top of page

2023 DealMakers Annual Awards

Date: Tuesday 13 February 2024

Venue: Ballroom, Sandton Convention Centre

Ansarada Logo Inline Black RGB.png

Headline Sponsor

DM-GALA-SM POST 2b-(for social).jpg
Brunswick_Logo-ALL_ 2017 RGB-Formal-Blue.jpg

Deal of the Year

Exxaro Logo.jpg

BEE Deal of the Year

A2X Logo's RGB FC_edited.jpg

Top Sponsors by Deal Value and Deal Flow

wtw logo.png

Top Legal Advisers by Deal Value and Deal Flow

ince.jpg

Individual DealMaker of the Year

Sandton Convention Centre Logo white.png

Venue Sponsor

Cederberg-logo.png

Wine Sponsor

MC: Alan Committie

Entertainment: The Muses

Watch the video.jpg

The 2023 DealMakers Annual Awards 

Brunswick Deal of the Year 2023

brunswick-group-llp-logo-vector.png
Medal Banner 2.jpg

Disposal by Life Healthcare of Alliance Medical Group to iCON Infrastructure

After receiving several unsolicited proposals from third parties to acquire its European diagnostic and molecular imaging business, Life Healthcare announced its disposal of AMG just seven years after its acquisition from funds managed by M&G Investments and Talbot Hughes McKillop. The deal, valued at c.R21bn (including debt) will unlock significant value for shareholders with the company set to return c.R8,4bn to shareholders by way of a special dividend.

DoY 2023 Life Healthcare.jpg

Local Advisers to the deal were:

Brunswick DoY Advisers 2023 website v.jpg

Catalyst Private Equity Deal of the Year 2023

catalyst Logo.jpg

Exit by Carlyle Group of Tessara to AgroFresh 

Medal Banner 2.jpg

In 2018, Carlyle’s sub-Saharan Africa Fund acquired a majority stake in Cape-based Tessara. In 2023 the private equity firm exited its investment through a competitive auction process. AgroFresh is an AgTech innovator and global leader in post-harvest produce freshness and packaging solutions; Tessara specialises in SO2 generating sheets to prevent fungal decay and are sold in over 22 countries on five continents. During its tenure, Carlyle focused on strengthening Tessara’s R&D, new product innovation and on expanding the capacity of its manufacturing facilities.

PE DoY 2023 Carlyle Tessara.jpg
PE DoY 2023 Carlyle Tessara Advisers.jpg

Local Advisers to the deal were:

PE DoY Advisers 2023_edited.jpg

Exxaro BEE Deal of the Year 2023

Absa’s eKhaya B-BBEE transaction 

Exxaro Logo.jpg
Medal Banner 2.jpg

In March 2023, Absa announced the implementation of an R11,2bn Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment deal allocating a 7% shareholding to staff and community beneficiaries. The deal is structured with a 4% evergreen Corporate Social Investment component (CSI Trust) and a 3% vesting staff element (ESOP). Staff employed by Absa’s subsidiaries outside of South Africa will participate equally in a cash-equivalent staff scheme, equivalent to about 1% of the Absa Group’s market capitalisation. The transaction will directly impact c.35,000 people employed by Absa and benefit a broader constituency across South Africa through the CSI Trust. 

BEE DoY 2023 Absa.jpg
BEE DoY 2023 Absa Advisers.jpg

Local Advisers to the deal were:

BEE DoY Advisers 2023.jpg

Business Rescue Transaction of the Year 2023

Medal Banner 2.jpg

Cast Products South Africa

Cast Products South Africa (CPSA), the largest foundry group in South Africa and 85% owned by the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (IDC), was placed in voluntary business rescue by its board in December 2021. In the four years until it was placed in business rescue, the company lost c.R1,7m, excluding the losses that accumulated after the IDC acquired Scaw Metals from Anglo American in 2010 as a result of pressure from escalating input costs, particularly electricity and scrap metal. The restructuring and restoration of solvency has been finalised, and the BRP’s are presently in the process of restructuring the Board and appointing a strategic management team to take the business forward. R1bn of liability has been restructured, the manufacturing capacity for South Africa has been retained, and corresponding jobs preserved under circumstances where the manufacturing industry is facing challenging economic times. 

Local Advisers to the deal were:

Ince Individual DealMaker of the Year 2023

ince logo.jpg
Medal Banner 2.jpg

Ferdi Vorster (Rand Merchant Bank)


A member of the Rand Merchant Bank team, Ferdi advised Vivo Energy and Vitol on the acquisition of Engen from Petronas. He led the acquisition by Pick n Pay of Tomis and was involved as part of the RMB deal team that advised Life Healthcare on the sale of Alliance Medical, the buyout and delisting of Liberty Two Degrees, and RCL Foods’ sale of Vector Logistics to A.P. Møller Capital. Ferdi also worked on the sale of a 68.3% stake in Tanzanian-listed Tanga Cement by AfriSam to German multinational, Heidelberg Cement, first announced in 2021 – a deal that has taken numerous twists and turns over a few years, in terms of regulatory approvals. 

