Leon Greyling, COO of the ICTS Group of Companies (including EBnet and Motswedi)
In a landmark move that underscores the dynamic growth of Southern Africa’s investment landscape, the Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SAVCA) has officially broadened its mandate to encompass the full spectrum of the private capital ecosystem. Announced on 26 January 2026 from Johannesburg, this strategic evolution positions SAVCA as the unified voice for private markets across the region, extending beyond traditional private equity and venture capital to include growth equity, infrastructure, private credit, real assets, impact investing, secondaries, and other innovative strategies. EBnet extends its heartfelt congratulations to SAVCA on this pivotal expansion, which promises to enhance capital formation, deployment, and long-term value creation in the real economy.
The decision, unanimously approved by members at SAVCA’s September 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM), reflects the rapid maturation of private markets in Southern Africa. As Nicola Gubb, SAVCA’s Interim Executive Director, aptly noted in the announcement, “Private capital is no longer confined to narrow asset classes. It now plays a central role in financing growth, infrastructure, innovation, and resilience across the region. Our expanded mandate ensures that the industry has a unified, credible, and influential voice.” This shift is timely, given the increasing role of private capital in driving entrepreneurship, infrastructure development, transformation, and job creation. By embracing a more inclusive scope, SAVCA aims to foster stronger market infrastructure, policy alignment, and collaboration across investment strategies and life cycles.
Complementing this mandate refresh is a modernised brand identity that symbolises SAVCA’s forward-looking ambition. The organisation is now better equipped to engage with policymakers, regulators, institutional investors, and market participants. Through enhanced research, data provision, education, and advocacy, SAVCA will elevate the visibility and credibility of private capital, ensuring the sector remains globally competitive, responsible, and sustainable. For stakeholders, this means a more coherent platform for industry development, where diverse strategies converge to support economic growth in Southern Africa.
Adding to the excitement is SAVCA’s appointment of Anusha Naidu as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 March 2026. Naidu, a Chartered Accountant (SA) with over two decades of experience in corporate finance, private capital markets, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) advisory, and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) implementation, brings a wealth of expertise to the role. Her career highlights include serving as Corporate Finance and ESG Executive at Select Africa, African Alliance, where she spearheaded capital raising, investor engagement, and strategic growth initiatives across multiple African markets. This involved structuring debt and equity funding in sectors like housing, real estate, and microfinance.
Prior to that, Naidu held senior positions at PwC in London, Dubai, Cape Town, and Johannesburg, advising on high-stakes transactions spanning Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas. Her thought leadership extends to lecturing at the University of Cape Town and contributing to policy discussions on impact investing and sustainable capital. As Vuyo Ntoi, SAVCA Board Chairperson, stated in the announcement, “Anusha’s leadership comes at a time of exciting opportunity for the private capital industry. Her deep relationships across the investor ecosystem, combined with her experience in capital formation, governance, and ESG, will be instrumental in strengthening SAVCA’s role as an industry shaper and catalyst for growth.”
Naidu succeeds Tshepiso Kobile, who stepped down in May 2025, with Nicola Gubb ably serving as Interim Executive Director during the transition. This appointment aligns seamlessly with SAVCA’s broadened mandate, leveraging Naidu’s strategic vision, technical prowess, global perspective, and deep-rooted experience in African capital markets to navigate the evolving private capital landscape. EBnet congratulates Anusha Naidu on her well-deserved role and looks forward to her contributions in steering SAVCA toward greater impact and innovation.
As SAVCA embarks on this transformative chapter, all eyes turn to the upcoming SAVCA Private Equity (PE) Conference 2026, a cornerstone event that exemplifies the organisation’s commitment to fostering dialogue and progress in the industry. Scheduled for 10-11 March 2026 at the Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town, this annual gathering – presented by SAVCA since 2008 – anticipates over 600 attendees from across the private equity ecosystem. The conference serves as a vital platform for building relationships among investors, fund managers, regulators, advisors, and media, while showcasing the value of private equity in driving economic and social development in Southern Africa.
Attendees represent a diverse mix: approximately 29% service providers, 32% fund managers, 22% institutional investors, and 17% from other categories. The event targets representatives from private equity and venture capital fund managers in South Africa, Southern Africa, and beyond, as well as policymakers, senior service providers like bankers and lawyers, and businesses seeking funding. Through engaging sessions and compelling content, the conference contributes to capacity building, highlighting private equity’s role in sustainable growth and resilience.
EBnet is proud to announce its comprehensive coverage of the SAVCA PE Conference 2026, bringing our audience closer to the heart of these discussions. As a leading platform for employee benefits, pensions, and investment insights, EBnet recognises the synergies between private capital and long-term financial security. Our team will be on the ground in Cape Town, equipped with a roving podcast studio to conduct exclusive interviews with key guests, speakers, and industry leaders. These conversations will delve into emerging trends, ESG integration, investment opportunities, and the broader implications of SAVCA’s expanded mandate.
All content, including podcast episodes, video highlights, and in-depth articles, will be published on a dedicated web page at www.ebnet.co.za/savca-pe-conference-2026. Additionally, we’ll amplify the coverage across our various social media handles, ensuring real-time updates, live insights, and interactive engagement for our followers on platforms like LinkedIn, X, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. This initiative not only celebrates SAVCA’s milestones but also empowers our community with actionable knowledge from the forefront of private capital.
Furthermore, EBnet is dedicating the Special Feature of Pensions World SA Quarter 2 2026 to showcasing private markets. Old Mutual Alternative Investments have already agreed to sponsor the Trustee Tutor (verified CPD hours) aligned with the topic. We invite participants in the private markets ecosystem to contact us to provide content for the feature and/or if they wish to advertise.
In conclusion, SAVCA’s expanded mandate and the appointment of Anusha Naidu mark a new era of inclusivity and influence for private capital in Southern Africa. EBnet is thrilled to partner in amplifying these developments through our expanded coverage, fostering connections that drive prosperity. We invite industry stakeholders to join us in Cape Town for what promises to be an inspiring event.
ENDS
