Shareholders are expected to vote on the proposal at a general meeting on 31 October, with delisting from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) planned for early December if approved.
His philanthropic vehicle, the Jannie Mouton Foundation, a registered Public Benefit Organisation (PBO), will drive the acquisition. The foundation already holds a 3% stake in Curro.
Mouton calls deal a landmark donation
“For the foundation, acquiring Curro represents a game-changing R7.2 billion donation in quality education, quite possibly the largest philanthropic contribution South Africa has ever seen.
“Over time, this will open the door for thousands more children to attend Curro schools through bursaries, broadening access to excellent education,” Mouton said.
Curro currently educates more than 70,000 students nationwide. The deal would not only take the company private but also reposition it as a PBO. This would enable all future profits and surpluses to be reinvested in expanding facilities, building new schools, and funding bursaries.
Shareholders to get Capitec, PSG shares
Curro has issued a circular to shareholders outlining the details ahead of the upcoming vote in October. Should fractional shares arise in the exchange, they will be rounded down, with the remaining fractions sold on the open market to provide cash payments to shareholders.
For South Africa, the move signals an unprecedented private-sector push into education reform, raising questions about whether billionaire philanthropy could play a decisive role in tackling Africa’s widening education gap.
By merging corporate returns with public benefit ambitions, Mouton’s foundation aims to create a model where private investment directly funds access to education, a model that, if successful, could inspire similar initiatives across the continent.
