South African tycoon Jonathan Jawno’s Transaction Capital stake surges $3.7 million

Feyisayo Ajayi -

South African businessman Jonathan Jawno has seen his wealth rise on the back of a recent surge in Transaction Capital’s share price. The market value of his stake in the financial services group has climbed by R69.76 million ($3.73 million) over the past two weeks, according to data tracked by Billionaires.Africa.

The recent value gain reflects growing investor interest in Transaction Capital after the company announced the divestment of Nutun Australia Holdings. The move signals Transaction Capital’s focus on optimizing its portfolio amid ongoing challenges in the South African minibus taxi industry, which have weighed on its SA Taxi subsidiary.

Transaction Capital’s market cap tops $350 million

Transaction Capital is a South African financial services group that specializes in asset-backed lending and niche risk services. As a leading non-deposit financial services company, it maintains active operations in South Africa and Australia.

Over the past two weeks, Transaction Capital’s shares on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) have surged by 12 percent, from R8 ($0.428) on Mar. 20 to R8.96 ($0.479). This boost has pushed the company’s market cap over $350 million, returning impressive gains for shareholders like Jawno.

Jonathan Jawno’s stake jumps amid stock boom

Jonathan Jawno, a founding member of Transaction Capital, holds a 9.59-percent stake in the group, amounting to 72,667,000 ordinary shares. This makes him the group’s second-largest shareholder, trailing only behind Public Investment Corporation, Africa’s largest fund manager.

With the recent surge in the group’s shares, Jawno’s stake in Transaction Capital has increased by R69.76 million ($3.73 million), elevating his stake from its previous valuation of R581.34 million ($31.09 million) on Mar. 20 to R651.09 million ($34.83 million).

This substantial gain solidifies Jawno’s position as one of the wealthiest investors on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, further emphasizing his influence and success within the South African financial landscape.