Ferdi Vorster 04.jpg

Special Recognition Award 2023

Every now and then DealMakers will announce a SPECIAL RECOGNITION award for a deal or a company that it feels warrants recognition for any multitude of reasons. In 2023 there was one such deal.

The Independent Panel singled out this transaction for its importance for our wildlife. While not qualifying for Deal of the Year,
they believed that its impact, in terms of protecting the white rhino species, is commendable and worthy of special recognition.

In early 2023, African Parks announced that it would acquire the captive rhino breeding operation known as the Platinum Rhino
Conservation Enterprise (previously Buffalo Dream Ranch) from John Hume, a South African conservationist, and would relocate
and rewild over 2,000 captive-bred Southern white rhinos.

The team at African Parks, headed by CEO and co-founder, Peter Fearnhead, were away doing what they do best - saving our wildlife - so were unable to attend the event. Their legal representatives on the deal, CMS-RM Partners, accepted the award on their behalf.

Mergers & Acquisitions 2023

Investment Advisers by Deal Value

DealMakers Red.JPG

Platinum Medal Award for 1st place

Medal Banner 2.jpg

1st by Deal Value - Rand Merchant Bank

2nd by Deal Value - Standard Bank

MA IA DV 2nd Standard Bank.jpg
STD Bank 01 web.jpg

3rd by Deal Value - Goldman Sachs

MA IA DV 3rd Goldman Sachs.jpg
Goldman Sachs 02.jpg

4th by Deal Value - Investec Bank

MA IA DV 4th Investec.jpg
Investec 01 web.jpg
DealMakers Red.JPG

Investment Advisers by Deal Flow

Platinum Medal Award for 1st place

Medal Banner 2.jpg

1st by Deal Flow - Java Capital

MA ID DF 1st Java Capital.jpg
Java Capital 02.jpg

2nd by Deal Flow - tie Standard Bank | Nedbank CIB

MA IA DF 2nd tie Std Bank Nedbank.jpg
STD Bank 01 web.jpg
Nedbank 04 web.jpg

4th by Deal Flow - tie Rand Merchant Bank | Investec Bank

MA IA DF 4th tie RMB Investec.jpg
RMB 01.jpg
Investec 01.jpg

Sponsors by Deal Value

1st by Deal Value - Absa CIB

A2X Logo's RGB FC_edited.jpg

Top Sponsors by Deal Value and Deal Flow

MA SP DV 1st Absa.jpg
ABSA Sponsors 01.jpg

2nd by Deal Value - PSG Capital

MA SP DV 2nd PSG Capital.jpg
PSG Capital_edited_edited.jpg

3rd by Deal Value - Investec Bank

MA Sp DV 3rd Investec.jpg
Investec Sponsors 02.jpg

4th by Deal Value - J.P. Morgan

MA Sp DV 4th JPMorgan.jpg
JPMorgan 02.jpg

Sponsors by Deal Flow

1st by Deal Flow - Nedbank CIB

A2X Logo's RGB FC_edited.jpg

Top Sponsors by Deal Value and Deal Flow

MA SP DF 1st Nedbank.jpg
NedBank Sponsors 02 web.jpg

2nd by Deal Flow- Java Capital

MA Sp DF 2nd Java.jpg
Java Capital 02.jpg

3rd by Deal Flow - Investec Bank

MA SP DF 3rd Investec.jpg
Investec Sponsors 02.jpg

4th by Deal Flow - PSG Capital

MA SP DF 4th PSG Capital.jpg
PSG Capital_edited_edited.jpg

Legal Advisers by Deal Value

1st by Deal Value - Bowmans

wtw logo.png

Top Legal Advisers by Deal Value and Deal Flow

MA LA DV 1st Bowmans.jpg
Bowmans 02 web.jpg

2nd by Deal Value - Webber Wentzel

MA LA DV 2nd Webber Wentzel.jpg
Webber Wentzel 01 web.jpg

3rd by Deal Value - ENS

MA LA DV 3rd ENS.jpg
ENSafrica 01 web.jpg

4th by Deal Value - Werksmans

MA LA DV 4th Werksmans.jpg
Werksmans 02 web.jpg

Legal Advisers by Deal Flow

1st by Deal Flow - Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr

wtw logo.png

Top Legal Advisers by Deal Value and Deal Flow

MA LA DF 1st CDH.jpg
CDH 02 web.jpg

2nd by Deal Flow - ENS

MA LA DF 2nd ENS.jpg
ENSafrica 01 web.jpg

3rd by Deal Flow - Webber Wentzel

MA LA DF 3rd Webber Wentzel.jpg
Webber Wentzel 01 web.jpg

4th by Deal Flow - White & Case 

MA LA DF 4th W&C.jpg
White & Case 01.jpg

Transactional Support Services by Deal Value

1st by Deal Value - Deloitte

MA TSS DV 1st Deloitte.jpg
Deloitte 01.jpg

2nd by Deal Value - BDO

MA TSS DV 2nd BDO.jpg
BDO 01.jpg

3rd by Deal Value - PwC

MA TSS DV 3rd PwC.jpg
PWC 02 web.jpg

4th by Deal Value - EY

MA TSS DV 4th EY.jpg
EY 01.jpg

Transactional Support Services by Deal Flow

1st by Deal Flow - Deloitte

MA TSS DF 1st Deloitte.jpg
Deloitte 01.jpg

2nd by Deal Flow - tie BDO | EY

MA TSS DF 2nd tie BDO EY.jpg
BDO 01.jpg
EY 01.jpg

4th by Deal Flow - PwC

MA TSS DF 4th Pwc.jpg
PWC 02 web.jpg

Black Economic Empowerment 2023

(Listed and Unlisted Deals)

