MTN-Vodacom duopoloy? Maziv deal a big shake-up for SA”s digital landscape – analysts
Following the news that the Competition Commission will no longer oppose the R10bn acquisition by Vodacom of at least a 30% stake in Remgro’s newly-created fibre infrastructure company Maziv, Mergence CIO Peter Takaendesa said that notwithstanding absent revised details of the tie-up, the merger should lead to accelerated fibre rollout and job creation in the […]
From Bank Zero to hero? Big risks but they may pay off for Lesaka
Bank Zero, launched in 2018, has struggled to gain traction, with challenges in gaining significant deposit and loan market share. Will its acquisition by fintech group Lesaka boost performance? Radebe Sipamla, co-portfolio manager at Mergence Investment Managers, believes the Lesaka/Bank Zero partnership may lead to growth, giving Lesaka the chance to disrupt other banks’ non-interest […]
Naspers scouts for new investments
Naspers has tasked its executives to look for investment opportunities in South Africa by the end of its 2026 financial year for its next cycle of investment, with a focus on Latin America, India and Europe where Prosus will roll out a top-lifestyle e-commerce eco-system driven by AI. The group owns Takealot, Mr D, Media24, […]
Billions in benefits owed but unclaimed
Banks, retirement fund firms, insurance companies and the JSE are sitting on more than R90bn in unclaimed benefits belonging to members of the public, including R4.5bn in unclaimed dividends. They are trying to trace millions of beneficiaries who might not know they are due a payout. Radebe Sipamla, co-portfolio manager at Mergence Investment Managers, outlined […]
Incorporating ESG factors into fixed income portfolios
In discussion with EBnet editor, Nathalie Burrows, Mergence’s Head of Fixed Income, Mohamed Ismail, shares some insights into the intricacies of including ESG factors in fixed income investment portfolios.
SA stocks poised to extend golden first-half rally
South African stocks are heading for their best first-half performance in almost two decades, and precious-metal prices could pave the way for further gains. Commenting on the topic, Peter Takaendesa, Chief Investment Officer at Mergence Investment Managers, said: “If a few stars align such as continued fund flows toward EMs and structural reforms in South […]
How I learned to stop worrying and love not owning Tesla
In this thinkpiece in Currency, Fazila Manjoo, Manager of the Mergence Global Quant Equity Portfolio at Mergence Investment Managers, dispels some possible myths about Tesla. The stock, which is the most contentious of the Magnificent Seven stocks, has hit the headlines since the Trump-Musk Bromance faltered. Are investors who don’t hold the stock in missing […]
South African tech mergers and acquisitions battle to rebound
South Africa’s mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in the technology sector remains flat amid rising inflation, increased cost of capital and geopolitical uncertainty. Commenting on the situation, Peter Takaendesa, Mergence CIO, says it is quite likely that we will see even higher levels of M&A in the broader TMT sector if structural economic reforms in […]
Fixing SA’s water crisis – why private capital must be part of the solution
Public-private partnerships in the water sector: Chito Siame, Head: Private Equity at Mergence Investment Managers, examines the need for private capital to help fix South Africa’s broken water sector. In a wide-ranging thinkpiece in Business Day, Chito also discusses the role of local government and how PPPs can be enablers, not threats, to municipalities. An […]
SA stocks rally with a boost from China
Peter Takaendesa, Mergence CIO, comments on Bloomberg on the rally in the FTSE/JSE Alsi Index which was up 7% in May, boosted largely by Naspers/Tencent. According to Peter, whether the rally will continue will depend on the South African coalition government’s commitment to push through economic reforms, metal prices and the “sell America” trade that […]
Trustees – how much do you know about infrastructure as an asset class?
In the latest issue of Pensions World, Chito Siame, Head: Private Equity at Mergence Investment Managers, provides some useful information for the benefit of trustees on how to access infrastructure as an asset class. He balances some of the challenges with the advantages to be gained from this important and growing alternative asset class, such […]
Mergence strengthens succession bench with internal promotions
Citywire South Africa featured Mergence Investment Managers’ internal leadership appointments aimed at strengthening succession planning and driving long-term growth. The article highlights the promotion of Peter Takaendesa to Chief Investment Officer (CIO), reflecting the firm’s commitment to nurturing talent from within. These strategic changes reinforce Mergence’s focus on sustainable development, robust governance, and investment continuity.
