Jens Montanana, a South African tech tycoon and one of Africa’s top tech entrepreneurs, has experienced a significant increase in his net worth this year thanks to the recent surge in his stake in Datatec, a multinational technology group headquartered in Johannesburg.
According to data tracked by Billionaires.Africa, Montanana’s stake in Datatec has risen by R100.63 million ($5.51 million) since the start of the year, largely due to the frenzied buying of tech stocks on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.Â
Datatec is a South African-based company that specializes in providing ICT solutions and services, including software and cloud computing solutions such as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS).
Montanana, who founded the company in 1986, holds a 14.06-percent ownership stake.
Under his leadership, Datatec has expanded to more than 50 countries in North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.
Since the began year, Datatec shares have risen by over 10.4 percent, from R31 ($1.7) on Jan. 1 to R34.23 ($1.87) on March 12.
As a result of the recent uptick, Montanana’s stake has increased by R100.63 million ($5.51 million) since the start of the year, from R965.8 million ($52.84 million) to R1.066 billion ($58.34 million).
Datatec’s 2022 special dividend nets Jens Montanana a whopping $17.91 million
The recent surge in the market value of Montanana’s stake in Datatec represents yet another triumph for the South African tech magnate, who received a special dividend of £16.18 million ($17.91 million) in 2022.
The dividend was paid out on Dec. 5, 2022, directly from the group’s initial consideration received from the sale of Analysys Mason to UK fund manager Bridgepoint Development Capital.
Datatec sold Analysys Mason to unlock value from its investment in the tech industry. As a result, the board of directors approved a special cash dividend of R12.50 ($0.68) per share, totaling £135.1 million ($149.5 million) for distribution to shareholders.
