Stocking up on your generational wealth

With seven of the top ten places at the annual Sunday Times Top 100 Companies Awards being filled by mining companies, the role of the sector in contributing to the South African economy cannot be understated.  Kumba Iron Ore was announced as the Top 100 Company of the Year, with Montauk Renewables and Anglo American Platinum celebrated in second and third places respectively.  

The Sunday Times Top 100 Companies, futured by BCX, is one of the most prestigious and highly-anticipated events on the South African business calendar. This year’s keynote address – Seizing Business Growth in the “Never Normal” Era - was presented by Peter Hinssen, a globally-regarded thought leader on entrepreneurship, digitalisation and innovation, and author of five best-selling business books.

To qualify for the Sunday Times Top 100 Companies, JSE-listed companies are required to hold a minimum market capitalisation of R5 billion as of 31 August 2021, with winners determined by the highest returns for their shareholders over a five-year period, based on a theoretical initial investment of R10,000.

For the period from 1 September 2016 to 31 August 2021, Kumba Iron Ore (JSE:KIO) showed an annual compound growth rate of 53.8%. This means that R10,000 invested in 2016 would have delivered R86,180 in 2021. 

Montauk Renewables (JSE: MKR) realised annual CAGR of 47.1% to deliver R68,879 on a R10,000 investment made in 2016, and Anglo American Platinum (JSE: AMS) returned R51,494 with a CAGR of 38.8%.

Leadership awards

Sunday Times editor S’thembiso Msomi believes that under circumstances that have challenged the South African economy over the past 18 months, the Top 100 Companies Awards are a much-needed opportunity to shine a light on the determination of the private sector in contributing to SA’s bottom-line.

“Were it not for the concerted efforts and innovations brought about in a relatively short space of time – across all sectors as we’ve had to deal with a new working, business and operational climate – the country would be facing far more dire economic consequences. Private enterprise needs to be applauded for its tenacity,” says Msomi.

The Business Leader of the Year Award acknowledges those who have made a significant contribution to the South African economy and is decided by CEOs of the Sunday Times Top 100 Companies from the previous year.  

This year Adrian Gore, Global Group Chief Executive of Discovery Ltd has received the nod from his industry peers, recognising the leadership he has shown in facilitating the rollout of highly efficient Covid-19 vaccination sites across the country.  Gore joins an elite list of former recipients including Michael Brown, Lesetja Kganyago, Pravin Gordhan, Dr Johan van Zyl, Dr Michael Jordaan, Gerrie Fourie and Phuthuma Nhleko, amongst others. 

Jabu Mabuza, former businessman, investor and Chairman of the Eskom board, was celebrated posthumously with the Lifetime Achiever Award. 

The award is decided by a high-profile independent panel, recognising an individual that consistently contributes to the South African economy. Mabuza joins an exclusive group of previous Lifetime Achiever Award recipients including Jacko Maree, Adrian Gore, Dr Patrice Motsepe, Dr Johann Rupert, Dr Bobby Godsell, Brian Joffe, Former President Nelson Mandela, Allan Gray, Dr Stephen Koseff, Dr Richard Maponya, Dr Bill Venter, Dr Nthato Motlana, Sir Donald Gordon, Dr Sam Motsuenyane, Koos Bekker, Raymond Ackerman and Dr Anton Rupert.

BCX Innovation Award winners

The winners of the third BCX Digital Innovation Awards were also streamed during the Sunday Times Top 100 Companies Awards event.  

The BCX Digital Innovation Awards ‘honour South African organisations that have taken up the flag to transform their businesses through technological advancements and digital transformation.’  

The first-place winner in the SME category is 911 Response 24 with RTT Logistics announced as the first-place winner of the Corporate category.

“This year’s entrants have proven beyond doubt that South Africa is more than capable of playing on a global stage, and most importantly, there is so much scope for technology to create solutions that can move our economy forward. Quite evidently, our entrants gave the esteemed judges a very hard time this year!” says Jonas Bogoshi, Chief Executive Officer at BCX. 

The Sunday Times Top 100 Companies results were compiled by Vestra Advisory and have been evaluated by Deloitte. 

The results of the Sunday Times Top 100 Companies will be published in the newspaper on 14 November 2021.