As they say, the only constant is change, and it’s been a year of significant transition for WDB Investment Holdings. 2025 has been about creating stability, recapacitating the business, and positioning the organisation for an ambitious growth trajectory with a Pan-African focus.

A new Board has been appointed, and it feels like a whole new chapter has begun, on the back of a pause period.

Our comprehensive review going all the way back to 2016 has been illuminating and aptly timed and we are in a privileged position of being able to take lessons from the past to build on the future.

We continue to be a lean team, adept at making the most of our individual strengths while co-existing as a strong unit. Ubuntu is our strength and having started in February as a Non-Executive Director and now taking on the role of interim CEO, I am so honoured to work with such a committed, talented group of women who lead with empathy, and together are a force of nature!

 

 Ubuntu is our strength

From an investment portfolio perspective, the business has remained remarkably resilient. Despite a challenging economic climate and political uncertainty across the globe, we’ve seen growth – a testament to the quality of assets acquired by our predecessors.

We’re also immensely pleased with the progress in strengthening the relationship between WDB Investment Holdings and the WDB Trust. Our first joint strategy session in October reinforced our commitment to work much more closely together, which critical to achieving our joint vision of women empowering women.

We are immensely proud of our partner programmes, including Primestars and the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, as we continue to invest in our future leaders. The Primestars “What About the Boys” preventative GBV Programme is truly groundbreaking and continues to tackle this critical issue head-on.

As we approach our 35th anniversary, I’m energised by the possibilities ahead. What started with R21,000 from WDB’s first donor in 1991 has grown into a R7 billion strong consolidated balance sheet, and we give special thanks to everyone who has played a role in achieving this success, no matter how big or small.

Of course, we can’t look back on this milestone without acknowledging our founder, Mrs Zanele Mbeki, and The WDB Trust founders for their incredible vision and for making a real difference in the lives of over 215,000 families since inception.

As we look forward to the 30 year anniversary next year, it’s an exciting time to be part of a team tasked with taking this business to even greater heights, with a Pan-African vision.

The company ethos remains resilient and strong; we are very intentional about targeting poverty and empowering women entrepreneurship initiatives. South Africa is a beautiful country, and Africa is a beautiful continent with huge potential. If we all put shoulder to wheel in a cohesive way, I believe the future can be brighter than it is today.

 

If we all put shoulder to wheel in a cohesive way, I believe the future can be brighter than it is today.

 

To the WDBIH team, thank you for your resilience and hard work. Let’s return refreshed and ready to do the amazing initiatives I have no doubt we will accomplish. To our stakeholders, our supporters and those who have been with us every step of the way, keep on believing and let’s write this new chapter together.

 

With gratitude,

Lesego Sennelo
Interim CEO, WDB Investment Holdings