The landscape of South African economic transformation has seen a significant shift with the recent announcement that Qhamisa Tengile has transitioned into a pivotal national leadership role. A prominent figure in the “township economy” movement, Tengile has resigned from her high-profile positions as the Eastern Cape Provincial Chairperson of TECSA and the CEO of TEC-G20 to focus her vision on a new vehicle for change: TREDA.
In a major endorsement of her expertise, President Cyril Ramaphosa officially confirmed Tengile’s appointment to the National Dialogue Steering Committee on December 18, 2025.
A Presidential Mandate for the National Dialogue
Tengile joins a 99-member panel of distinguished South Africans tasked with steering the nation toward a new social compact. Representing the Small Businesses, Stokvels & Informal Economy sector, her appointment by the President underscores the critical importance of the township economy in South Africa’s future roadmap.
The Steering Committee is responsible for:
- Setting Strategic Priorities: Driving the implementation of the National Dialogue process across all provinces.
- Forging a Shared Vision: Agreeing on a long-term development path for the next several decades.
- Inclusive Governance: Ensuring that the voices of the informal and rural sectors are integrated into national policy.
The Genesis of TREDA
While her work on the National Dialogue provides a macro-level platform, Tengile’s primary vehicle for implementation is the Township and Rural Economic Development Agency (TREDA). Having resigned from her provincial and commission-based roles, she is now focusing her full energy on TREDA’s mission to bridge the gap between national policy and the lived realities of people in underserved areas.
TREDA (tredagency.com) is positioned as a specialized agency that turns high-level frameworks into tangible results through:
- SMME Incubation: Providing structural support for micro-enterprises.
- Rural Commercialization: Moving emerging farmers into commercial value chains.
- Market Access: Creating direct links between rural producers and larger retail markets.
From TEC-G20 to National Implementation
Tengile’s move from TEC-G20 (the Township Economic Commission in the G20 Business Council) marks a shift from international policy advocacy to direct development work. During her tenure at TEC-G20, she was a vocal advocate for “decentralizing economic power” and ensuring that township businesses were ready for global market access.
By taking up her seat on the President’s Steering Committee while leading TREDA, Tengile is effectively bridging the gap between the highest levels of government and the grassroots economic sectors she has championed for years.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The National Dialogue Steering Committee is set to hold its inaugural meeting and induction in early January 2026. For Tengile, this represents a busy start to the year as she balances the strategic rollout of the National Dialogue with the operational growth of TREDA.
Her leadership style—defined by a blend of cultural heritage, modern economic strategy, and “royal diplomacy”—is expected to play a key role in making the National Dialogue’s economic outcomes more relatable and actionable for ordinary South Africans.
“The National Dialogue is more than a series of meetings; it’s a call to action for every South African to take ownership of our economic destiny.” — Qhamisa Tengile
