Forbes refers to him as the “Buddha Buffet”, while those that know him just call him “Jannie.”

Sitting at the 24th richest person in Africa, Johannes Fredericus Mouton clearly has an interest in education – and his latest donation has made headlines.

A Stellies alumnus, he donated R50 million to the institution towards the building of a modern Centre for Teaching and Learning. Construction is set to begin next year. Says Jannie,

My heart is still with my alma mater and I will always be loyal. I believe in making a positive difference in society to the benefit of our future generations and this is how I do it.

For me this donation is more than an investment in a contemporary learning space that will enrich the learning experiences of our students. This is an investment in the future and the continued excellence of Stellenbosch University as a world-class institution of higher learning.

Here’s what we know of the man:

A qualified CA, Jannie has over 35 years of experience in financial management and investment banking.

After being fired at the age of 48 by his partners from the stockbroking firm Senekal, Mouton & Kitshoff, which he cofounded, Jannie founded the PSG Group. A listed investment holding company with interests in financial services, banking, private equity, agriculture and education, Jannie serves as the chairman.

The company owns a 28% stake in Capitec Bank, one of the largest commercial banks in South Africa, as well as a controlling stake in PSG Capital, a corporate finance and advisory services company, and Curro, a chain of private schools in South Africa.

Jannie’s net worth “has nearly doubled in the past year thanks to a rise in PSG Group’s stock, which analysts attribute to the success of the company’s investments and Mouton’s popularity in South Africa,” according to Forbes.

[source: timeslive&forbes&whoswho]