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Our Empowerment Journey Our Empowerment Journey

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Sanlam Investments
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Our Empowerment Journey

Our commitment to transformation and empowerment.

Early Empowerment Pioneers

Sanlam has a proud history of pioneering empowerment transactions, going back as far as 1993.

1993
New Africa Investments Limited (NAIL)
Sanlam pioneered South Africa’s first black economic empowerment deal with Methold. Methold later became New Africa Investment Limited (NAIL), the first major black-controlled company to list on the JSE.
1996
Real Africa Asset Management (RAAM)
1. Sanlam and Real Africa Investments Limited (RAIL) formed Real Africa Asset Management (RAAM), which then launched an Empowerment Equity Fund – the first unit trust for ‘black chip’ investments.
2. Sanlam started the R2bn Sanlam Development Fund, which has capitalised over 100 BEE deals.
1998
Demutualisation and listing
Demutualisation – 2 million policyholders became shareholders. Sanlam Private Equity also pioneered BEE financing in South Africa by providing start-up capital of R100 million for a major black-controlled company to list on the JSE.
2006
Vukile Property Fund
BEE shareholding in large cap property fund – Vukile Property Fund.
2004
UB empowerment transaction
First major financial institution in South Africa to conclude an empowerment transaction (Ubuntu-Botho created R15bn for broad-based black shareholders after 10 years – since renewed).
2002
First BEE charter
Sanlam was one of the first companies to commit to the development of a BEE charter for the financial sector.
2013
African Rainbow Capital (ARC)
African Rainbow Capital created as premier black-owned financial services company.
2017
Progressive Smooth Bonus Fund
First black-managed smoothed bonus product – Progressive Smooth Bonus Fund.
2018
New B-BBEE transaction
New B-BBEE transaction and issuance of a further 5% of share capital to empowerment shareholders, focusing on black women and young people.
2019
Black ownership increases to 18%
B-BBEE transaction increased direct black ownership from 13% to 18%.
2020
New ARC transaction
Our transaction with African Rainbow Capital Financial Services (ARC FS) makes Sanlam one of the largest black-empowered asset management companies in South Africa.
2022
Acquisition of ABSA Asset Management
We achieved a Level 1 BEE status on 31 December 2022.

Our Partnership With African Rainbow Capital

Africa Rainbow Capital is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ubuntu-Botho Investments Limited, which bought a 25% share in Sanlam Investments, Sanlam’s asset management business.

It was essential for us to transform in line with the needs and preferences of our clients by creating a leading black-owned asset management business. Together we aim to achieve a positive and long-term social and economic impact that benefits shareholders. This includes Ubuntu-Botho Investments shareholders, which is made up of historically disadvantaged groups, including black women, black youth and disadvantaged communities.

Financial inclusivity and community upliftment are the fundamental principles that underpin the activities of the Ubuntu-Botho Investments group. Profits generated and dividends declared have channelled significant financial flows to development trusts with various community groups as beneficiaries.

Watch a video about the Ubuntu-Botho and Sanlam partnership – a partnership for good:

Watch the video

The Sanlam Foundation

The Sanlam Foundation aims to help all South Africans improve their financial wellbeing, live better lives and secure the future for the next generation by taking care of the environment. Together, we’re building a society of Wealthsmiths™.

Read more

Our Commitments to Transformation

At Sanlam Investments, we adopt the transformation principles and practices that govern the entire Sanlam Investment Group. Our main transformation focus areas include:

  • Diversity and inclusion in the workplace
    • We not only embrace and respect difference, we celebrate it.
    • We want to attract, develop and retain employees from different backgrounds by promoting a culture of inclusion, where all individuals are engaged, able to perform, able to access opportunities, and thrive.
    • In line with one of our core values, Embracing Diversity and Change, we leverage diversity and inclusion to drive sustainable business results, and competitive advantage.
  • Partnering with and empowering black businesses
    • Sanlam has a long history of empowerment and BEE transactions that go back to 1993, when we sold Metropolitan to New African Investments Ltd (Nail), the first black BEE company in SA.
    • We believe in creating true equity transfer to black balance sheets, through empowering sustainable and profitable businesses.
  • Broad-based black economic empowerment
    • Ubuntu-Botho Investments has been Sanlam's empowerment partner since 2004. It currently holds 14% of Sanlam's issued shares, making this a significant B-BBEE transaction in the financial services sector.
    • Our percentage of black ownership is 31.33%, of which 14% is represented by the Ubuntu-Botho broad-based black economic empowerment consortium.
    • Sanlam Investments has a 110% B-BBEE procurement recognition level and is a Level Three Contributor.

At Sanlam Investments, our purpose is to nurture and grow our clients’ wealth while making a meaningful contribution to transforming, growing and developing our economy

Watch the video

At Sanlam Investments we believe in an African Proverb that says, “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together

Watch the video

Awards

2022

Morningstar Award

SALTA Awards

2021

SALTA Awards

2020

SALTA Awards

2019

Raging Bull

Sanlam Investment Management Enhanced Yield Fund
Sanlam Multi Managed Conservative Fund of Funds
Sanlam Global Property Fund

2018

City of London Wealth Management Awards

Sanlam Global High Quality Fund

Thomson Lipper Awards

Sanlam Global High Quality Fund: Long Only Equity Fund – Long Term Performance

Private Asset Managers Awards

Net Worth Proposition: High Growth Portfolio Performance Award

Financial Express Awards

Sanlam Strategic Bond Fund: Best Fund, Strategic Bond Fund

Investment Week
Fund Manager of the Year

(Category: Strategic Bond, Fund: Sanlam Strategic Bond Fund), Craig Veysey

Investment Week
Fund Manager of the Year

(Category: Absolute Return-Multi Asset, Fund: Sanlam FOUR Multi-Strategy Fund), Mike Pinggera

Raging Bull

SIM Enhanced Yield Fund
Sanlam Global Property Fund

2017

Raging Bull

Sanlam Investment Management Enhanced Yield Fund
Sanlam Investment Management Small Cap Fund
Sanlam International Investment Partners India Opportunities Fund

2016

Raging Bull

Sanlam Investment Management Small Cap Fund
Sanlam Investment Management Industrial Fund
Sanlam Global Balanced Fund of Funds
Sanlam Global Cautious Fund of Funds
Sanlam Global Bond Fund

ABSIP Financial Services Sector Awards

Multi Asset Fund Manager of the Year, Natasha Narsingh

Best African FinTech Company 2016 SatrixNow & EasyEquities

African Fintech Awards

Imbasa Yegolide Award

Equities’ Manager of the Year

2015

Raging Bull

Sanlam Investment Management
Enhanced Yield Fund

Loerie Award

Top Brand 2015

Intellidex Top Private Banks and Wealth Manager Survey

Top Wealth Manager in SA

2014

Raging Bull Award Certificate

Sanlam Investment Management Industrial Fund

HedgeNews Africa Awards

Blue Ink Fixed Income Arbitrage Fund

2013

Lipper Award (UK) 2013

Sanlam Global Financial Fund (USD)

Investment Week
Fund Manager of the Year

(Category: Financials), Kokkie Kooyman

2012

Raging Bull Award

Sanlam Investment Management Global Best Ideas
Feeder Fund

Morning Star Award

Sanlam Investment Management Global Financial Fund

Investment Week
Fund Manager of the Year

(Category: Financials), Kokkie Kooyman

2011

Investment Week
Fund Manager of the Year

(Category: Financials), Kokkie Kooyman

2010

Investment Week
Fund Manager of the Year

(Category: Financials), Kokkie Kooyman

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