In what could be one of the biggest philanthropic shifts in South Africa’s corporate history, Capitec founder Jannie Mouton has made a multi-billion rand offer to take over and transform Curro Holdings into a non-profit education institution.
Mouton’s foundation, the Jannie Mouton Stigting, has put forward a R7.2 billion bid to acquire and delist the private school operator Curro Holdings from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). The ambitious plan would see Curro restructured as a non-profit entity, redirecting all future profits towards expanding access to quality education—particularly in underserved communities.
The proposed deal has already sparked major interest in the market. Curro’s share price jumped more than 53% following the announcement. The offer of R13 per share represents a 60% premium over the company’s previous closing price. The acquisition will be funded through a combination of cash and shares in Capitec Bank and PSG Financial Services. Finalisation is expected by late 2025 or early 2026, subject to regulatory and shareholder approval.
A Bold Vision for Educational Reform
Speaking to Kaya Biz’s Gugulethu Mfuphi, Jan Mouton, Deputy Chairman of the Jannie Mouton Foundation and son of Jannie Mouton, detailed the vision behind the bold move. The foundation intends to repurpose Curro’s extensive national network to deliver high-quality education not only in urban areas but also in remote and underserved regions.
Under the non-profit model, all surplus funds will be reinvested into the organisation. These funds will be used to expand infrastructure, provide scholarships, fund bursaries, and develop new schools—rather than being distributed to shareholders.
“This is not just a business deal—it’s a legacy project,” said Jan Mouton. “It’s about building an education system that serves all South Africans.”
Widespread Support From Leadership
The proposal has received backing from key Curro leadership. Dr Chris van der Merwe, the school group’s founder, and CEO Cobus Loubser have both expressed support, assuring parents, students, and staff that daily operations will remain unchanged.
Loubser also spoke to Kaya Biz regarding Curro’s interim financial results for the six months ending June 2025, noting that while the economic environment remains challenging, the group has demonstrated resilience.
He further stated that moving away from a traditional profit model would allow Curro to fully embrace its educational mission, free from shareholder pressure, and accelerate the roll-out of quality learning opportunities for more South African learners.
One of SA’s Largest Philanthropic Acts
The scale of the transaction—and its philanthropic nature—makes it one of the largest of its kind in South Africa’s history. For Jannie Mouton, who transformed the country’s banking sector with Capitec, this marks a full-circle moment: using business acumen to reshape education for the public good.
If successful, the deal could serve as a blueprint for corporate-led social transformation, proving that companies can evolve into powerful agents of national development without compromising operational excellence.
