RMB Corvest and Umoya Capital Partners Acquire Stake in Sants Private Higher Education Institution
RMB Corvest and Umoya Capital Partners have jointly acquired a significant minority stake in Sants Private Higher Education Institution. Sants, founded in 1997, has evolved into a distance tertiary education provider focusing on Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programs. The institution offers programs such as a Diploma in Grade R Teaching, a Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase, and a Bachelor of Education in Intermediate Phase. Sants has provided programs and qualifications to more than 40,000 educators in South Africa.
The investment aligns with RMB Corvest’s BEE (Black Economic Empowerment) strategy and addresses the growing need for qualified teachers in South Africa. The retirement wave among the current teacher workforce is expected to peak around 2030, creating a demand for new educators. The investment in Sants is seen as timely, especially considering the significant interest from school leavers to pursue teaching qualifications.
Jaco Bernard of Sants emphasized the institution’s commitment to delivering quality teacher education that addresses the diverse needs of the South African education system. The partnership with RMB Corvest and Umoya Capital Partners, both of which have experience in the education sector, is expected to provide valuable expertise and support for Sants’ growth.
Geoff Wilmot, Executive at RMB Corvest, highlighted Sants’ focus on quality education at a reasonable cost, along with its customer service orientation. He also noted that the institution’s approach is well-suited to the South African context.
The partnership is anticipated to further propel Sants’ growth and contribute to addressing the need for qualified teachers in the country.
About RMB Corvest: RMB Corvest is an investment holding company that focuses on partnering with entrepreneurs and management teams to build and grow sustainable businesses. The company invests across various industries, including education.
About Umoya Capital Partners: Umoya Capital Partners is a private equity firm that invests in a range of industries in South Africa, with a focus on transformation and creating value for stakeholders.