Uranus is an Investment holding company, founded in 2005. The company was established to participate in the South African BEE investment opportunities. Uranus focuses on investments in the financial services and information technology sectors, as well as on education and training.
Since the company was established in 2005, the business landscape has profoundly changed. In particular, the financial crisis of 2008 seriously threatened the sustainability of businesses across all economic sectors, irrespective of size and longevity.
Many businesses were unable to weather the storm and were bankrupted. Some highly leveraged companies were unable to service debt and went bust. Others, including Uranus, were able to survive that challenging period and remain on a sound financial footing.
In March 2020, the business landscape once again experienced unprecedented economic and social disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the alarming spread of the COVID-19 virus, the President announced a hard lockdown from March 26 to April 16, 2020.
Since that time and as I write this in January 2021, the country has remained at various levels of lockdown to contain the spread of a strain of coronavirus which has become even more infectious. Developed countries have recently embarked upon extensive vaccination programmes and South Africa is expected to start soon – there are encouraging signs that the country will be able to procure the necessary vaccines at an affordable price.
No doubt, the impact of COVID-19 on the economy has been devastating and we have to brace ourselves for worse to come. Sadly, many small businesses have gone bankrupt; an unprecedented level of retrenchments has ensued, and the level of unemployment has soared. The government has attempted to soften the impact on the poor and vulnerable by introducing special grants, but these measures are not sustainable because of an already overstretched fiscus. So, we have to find creative ways to keep the economy going and to mitigate the risks of more businesses going bust and more workers being retrenched.
Nonetheless, history has shown that we are a resilient nation. We have been through worse and we will get through this crisis. It is essential for us to strictly follow the Covid-19 protocols and guidelines and to get vaccinated as soon as the vaccines become more readily available. Despite all of these unfortunate events, the businesses within our investment portfolio have shown remarkable resilience and have not only weathered the storm but have emerged much stronger. As a consequence, our business remains in a sound solvency and liquidity position.
Chief Executive
Jeffrey van Rooyen
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY
URANUS GROUP PROFILE
Uranus Investment Holdings (Pty) Ltd is the group holding company. The major subsidiary companies include:
The major subsidiary companies:
Leshume Solutions (Pty) Ltd.
A broad based empowerment company that focuses primarily on the information, communication and technology sector. It is 100% black owned, with 170 beneficiaries with black women making up 51 % of the beneficiaries.
Uranus Financial Services (Pty) Ltd
A broad based empowerment company that will pursue empowerment opportunities in the financial services sector. It is 100% black owned, with 181 beneficiaries in-aggregate with black women making up 51% of the beneficiaries.
BEE Investor Groups
Neledzi Women Investment(Pty) Limited, a women’s group with expertise in various fields including legal, financial, health and business comprising some 39 beneficiaries.
Andryan Investments(Pty) Limited, trading as Uni-vest FSS, a group of business persons , medical doctors and other professionals, comprising some 51 beneficiaries.
Sekela Investments (Pty) Limited,a group of professionals in the accounting fields, comprising 8 beneficiaries.
Autumn Star Trading 405 (Pty) Limited, a group with financial and legal expertise. The 25 beneficiaries includes people with disabilities.
Cream Magenta 169 (Pty) Ltd, trading as Group 10, a group of prominent businesspersons and professionals with a diverse range of skills and expertise; these include shop owners, teachers, community workers, lawyers and financial experts
Social Responsibility
“… We are committed to the upliftment of the communities that we come from, and to the upliftment of all previously disadvantaged South Africans…”
Over the last 12 years, Uranus has provided expertise and financial support to the following NGO’s:
- Riverlea Development Trust
- South African Music Competition Trust
- Reggie Feldman Education Trust
- Riverlea Secondary School
- Malcolm Anthony Dreyer Golf Development Trust
- Alexandra Hospice and Rehabilitation Centre
- Queen Butterfly Foundation
- Riverlea Empowerment Centre
- Jordan House
- Wilhelmina Hoskins Primary School
- CJB Secondary School
OUR TEAM
Money Doesn't Come Without Guidance...
