A Transformative Vision for Education
LESSONS FROM THE JANNIE MOUTON FOUNDATION’S CURRO BID
When news broke that the Jannie Mouton Foundation had offered R7.2 billion to buy South Africa’s largest private school operator, Curro Holdings, and convert it into a non-profit institution, it sent shockwaves through the education sector and the country as a whole. For Excel@Uni, a company dedicated to helping organisations manage and maximise the impact of their bursaries, this story is not just about a single transaction; it is about the power of investing boldly in education and the ripple effects such investments can have on South Africa’s transformation.
What makes the deal so unique is its sheer size and commitment. At R7.2 billion, this is being called the largest charitable donation in South Africa’s history. According to Jan Mouton, rather than reducing school fees, the foundation will aim to fund at least 12,000 full bursaries for underprivileged children, build schools in underserved areas, and improve facilities, even where it doesn't make commercial sense. Curro’s CEO, Cobus Loubser, believes that without the transaction it could take 10–30 years to reach many rural communities, whereas the deal could fast track expansion. What’s more, the hurdles make the transaction far from straightforward, and shows the foundation’s commitment. The proposal is structured as a scheme of arrangement, meaning all shareholders must be bought out. The offer price includes a substantial premium and is paid mainly in shares, which must be exchanged and valued fairly. Independent advisors will opine on fairness, and regulators will assess competition and public interest factors.
WHY EXCEL@UNI FINDS THIS INSPIRING
Most of Excel@Uni’s clients invest in tertiary bursaries, helping university students graduate and thrive. The Curro buyout, though focused on school-level education, reinforces our core belief: large scale investments in education can transform society.
LESSONS FOR CORPORATES AND FUNDERS
1. Education must be seen as an investment, not a cost. The Mouton Foundation’s bid shows that allocating billions to education is not folly but foresight. Curro’s existing 189 schools and predominantly black student body demonstrates the capacity for private institutions to reach communities underserved by the public system.
2. Scale requires structure. Cobus Loubser points out that many philanthropic projects fail to scale because they lack robust management. By acquiring Curro, the foundation leverages an established network and management team, ensuring that bursaries and school expansions are delivered efficiently.
3. Profit and purpose can coexist, but purpose must lead. The planned delisting ensures that decisions will no longer be influenced by shareholder returns. Instead, resources will flow to where they create the most impact, be that new schools, bursaries or infrastructure.
To our partners and prospective funders: this is a moment to act. If a single foundation can commit R7.2 billion to reimagine an entire school network, then corporates considering bursary programmes should feel emboldened. Whether you are a company with a talent agenda, a CSI budget or an individual philanthropist, investing in education creates a multiplier effect that benefits families, communities and the national economy.
The Jannie Mouton Foundation’s bold proposal illustrates what can happen when vision, capital and compassion converge. It challenges the status quo of profit-driven education and invites other funders to step up. At Excel@Uni, we celebrate and learn from such acts.
Let’s work together to turn this inspiration into more action