Adam Kajee has always strived to be the best − from his early years as a top South African swimmer through to representing the South African men’s water polo team. Today, his career in finance is no exception.
Adam’s interest in investments initially led him to Coronation Fund Managers and to completing his chartered financial analyst (CFA) designation. From there, his passion for private equity and actively growing businesses landed him the position of executive assistant (and investment analyst) to both Jannie and Piet Mouton of PSG Group. The position was part of PSG’s mentoring programme and allowed Adam access to the engine room of PSG, where he attended all board and executive meetings.
He also formed part of the PSG Alpha team (Private Equity Division) where, alongside the PSG Alpha CEO, he spearheaded the industry research, due diligence and eventual transaction of PSG’s largest initial investment of R675 million for a 50% equity stake in the premium retirement lifestyle brand Evergreen Lifestyle. Upon conclusion of the transaction, Adam was offered the position of CFO at Evergreen from October 2017.
Evergreen is changing the way people retire in South Africa, and Adam’s financial innovation is offering more South Africans the opportunity of a dignified retirement lifestyle. He has been instrumental in the growth of the business, which has seen assets grow threefold in two years. However, even more rewarding for Adam is the thousands of lives he has influenced through the job opportunities created over this period. Adam is convinced that job creation is a key ingredient of South Africa’s future prosperity.
Adam believes that true success in life is measured by one’s positive influence on others’ lives, and he has had the opportunity to influence lives through his involvement as a founding trustee of the Ruta Sechaba Foundation (established in 2016). The foundation provides academic- and sport-related scholarships, bursaries and awards to qualifying black learners at Curro and Curro-managed schools. Adam has served as chairman since its inception, and over time the foundation provided more than 1 300 bursaries to previously disadvantaged learners. The foundation, and what it provides, is something that brings Adam great pride − it embodies his own life experience by giving other previously disadvantaged leaners access to a life-changing scholarship opportunity.
Adam’s passion for private equity and influencing lives through job creation and transformation has culminated in him founding ThembiSA Equity Investments (Pty) Ltd. This is a B-BBEE private equity company focused on building, transforming and empowering South Africa’s businesses of tomorrow.