An investment company growing a diversified portfolio through long-term strategic partnerships and directly empowering persons with disabilities.
We promote visible diversity and inclusion of persons with disabilities in business; dismantle stigmas, stereotypes and misconceptions about disability, and/or about persons with disabilities in general; enhance BEE score-cards (where applicable); and strengthen prospects of sustainable business transformation.
Our Investments
DEmpower’s maiden investment was the acquisition of 13.5% interest in Cloudberry Fund Managers in 2019. Subsequent investments were acquired on loan account from the Disability Empowerment Concerns Trust and the DEC Investment Holding Company (PTY) Ltd—collectively, the DEC Group—effective from 2nd March 2020.
Investments acquired from DEC effective 02 March 2020
Investments acquired from DEC effective 02 March 2020 and Exited
Founded in 1977, as Oasys Innovations (Pty) Ltd, now GL events SA, is one of the industry leaders in event strategy, implementation and management not only in South Africa and Africa but internationally as well. The Company is majority owned by GL events, which is listed on the Paris NYSE – EURONEXT stock exchange with a market cap of around €360m. GL events SA is a turnkey supplier of complete and specialised custom design stands, shop fitting modular shell scheme, electrical, furniture, marketing, graphics, marquees, flooring, draping, air-conditioning, to all the major businesses, exhibition and event organisers in South Africa.”
Sphere Holdings is a South African investment holding company founded in 2003, specializing in private equity and empowerment investments. With a focus on fostering sustainable growth, Sphere partners with established businesses across sectors such as industrial services, manufacturing, and logistics. The company is dedicated to driving transformation, creating value for stakeholders, and contributing to economic development. By aligning with businesses that demonstrate strong leadership and growth potential, Sphere Holdings delivers long-term value while supporting South Africa’s broader economic and social goals.
Investments acquired from DEC effective 02 March 2020, subsequently Exited and Reinvested
Other Investments acquired by DEmpower since 2019
Our Investment Partners
Partners are carefully-selected based on aligned interests, transparency, track record, mutual respect, value-contribution and trust.
In operation since 2007, Kapela is a professionally managed, majority black-owned private equity investor with more than 80 years of executive management experience.
DEmpower and Kapela Holdings co-own Cloudberry Fund Managers which is defined as a Black Equity Fund Manager in South Africa.
CAPITALWORKS is an independent alternative asset management firm providing investment access and specialist solutions to its clients across a wide range of industries and investment themes in global emerging markets.
Why DEmpower?
- Long-term view to investing
- Diligence and responsiveness
- Broad-based impact on a truly disadvantaged constituency of South Africa’s population
- Professionalism
- Good governance
Our Origins
Established in 2019, DEmpower was a ground-breaking value-preservation initiative and strategy of the Disability Empowerment Concerns Trust in response to the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Commission’s challenge of DEC’s BEE credentials in 2018 and 2019. At least 47 persons with disabilities—majority Black and majority Black female—subscribed for shares on offer thus showcasing/leading the economic transformation agenda through direct, visible, measurable and meaningful economic participation by persons with disabilities in the country’s economic mainstream through BEE. This demonstrates a shift from indirect economic benefit of persons with disabilities through funded initiatives and programs only.
BEE Credentials
DEmpower Shareholders are people who contribute and/or had historically contributed in the Disability Sector, particularly in DEC and in the related National Non-Profit Organisations that provide services to and in the interests of the broader population of persons with disabilities in South Africa.
Directors
The Board comprises of 8 directors – 2 Males and 6 Black Females
- Sebenzile Matsebula (Non-Executive Chairperson)
- Nonhlanhla Bakasa (Non-Executive Director)
- Portia Loyilane (Non-Executive Director)
- Thembani Piyose (Non-Executive Director)
- Sandra Dreyer (Non-Executive Director)
- Rhulani Nkuna (Non-Executive Director)
- Jan Mokoala (Financial Consultant)
- Nyameka Mqikela (Executive Director)
(Non-Executive Chairperson)
(Non-Executive Director)
(Non-Executive Director)
(Non-Executive Director)
(Non-Executive Director)
(Non-Executive Director)
(Financial Consultant)
(Executive Director)