Tshepo Mahloele has cemented his position among South Africa’s richest businessmen, a feat attributed to his strategic investments spanning various financial services, infrastructure, real estate, and technology sectors. This has positioned him as a prominent figure in the nation’s economic landscape.
Hailing from Pretoria, Mahloele’s journey was marked by pioneering strategies for Black economic empowerment during his tenure at Rand Merchant Bank. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to the furniture business, an experience that taught him invaluable entrepreneurship and risk management lessons.
Today, Mahloele stands tall as the founder and chairman of the Lebashe Investment Holding Group. With a diverse portfolio spanning financial services, technology, media, telecom, and more, he has empowered lives through strategic investments and ventures. Mahloele’s influence extends beyond boardrooms, as seen in landmark infrastructure projects across Africa.
Among his investments, his 7.26-percent stake in Capitec Bank via Lebashe is a jewel. Valued at nearly $790 million, this stake cements his position among South Africa’s billionaire bankers, illuminating his profound imprint on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
Billionaires.Africa has identified and cataloged various companies and holdings linked to Mahloele. Here are ten companies where he holds direct or indirect ownership:Â
Mahloele owns a significant stake in Capitec Bank, a leading financial institution in South Africa with a vast customer base and a strong presence built over two decades. Mahloele’s impressive 7.26-percent stake in the bank through Lebashe Investment Holding Group has positioned him as a key investor on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
Established by Mahloele in 2015, Lebashe Investment Group has rapidly grown through strategic investments. Holding a net asset value of R3 billion ($159 million), Lebashe operates across financial services, technology media, telecom, and mining and resources. As a 100-percent Black-owned investment holding firm, Lebashe envisions integration and cross-selling prospects, embracing technology and evolving social norms.
REPAID, short for Renewable Energy, Property, and Infrastructure Development, strategically aims to synergize key sectors by acquiring concessions and optimizing value chain participation. In 2018, Mahloele’s Lebashe Investment Group invested in Repaid, propelling it to acquire a majority stake in Voltas Technologies. This expanded Repaid’s African presence, leveraging its partnership with Lebashe.
Established in 2006, Harith General Partners is one of the foremost pan-African catalyst for infrastructure investment and development. Bolstered by assets exceeding $1.2 billion under management, Harith empowers investors with prime access to pivotal projects spanning diversified sectors. Renowned for its prowess, Harith shines as a significant player in African infrastructure investment. Under the leadership of Mahloele, the firm excels in value generation across the continent’s core sectors: energy, transport, digital infrastructure, health, and water.
Lebashe’s acquisition of Arena Holdings’ Media Assets expands its daily reach to millions. This comprehensive deal covers newspapers, TV, radio, digital, magazine, and film products, including iconic South African heritage brands. As the leading national English publishing group and second-largest digital publisher in the country, with titles like Sunday Times, Daily Dispatch, and Herald dating back over a century, these brands hold immense cultural significance and shape the national narrative, serving as platforms for information, inspiration, and diverse voices.
Luft Technik Pty Ltd., wholly owned by Black entrepreneurs, with 49-percent ownership by Black women, provides HVAC contracting, building management systems, specialized installations, solar solutions, green technologies, and equipment supply. Excelling in diverse domains, they merge technical prowess with tailored, sustainable solutions.
- VOLTAS Technologies
VOLTAS Technologies is a leading engineering firm specializing in sustainable energy solutions, particularly in industrial, commercial, and large residential thermal energy processes in Sub-Saharan Africa. As a premier supplier, the company provides top-quality integrated thermal energy solutions. Through advanced technologies, VOLTAS empowers nations and enterprises to achieve energy balance, promoting environmental harmony and well-being.
- RainFin
RainFin stands as South Africa’s pioneering online credit marketplace, a unique platform that embodies the foundational lending elements of a forward-looking bank. With an already established technology framework and carefully designed operational and legal structures, RainFin introduces a multi-product lending marketplace to the country, including innovations that emerged in response to the escalating costs associated with conventional lending.
- Seshego Consulting
Seshego Consulting specializes in corporate benefits consulting for companies and retirement funds, which involves curating top-tier solutions from the insurance, medical aid, and asset management sectors. Backed by a seasoned team, their customer-centric approach merges seamlessly with technology and innovation, effectively managing costs while enhancing the employee benefits journey.
- EOH
EOH leads Africa’s technology services, covering the ICT value chain across Africa, the UK, Europe, and the Middle East. With Lebashe’s acquisition of EOH, Mahloele gains substantial ownership, solidifying their partnership since March 2018. This investment complements Lebashe’s vision, leveraging EOH’s ICT influence and creating dynamic synergy for tech industry impact globally.