Jeff van Rooyen
Chief Executive of Uranus Investment Holdings (Pty) Ltd
Current Positions Held
- Chairman of Exxaro Resources Ltd: 2018-Present
- Lead Independent Director of Pick n Pay Stores Limited (Retail & Distribution): Present
Former Positions Held
- Director at MTN Group Limited
- Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) previously, Financial Services Board (FSB
- Partner at Deloitte & Touche (South Africa),
- Independent Non-Executive Director: Pick n Pay Stores Limited (Retail & Distribution)
- Founder and President of the Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants (ABASA) and President
- Chairman of Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors (IRBA), previously, Public Accountants and Auditors Board (PAAB)
Qualifications and Affiliations:
- BCom, BCompt (Hons),
- Chartered Accountant CA(SA)
- Honorary Life Member of South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA)
Dr Angela Mathee
Director, South African Medical Research Council
Current Positions Held
- Director at South African Medical Research Council
- Environment & Health Research Unit, South Africa Medical Research Council
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Urban Health
- Visiting Professor- University of Johannesburg
- Associate Professor – University of the Witwatersrand
Former Positions Held
- Executive Officer (Director): Urban Environmental Management: Eastern Metropolitan Local Council (Johannesburg)
- City of Johannesburg:
- Deputy Director: Environment & Development
- Epidemiology Officer: Housing
- Microbiology Laboratory Assistant
Qualifications and Affiliations:
- University of the Witwatersrand: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Public Health
- London School of Hygiene & tropical Medicine: Master of Science (MS), Environmental Epidemiology & Policy
- University of Cape Town: Bachelor of Science (BS), Microbiology & Biochemistry
- Somerset Hospital: diploma, Midwifery
- Groove Schuur Hospital: Diploma, Nursing
Althea Seoposengwe
Operations Director of Uranus Investment Holdings (Pty) Ltd
Current Positions Held
- Operations Director Uranus Consultancy (PTY) Ltd
Former Positions Held
- Manager ABSA Bank – Financial Crime Assurance and Risk Management (Retail and Business Bank)
Qualifications and Affiliations:
- Post Graduate Diploma in Compliance Management (University of Johannesburg)
- Bachelor of Physical Education (University of the Witwatersrand)
- Compliance Institute Southern Africa
OUR PARTNERS
ICAP (SA)
ICAP (SA) is a subsidiary of ICAP, a London listed company. It is the world’s leading interdealer broker and infrastructure provider to wholesale financial markets. ICAP plays a pivotal role in connecting buyers and sellers together in wholesale financial markets globally.
ICAP Training Solutions ( Pty ) Ltd ( ITS )
ITS provides relevant, quality educational courses for the financial sector across Africa. Their proven, solution-orientated training programmes are designed to contribute to the growth and development of strong, sustainable markets throughout the continent.
Cornerstone Performance Solutions (Pty) Ltd
Cornerstone is a training company which focuses primarily on the banking sector. It aims to produce the people and behaviour that drive banking results. Founded in 2000, by Derek Shirley and Karen Shirley, the company specialises in a number of methods to achieve its objectives, including short courses, e- learning, extended learning programmes, qualifications and learnerships. The company also provides consulting services in banking learning and development.
NewGen Academy
It is our Mission to offer to our learners, a safe and secure teaching and learning environment free from harassment, bullying, drug and substance abuse. Discipline and mutual respect shall be the hallmark of our School. We will be an innovative school moving with the times of technology, making it a part of our teaching, and learning methodology.
ABASA Investment Company
The Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants of Southern Africa (ABASA) has launched an investment company – ABASA Investments (Pty) Ltd. The purpose of the company is to generate sustainable funding for ABASA’s programmes and to create wealth for its members.
Hours
Monday – Friday: 9:00AM-5:00PM
T: +27 11 804 0850
F: +2711 804 0855
info@uranus.co.za
Address
5 Woodlands Drive
Office Park Block 2,
1st Floor, Woodmead,
Johannesburg, 2191