Draft:Practical Radical Economic Transformation of South Africa

The Practical Radical Economic Transformation of South Africa (PretSA) was a South African political pressure group based in Mpumalanga and founded by businessman and political activist Themba Sgudla with the help of then- Premier David Mabuza. The group advocated for radical economic transformation (RET), land redistribution and increased roles for traditional leaders.

Practical Radical Economic Transformation of South Africa
Abbreviation	PretSA
Leader	Themba Sigudla Sunday Mathebula Bhutia Mamba
Founder	David Mabuza Themba Sigudla Eric Kholwane
Founded	2017
Headquarters	Emalahleni, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Ideology	Radical economic transformation
Political position	Economic redistribution
National affiliation	South African National Congress of Traditional Authorities (SANCOTA)

History

PretSA was launched in 2017 by Themba Sigudla, a former ANC Youth League figure and businessman, at a press conference in Mbombela. The organization gained prominence by promising to create "many Thembas"—referring to young Black millionaires—through state-linked business opportunities and housing projects.

Activities and Influence

In 2017, PretSA staged a protest at Kusile Power Station demanding job creation for local youth, which led to the provincial government pledging thousands of jobs. The movement also launched the "Thuma Mina Housing Project" to provide affordable housing by taking over existing units, leading to legal disputes with the Emalahleni Housing Company.

PretSA organized several economic transformation summits across Mpumalanga to advocate for Black-owned businesses to benefit from government procurement.

Alliance with SANCOTA

In early 2019, PretSA played a key role in forming the South African National Congress of Traditional Authorities (SANCOTA), a splinter party that sought to amplify the role of traditional leadership in politics. Sigudla was instrumental in aligning PretSA’s objectives with SANCOTA’s, especially around land reform and rural development.

Ideology

PretSA supports accelerated land redistribution in South Africa, the empowerment of Black-owned businesses through government procurement, and formal recognition for traditional authorities. It aligns ideologically with the Radical Economic Transformation (RET) agenda often associated with former President Jacob Zuma.

Criticism and Controversy

PretSA has faced criticism for promoting alleged patronage networks within Mpumalanga municipalities. The Emalahleni Housing Company obtained a restraining order against Sigudla after disputes over property and alleged defamation during the "Thuma Mina" housing project.

Some critics argue that PretSA's close ties to government contracts reflect the rise of “tenderpreneurship” within South African politics.

Key People

• Themba Sigudla – Founder and political activist based in Mpumalanga; known for youth empowerment rhetoric.
• Chief Mantjolo Mnisi – Traditional leader and national president of SANCOTA; collaborated with PretSA during the breakaway from the ANC.

See also

• African National Congress
• Radical Economic Transformation
• South African National Congress of Traditional Authorities
• Mpumalanga
• Land reform in South Africa