President Cyril Ramaphosa officially opened the new Ninety One South Africa Headquarters in Cape Town on 25 March 2026, unveiling a commemorative plaque in a ceremony that celebrated not only a state-of-the-art corporate development but also the asset manager’s 35-year journey and its symbolic return to the city where it first began. The event, held in the heart of the Cape Town central business district, was attended by senior government officials, business leaders, and executives from Ninety One, one of South Africa’s largest independent investment management firms.
The new headquarters, located on a prime site overlooking the city’s bustling foreshore, represents a significant investment in the country’s financial services sector and a vote of confidence in the Western Cape as a hub for global investment. Standing as a glass-and-steel landmark, the building has been designed to meet the highest environmental and sustainability standards, reflecting Ninety One’s commitment to responsible investing and the green economy.
President Ramaphosa, accompanied by Western Cape Premier Alan Winde and Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, took a tour of the facility before the official unveiling, pausing to engage with staff and view the building’s cutting-edge design. In his keynote address, the president lauded the company’s decision to deepen its roots in South Africa at a time when the country is actively courting both domestic and foreign investment.
“Today is not merely the opening of a building,” Ramaphosa said, standing before the assembled dignitaries. “It is the opening of a new chapter. It is a statement of confidence—confidence in the resilience of our economy, confidence in the potential of our people, and confidence in the future we are building together. Ninety One has chosen to invest in South Africa, and we thank them for that. We thank them for their 35 years of commitment, and we welcome them back to the city where their story began.”
A Journey of 35 Years: From Genesis to Ninety One
The origins of Ninety One trace back to 1991, when the firm was founded in Cape Town as Genesis Asset Management. Over the following decades, it grew into one of South Africa’s premier investment houses, eventually becoming part of the global asset management giant Investec Asset Management. In 2020, the firm underwent a landmark demerger from Investec Group, listing independently on the London Stock Exchange and rebranding as Ninety One—a name inspired by the longitude of the company’s original Cape Town office.
The move to establish a dedicated South African headquarters in Cape Town represents a homecoming of sorts. The company has long maintained a significant presence in the city, but the new building consolidates its operations into a single, purpose-built facility designed to accommodate its growing workforce and to serve as a hub for its sub-Saharan African operations.
Ninety One CEO Hendrik du Toit, who was present at the unveiling, reflected on the company’s journey and the significance of the moment. “Thirty-five years ago, we started with a small team in Cape Town, driven by an idea that we could build something enduring,” du Toit said. “Today, we are a global investment manager with a presence on four continents, but we have never forgotten where we came from. This building is a testament to our belief in South Africa, to our commitment to our clients here, and to the extraordinary talent that this country produces.”
Du Toit also emphasized the company’s focus on sustainability, noting that the new headquarters had achieved a 5-star Green Star rating from the Green Building Council South Africa. “We manage capital on behalf of pension funds, institutions, and individuals,” he said. “We believe that responsible investing means not only delivering returns but also contributing to the societies in which we operate. This building is a physical manifestation of that philosophy.”
Ramaphosa’s Vision: A Call for More Investment
President Ramaphosa used the occasion to reiterate his administration’s focus on economic reform and investment attraction. He pointed to recent progress in addressing energy security, logistics bottlenecks, and crime—key areas that have historically deterred investment—and called on the private sector to partner with government in driving growth.
“We are not resting,” the president said. “We are working every day to improve the ease of doing business, to stabilize our energy supply, to modernize our ports and rail networks, and to create an environment where businesses can thrive. The opening of this headquarters is proof that when government and business work together, we can achieve great things.”
He also acknowledged the role of the Western Cape government and the City of Cape Town in facilitating the development, noting that collaborative governance across different levels of government was essential for unlocking investment. “This project is a model of what is possible when we align our efforts,” he said. “The national government, the provincial government, and the municipality all played a role in making this happen. That is the kind of cooperation we need to see more of across the country.”
Premier Alan Winde, who has made economic growth and job creation the centerpiece of his administration’s agenda, welcomed the investment and praised Ninety One for its long-standing commitment to the province. “The Western Cape is open for business,” Winde said. “We have worked hard to create an enabling environment for investment, and we are seeing the results. Ninety One’s decision to build its headquarters here is a testament to the confidence that investors have in our province. This building will create jobs, support local suppliers, and contribute to the economic vitality of our city.”
Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis echoed those sentiments, highlighting the role of the City in streamlining approvals and supporting the development. “We want Cape Town to be the best place in South Africa to do business,” he said. “Projects like this show that we are serious about that goal. We are cutting red tape, investing in infrastructure, and creating a city that works for everyone.”
Economic Context: Investment Confidence Amid Challenges
The unveiling of the Ninety One headquarters comes at a critical juncture for the South African economy. While the country has faced significant headwinds in recent years—including persistent load-shedding, logistical constraints at ports and rail, and high unemployment—there have been signs of cautious optimism. The energy situation has stabilized following the implementation of the Energy Action Plan, and the government has made progress in reforming the logistics sector, with the National Logistics Crisis Committee driving improvements at Transnet.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) into South Africa has shown resilience, with several major multinational corporations announcing expansions or new projects in recent months. The financial services sector, in particular, has remained a bright spot, buoyed by South Africa’s sophisticated regulatory environment and its status as the continent’s most developed capital market.
However, challenges remain. The cost of living crisis, high interest rates, and sluggish growth continue to weigh on consumer and business confidence. The government’s ongoing battles with corruption and governance failures in key state-owned enterprises have also undermined investor sentiment.
Against this backdrop, the Ninety One investment is seen as a positive signal. The company’s decision to consolidate its South African operations in a new, custom-built headquarters—rather than scaling back or relocating—suggests a long-term commitment to the local market.
“This is exactly the kind of investment we need,” said Busisiwe Mavuso, CEO of Business Leadership South Africa, who attended the event. “It shows that there are still companies that believe in South Africa’s potential, that are willing to put their capital where their confidence is. But we need more of this. We need a steady pipeline of investments that create jobs and drive growth. That requires continued reform and a stable policy environment.”
A Building for the Future
The new Ninety One headquarters is more than just an office block. It has been designed to accommodate flexible working arrangements, with open-plan spaces, collaboration zones, and advanced digital infrastructure. The building also features extensive green spaces, including a rooftop garden, and incorporates energy-efficient systems that reduce its carbon footprint.
Sustainability was a key consideration throughout the development process. The building uses solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and energy-efficient lighting and cooling systems. It is also located in a transit-oriented development area, encouraging the use of public transport and reducing the carbon impact of commuting.
“We wanted to create a space that reflects our values,” said Khanyisa Phama, Ninety One’s Head of South Africa. “We manage money on behalf of clients who care about the future—about the environment, about society, about governance. This building is a statement that we take those responsibilities seriously. It is a space where our people can do their best work, in an environment that is healthy, sustainable, and inspiring.”
The Political Dimension: Cooperation Across the Aisle
The event also offered a rare moment of visible cooperation between political leaders from different parties. President Ramaphosa, who leads the African National Congress (ANC) at the national level, appeared alongside Premier Winde and Mayor Hill-Lewis, both of the Democratic Alliance (DA). The three leaders exchanged warm greetings and praised one another’s contributions to the project, a departure from the often fractious political discourse that characterizes South African politics.
In his address, Ramaphosa acknowledged the importance of such collaboration. “When we put aside our political differences and focus on what matters—on jobs, on growth, on the future of our people—we achieve remarkable things,” he said. “This building is a symbol of what we can accomplish when we work together.”
Winde echoed the sentiment, noting that economic development should transcend partisan politics. “The people of this province, of this country, don’t care about party politics when they are looking for a job or trying to feed their families,” he said. “They care about results. Today, we are delivering results.”
Looking Ahead
As the commemorative plaque was unveiled to applause, it marked the official opening of a building that will house hundreds of employees and serve as a hub for Ninety One’s operations across sub-Saharan Africa. The company has indicated that it intends to grow its presence in the region, leveraging its South African base to expand into markets such as Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana.
For President Ramaphosa, the event was an opportunity to showcase a tangible example of investment and to project a message of confidence ahead of the 2027 national elections. With the economy remaining the single most important issue for voters, the president is keen to demonstrate that his administration’s economic reforms are bearing fruit.
“The opening of this headquarters is a milestone,” Ramaphosa said in his closing remarks. “But it is not the final destination. It is a step along the journey—a journey toward a South Africa that is inclusive, that is growing, that is creating opportunities for all. We are on that journey together. And with partners like Ninety One by our side, I am confident that we will reach our destination.”
As the dignitaries departed and the building’s staff returned to their desks, the new headquarters stood as a gleaming addition to the Cape Town skyline—a testament to 35 years of history, a symbol of confidence in the present, and a foundation for the future.
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