The plan centers on reducing bureaucratic barriers to care, particularly by overhauling prior authorization protocols that often delay or deny necessary treatment. The initiative also proposes a hybrid public private model aimed at increasing access to low-cost coverage, telehealth services, and integrative medicine  including alternative and preventative care.

“We’re bringing common sense back to healthcare,” Kennedy said. “This plan will give Americans real choices, cut out red tape, and put patients not insurance companies in control.”

Dr. Oz, known for his medical career and previous Senate bid, emphasized a results-driven system. “We’ve incentivized procedures instead of outcomes. This model flips that logic. If we reward results and prevention, we drive down costs and improve quality.”

Key elements of the proposal include:

• Elimination of most prior authorization requirements for primary and urgent care

• Expanded telemedicine access across state lines

• Integration of alternative therapies, such as naturopathy and acupuncture, into standard insurance offerings

• Transparent pricing and patient cost estimates

• Pilot programs under public private partnerships in five states starting in 2026

Critics are expected to question the cost and feasibility of the reforms, but supporters argue the model offers a long-overdue update to a healthcare system mired in bureaucracy and inequality.

The announcement comes as both Kennedy and Oz seek to elevate healthcare as a central issue in the 2025 campaign season.

Speaking at the RSA’s high-profile event, Mashatile commended business leaders and stakeholders for their commitment to transformation and economic equity. He specifically praised the private sector’s role in mobilizing funding through Enterprise Supplier Development (ESD) initiatives and the Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP).

“Transformation is a National Imperative”

Mashatile emphasized that real economic transformation cannot be achieved by government alone. “This fund reflects what is possible when the private and public sectors come together with a shared vision,” he said. “Transformation is not optional; it is a national imperative.”

The R100 billion fund aims to support small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs), particularly black-owned businesses, while promoting inclusive participation across key sectors such as manufacturing, technology, and agriculture.

Catalyst for Inclusive Growth

The Deputy President framed the fund as a catalyst for job creation, skills development, and long-term structural change. He noted that private sector participation is not merely an act of compliance but a crucial investment in South Africa’s future.

“This is more than a financial commitment,” Mashatile said. “It’s a statement of intent to build an economy that works for all South Africans.”

Ongoing Monitoring and Impact

The Transformation Fund will be closely monitored to ensure transparency, measurable outcomes, and long-term impact. Officials say the fund will focus on scalable projects and partnerships that foster broad-based empowerment, particularly in underserved communities.

With its scale and scope, the fund is one of the largest private-sector-backed transformation efforts in South Africa’s history.