YEARS OF
INVESTMENT
SUCCESS
Scroll through the years
to discover our history
1994
Sowing the seeds
After months of raising start-up capital, WIPHOLD is formally established - and the dream of building an investment firm owned and managed by black women is finally given wings.
1995
Nourishing the soil
Founders, Louisa Mojela, Gloria Serobe, Nomhle Canca, and Wendy Luhabe embark on a national roadshow to share their vision and advocate for a new way to empower black women in South Africa.
WIPHOLD’s first investment was a R750 thousand share in JSE-listed investment company Baobab – a company that eventually led to the formation of African Bank Investments. By the time WIPHOLD exited the investment in Baobab, the value had grown to R200 million.
1996
Establishing roots of resilience
WIPHOLD has a strategically diverse investment portfolio that consists of Bidvest; Radio Highveld (now 94.7); clothing chain store, Smart Center; FMCG beauty product manufacturer, Carsons; and mobile communications provider, Ericsson.
1997
Cultivating value
WIPHOLD invests in a business proposition with the strategic intent of developing a strong empowerment pillar. This prospectus attracts 18 000 women shareholders and beneficiaries and raises R25 million in the process. These shares are housed in the WIPHOLD Investment Trust, the company’s empowerment vehicle. In 1998 this investment pool increases to R100 million.
1999
A time for growth
Public listing: In 1999, WIPHOLD becomes the first women's empowerment group to list on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and retains this status until 2003.
WIPCapital emerges: WIPHOLD gains a foothold in the financial services sector through the creation of WIPCapital. Through this strategy, the group acquires a 49% stake in Legae Securities (South Africa’s first black stockbroker and later first black hedge fund manager).