services are designed to ensure that everyone especially those excluded by formal banking systems has a fair opportunity to participate in the economy.
Our Impact Since 2018
Since our inception, Thangana Finance has:
- Enabled access to short-term credit for thousands of clients across Gauteng and surrounding provinces.
- Created job opportunities directly and indirectly through local recruitment and community-based operations.
- Promoted financial literacy and debt awareness through informal workshops and one-on-one engagement.
- Supported women- and youth-led households through responsive lending practices tailored to their realities.
- Built trust within communities that have historically been underserved by traditional financial institutions.
Our presence in townships and peri-urban areas means we are not only physically accessible but also socially relatable. We aim to be a long-term financial partner to our clients not just a service provider.
Looking Ahead To the Future
As we look ahead, our ambition is to expand our footprint, diversify our financial product offering, and leverage technology to improve accessibility while maintaining our human-centred values. We envision a South Africa where:
- Access to finance is no longer a privilege but a right.
- Township-based financial institutions thrive alongside mainstream banks.
- Women, youth, and informal workers are economically empowered through credit that works for them not against them.
We are actively exploring partnerships, technology-driven platforms, and strategic investment opportunities that will help us scale responsibly while remaining rooted in the communities we serve.