South African tycoon Christopher Seabrooke, the largest shareholder of Sabvest Capital Limited through the Seabrooke Family Trust, has donated 1.4 million shares worth nearly $13 million in the South African investment company to the University of the Witwatersrand Foundation to support the university’s Arts Precinct Expansion project.

According to a company announcement published on September 23, 2026, the off-market donation was made on September 22, with the shares carrying a deemed value of R204.4 million ($12.45 million) based on Sabcap’s prevailing market price of R146 (48.91) per share. The transaction was completed at no consideration, with the required clearance obtained.

Seabrooke family trust reduces Sabcap stake

Following the donation, Christopher Seabrooke, an associate director of Sabcap and CEO of Sabvest Capital, has seen the family’s stake held through the Seabrooke Family Trust’s interest in Sabcap decline to 38.8% of the company’s total issued ordinary shares, from 42.6% previously, which equates to 16 million shares.

The trust is the family trust of Sabcap CEO Christopher Seabrooke, who is a discretionary beneficiary of the stake in the Sandton-based investment holding group. His interest in the transaction is therefore classified as indirect and beneficial through an associate.

The donation represents 3.8 percentage points of Sabcap’s issued ordinary share capital based on the holdings disclosed by the company.

Sabcap said it received the prescribed notification from the Seabrooke Family Trust regarding the change in its beneficial interest, in accordance with South Africa’s Companies Act and the JSE Listings Requirements. The company subsequently filed the required notices with the Takeover Regulation Panel.

Donation supports Wits Arts Precinct expansion

The donated shares will support the University of the Witwatersrand’s Arts Precinct Expansion project, directing a substantial shareholding in Sabcap toward the development of the university’s arts infrastructure.

The transaction is notable because the shares were transferred without consideration, while their deemed value was calculated at R204.4 million using the market price on the transaction date. Sabcap’s board said it accepted responsibility for the information contained in the announcement based on the notification provided by the Seabrooke Family Trust.

Seabrooke’s stake in Sabvest Capital is worth $133 million

Sabvest Capital, founded in 1988, is a diversified investment holding company with interests in financial services, portfolio management, unlisted equity, and long-term offshore bonds. Based in Sandton, invests in listed debt and equity, offshore bond portfolios, and stakes in unlisted businesses. Over the years, the company has built a reputation for steady growth and long-term value creation in South Africa’s investment market.

Following the transaction, the Seabrooke Family Trust remains a significant shareholder in Sabcap with a 38.8% interest currently worth R2.18 billion ($133 million)

The announcement was issued from Sandton on September 23, 2026, with Rand Merchant Bank, a division of FirstRand Bank Limited, acting as the company’s sponsor.