Legal Advisers 

1st by Deal Value and Flow - ENS

BEE LA DF 1st ENS.jpg
ENSafrica 01 web.jpg

Unlisted Deals 2023

Legal Advisers 

1st by Deal Value and Flow - Webber Wentzel

UL LA DF 1st Webber Wentzel.jpg
Webber Wentzel 01 web.jpg

General Corporate Finance 2023

Investment Advisers by Transaction Value

1st by Transaction Value - Rand Merchant Bank

GCF IA TV 1st RMB.jpg
RMB 01.jpg

2nd by Transaction Value - Morgan Stanley

GCF IA TV 2nd Morgan Stanley.jpg
Morgan Stanley 01 .jpg

3rd by Transaction Value - Goldman Sachs

GCF IA TV 3rd Goldman Sachs.jpg
Goldman Sachs 02.jpg

Investment Advisers by Transaction Flow

1st by Transaction Flow - tie PSG Capital | Investec Bank

GCF IA TF 1st tie Investec PSG Capital.jpg
PSG Capital_edited_edited.jpg
Investec 01 web.jpg

3rd by Transaction Flow - tie Morgan Stanley | Java Capital

GCF IA TF 3rd Tie Morgan Stanley Java Capital.jpg
Morgan Stanley 01 .jpg
Java Capital 02.jpg

Sponsors by Transaction Value

1st by Transaction Value - Investec Bank

GCF Sp TV 1st Investec.jpg
Investec Sponsors 02.jpg

2nd by Transaction Value - Rand Merchant Bank

GCF Sp TV 2nd RMB.jpg
RMB Sponsors 02.jpg

3rd by Transaction Value - J.P. Morgan

GCF Sp TV 3rd JPMorgan.jpg
JPMorgan 02.jpg

Sponsors by Transaction Flow

1st by Transaction Flow - PSG Capital

GCF Sp TF 1st PSG Capital.jpg
PSG Capital_edited_edited.jpg

2nd by Transaction Flow - Investec Bank

GCF Sp TF 2nd Investec.jpg
Investec Sponsors 02.jpg

3rd by Transaction Flow - Java Capital

GCF Sp TF 3rd Java Capital.jpg
Java Capital 02.jpg

Legal Advisers by Transaction Value

1st by Transaction Value - Webber Wentzel

GCF LA TV 1st Webber Wentzel.jpg
Webber Wentzel 01 web.jpg

2nd by Transaction Value - Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr

GCF LA TV 2nd CDH.jpg
CDH 02 web.jpg

3rd by Transaction Value - ENS

GCF LA TV 3rd ENS.jpg
ENSafrica 01 web.jpg

Legal Advisers by Transaction Flow

1st by Transaction Flow - Webber Wentzel

GCF LA TF 1st Webber Wentzel.jpg
Webber Wentzel 01 web.jpg

2nd by Transaction Flow - ENS

GCF LA TF 2nd ENS.jpg
ENSafrica 01 web.jpg

3rd by Transaction Flow - White & Case (SA)

GCF LA TF 3rd White & Case.jpg
White & Case 01.jpg

Transactional Support Services by Transaction Value

1st by Transaction Value - EY

GCF TSS TV 1st EY.jpg
EY 01.jpg

2nd by Transaction Value - PwC

GCF TSS TV 2nd PwC.jpg
PWC 02 web.jpg

3rd by Transaction Value - KPMG

GCF TSS TV 3rd KPMG.jpg
KPMG 02 web.jpg

Transactional Support Services by Transaction Flow

1st by Transaction Flow - PwC

GCF TSS TF 1st PwC.jpg
PWC 02 web.jpg

2nd by Transaction Flow - BDO

GCF TSS TF 2nd BDO.jpg
BDO 01.jpg

3rd by Transaction Flow - 7 firms tied

Deal Makers -  Feb  (65)
Deal Makers -  Feb  (62)
Deal Makers -  Feb  (61)
Deal Makers -  Feb  (56)
Deal Makers -  Feb  (46)
Deal Makers -  Feb  (45)
Deal Makers -  Feb  (42)
Deal Makers -  Feb  (39)
Deal Makers -  Feb  (38)
Deal Makers -  Feb  (35)
Deal Makers -  Feb  (36)
Deal Makers -  Feb  (33)
Deal Makers -  Feb  (16)
Deal Makers -  Feb  (11)
Deal Makers -  Feb  (7)
Deal Makers -  Feb  (5)
bottom of page