South Africa’s investment community gathered in Johannesburg on 27 November for the Association of Black Securities and Investment Professionals (Absip) Awards 2025, an evening dedicated to recognising outstanding achievement, transformation and leadership within the country’s R12 trillion asset management and broader financial services sector.
Now in its latest iteration, the Absip Awards have become a benchmark for progress in an industry that, despite managing assets equivalent to more than twice national GDP, has historically lagged in reflecting the country’s demographic diversity. As noted by Business Live, black-owned and black-managed firms now control around 12 per cent of total assets under management, up from just 4 per cent a decade ago – a steady climb driven by both regulatory pressure and growing investor demand for inclusive stewardship.
The 2025 ceremony placed particular emphasis on purposeful capital allocation, the rise of women and young professionals, and the increasing sophistication of black-managed strategies across public and private markets. Winners spanned established heavyweights and emerging powerhouses, illustrating the broadening depth of talent reshaping South Africa’s savings and investment ecosystem.
Ninety One claimed the General Services Sustainability Award, acknowledging its integration of environmental, social and governance considerations across its R2.7 trillion global platform while maintaining strong local transformation credentials. Rand Water Provident Fund was named Best Asset Allocator of the Year, praised for its progressive manager selection and commitment to allocating capital to black-owned firms. Alexforbes Investments took home the award for Best Asset Consultant/Multi-Manager.
In the Exceptional category, Barloworld’s executive for strategic finance and treasury, Relebohile Malahleha, received the Woman Leadership Award, while Stellenbosch University’s Relebohile Pheko was honoured as Student Leader of the Year. Nelson Mandela University secured Student Chapter of the Year, reflecting vibrant grassroots engagement with the profession.
Two special recognitions carried particular weight. Reabetswe Kungwane, senior investment specialist at Ninety One, received the Mxolisi Mbetse Award for Outstanding Black Young Professional, while veteran private equity pioneer Mutle Mogase was presented with the Greg Boyd Award for lifelong contribution to Absip and the advancement of black ownership in private markets.
The fiercely contested Best Black Fund Manager categories highlighted performance and transformation combined. Perpetua Investment Managers dominated domestic equities, Old Mutual’s listed property team took the property prize, and Camissa Asset Management – formed from the merger of Kagiso and Metope – was recognised for excellence in multi-asset and global strategies. Fixed-income honours went to Prowess Investment Managers.
In alternatives, Mahlako Investments, a women-led energy and infrastructure private equity house, was named Best Private Equity Fund. Prescient Investment Management secured Best Specialised Private Markets Fund, while Terebinth Capital, known for its activist value-oriented approach, claimed the Hedge Fund award.
According to Absip president Kgotso Schoeman, speaking ahead of the event as reported by Financial Mail, the calibre of this year’s winners demonstrates that black professionals and firms are no longer merely participants but are increasingly setting the pace in performance, innovation and governance. With regulatory changes such as the updated Financial Sector Code targeting 25 per cent black ownership of asset managers by 2030, the momentum celebrated at the gala is expected to accelerate further.
For an industry managing the retirement savings of millions and channelling capital into South Africa’s real economy, the 2025 Absip Awards served as both celebration and statement: transformation is delivering results, and the next generation of black investment leadership has firmly arrived.