36ONE Asset Management Seals Landmark B-BBEE Deal to Empower South African Youth

In a move that bridges finance and education, 36ONE Asset Management has announced a landmark Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) deal with a consortium led by MI Capital, signaling a fresh chapter for the company and a win for South African youth.

The deal will see the consortium, which includes 36ONE staff members, acquire a 22% stake in the asset management firm, a significant step that blends financial growth with social impact.

A Union of Finance and Education

Founded in 2004 by Cy Jacobs and Steven Liptz, 36ONE has grown into one of South Africa’s most respected asset managers, with over R60 billion in assets under management (AUM). The company has long been recognised for its disciplined investment strategies and innovative financial products.

Partnering with 36ONE is MI Capital, the investment arm of the Maharishi Invincibility Institute (MII), a Johannesburg-based non-profit that focuses on providing world-class education and skills-to-work programs for South African youth. MI Capital manages a perpetual bursary fund aimed at giving over 100,000 young South Africans access to top-tier education, career opportunities, and entrepreneurial pathways over time.

“This partnership is a significant milestone that unites a top-tier financial firm with a proven leader in youth education and empowerment,” the consortium said in a statement.

Why This Deal Matters

B-BBEE deals are more than compliance exercises, they are tools to reshape economic participation in a country still grappling with historical inequities. By giving staff and a youth-focused consortium a meaningful stake, 36ONE is putting shared ownership at the heart of its business strategy.

Industry analysts are calling this a “win-win”: 36ONE strengthens its social license while MI Capital expands the reach of its educational mission. Over time, the deal is expected to uplift previously disadvantaged South Africans, equipping them with both financial literacy and career opportunities.

On social media, the announcement has been met with optimism. LinkedIn commentators praised the model as an example of how the private sector can drive meaningful societal impact while still achieving business growth.

Beyond the Numbers: Creating Lasting Change

The deal also sets a precedent for how asset managers can partner with non-profits to address systemic issues like youth unemployment and skills shortages. For MI Capital, the infusion of resources from a leading investment firm ensures that its bursary fund continues to grow sustainably, empowering thousands more students each year.

“This partnership is about creating a long-term ripple effect,” said a spokesperson for MI Capital. “It’s not just about ownership; it’s about giving young South Africans the tools to thrive, innovate, and lead the country forward.”

For 36ONE staff, the stake in the company offers both financial participation and a sense of ownership in the firm’s future strategy, tying employee success directly to the company’s broader impact goals.

The 36ONE-MI Capital deal is emblematic of a growing trend in South Africa: businesses leveraging B-BBEE structures to drive not only compliance but also real, measurable societal change. With this partnership, thousands of young people could gain access to education, mentorship, and job opportunities that might otherwise remain out of reach.

As the country continues to navigate economic and social inequality, deals like this signal a new model of corporate responsibility, one that combines smart finance with tangible, life-changing impact for South Africa’s youth.

{Source: IOL}

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