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Sanlam Investments
Skip Navigation LinksOur Purpose

Revitalised purpose;
fresh impact!

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. We are a level three contributor.

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™.

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