From Bank Zero to hero? Big risks but they may pay off for Lesaka

Sholto joined Mergence in July 2022. He has more than 19 years’ experience in financial services with a focus on strategic leadership, product innovation, and research across all asset classes in Public and Private markets. He held various senior roles at the Public Investment Corporation including Acting Chief Investment Officer. Before entering the financial services sector, Sholto pursued a specialised career in resources and precious metals.

Fabian joined Mergence in 2006 and has over 38 years of experience in financial services, specialising in investment and macro strategy. His primary focus is on investment risk, compliance, and regulatory matters across both public and private markets. He serves on the Mergence Group Board as well as the in-country Boards where Mergence operates and has held senior executive roles at major South African banks and retirement funds.

Masimo co-founded Mergence Africa Holdings in 2004 with the vision to create a world-class diversified group. With R42 billion in assets under management, the group spans asset management, derivatives trading, property, and industrial holdings. The primary subsidiary is Mergence Investment Managers, with a dual capability across Public and Private investment markets. Masimo is an entrepreneur by nature and believes fervently in “creating shared value”.

Tshepo Mahloele is the founder and chairman of the leading pan-African investment company, Harith General Partners. An investment professional with extensive background in asset management, Tshepo has worked for various investment houses based in South Africa and the United Kingdom. Under his leadership, Harith has made game-changing investments in infrastructure development on the African continent over the past 17 years, including launching the continent’s first 15-year tenure fund. Tshepo is the Africa Patron of the international climate and social justice advocacy organisation Global Citizen and serves on various boards in the fields of technology, financial services, and media. He is also the chairman of his philanthropic organisation, Tshedo Impact.

Sipho Makhubela is a seasoned investment professional with proven industry leadership and over 20 years of experience in financial services. Prior to joining Harith, he worked for Investec Bank, Coronation Capital and African Merchant Bank in South Africa, focusing on aircraft financing, plant and equipment financing, and various acquisition finance transactions. Sipho joined Harith in 2007 as an Investment Director and was soon promoted to head up the US$630 million Pan African Investment Development Fund 1. He later transitioned into the role of MD: Investments and was appointed CEO of Harith in September 2020. He has invested in and grown business across the continent in countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Cote d’Ivore, amongst others and across various sectors including ICT, Transport and Energy. He currently sits on the board of directors at Mergence Investment Managers.

Lizeka Matshekga is currently the MD: Investments at Harith General Partners, a Pan African Infrastructure Financier and Developer. She joined Harith in 2020 having formerly been the Divisional Executive at the Industrial Development (IDC). She has over 27 years’ diverse financial services industry experience
of which 14 years spent in the development finance environment. Her experience covers asset management, treasury, investment banking and development finance at executive leadership level. She is a seasoned board member in several South African and Multinational companies including Mergence Investment Managers.

Maserame Mouyeme has over 25 years’ experience Africa-wide in senior executive leadership roles, including at Coca Cola, Old Mutual and one of Africa’s largest advertising groups. Further, at the Board level, she has 20 years’ experience in the private, public and NGO sectors. Maserame is passionate about sustainability, branding, public affairs, change management, public policy and businesswomen development. She has qualifications from the University of Cape Town, University of West London, Harvard and Cambridge.

Nyonga Fofang, Independent Non-Executive Director at Mergence, has 25+ years of capital markets experience, specialising in private equity, M&A, leveraged finance, and general management. He co-founded and leads Bambili Group Investment Pty Ltd, a pan-African investment holding company. Nyonga also serves as a director at SourceTrace LLC in Boston. He began as a closed-end fund Equity Analyst at PaineWebber Inc. and holds degrees from Harvard University and UC Louvain.