<\/p>\n
Former Naspers CEO Koos Bekker, who now serves as chair of Prosus and Naspers, has trimmed his stake in both companies over three trading days, in transactions totalling nearly R2.5 billion.<\/p>\n
The shares were sold by his family trust between 17 and 19 December to \u201cfund building operations at hospitality venues located in South Africa, the UK and Italy, in which the family trust has an interest\u201d, the companies said.<\/p>\n
Read: Koos Bekker: From farmer\u2019s son to global digital success [Feb 2016]<\/p>\n
Among other estates and properties, Bekker and his wife Karen Roos own the renowned Babylonstoren Wine Estate near Paarl, The Newt in Somerset in the UK, and Vignamaggio near Florence in Italy.<\/p>\n
They opened a smaller destination called Blou in Keurbooms outside Plettenberg Bay in February 2024. This collection of eight restored cottages on the beach is restricted to guests who have stayed at either Babylonstoren or The Newt.<\/p>\n
Read:
Naspers exec sells R240m in stock
Prosus plans to raise R35.4bn from selling off stakes
Inside Prosus CEO\u2019s $100m (R1.7bn) \u2018moonshot\u2019 incentive<\/p>\n
Naspers said on Tuesday that Bekker sold a total of just under 800 000 Naspers shares in transactions valued at R860.5 million. In addition, a regulatory filing on Monday said that Bekker sold 1.55 million Prosus shares in a number of transactions, with average selling prices of between \u20ac51.24 and \u20ac53.68.<\/p>\n
\nIn total, these sales netted R1.6 billion.<\/p>\n
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Bekker did not sell any Naspers or Prosus shares between 2015 and 2023.<\/p>\n
After he retired as CEO in 2014, he sold a number of shares acquired through options that had vested over five years. He exercised the options and sold the shares and was taxed at the full marginal rate. These sales saw him reduce his shareholding in Naspers by 70%.<\/p>\n
The value of the transactions was not disclosed but the range is estimated at between R11.5 billion and R21.8 billion (excluding tax that was payable).<\/p>\n
His first sale subsequent to this came in March 2023, when he disposed of R3.4 billion in shares for the same purpose as disclosed this week. This was followed in December 2024 by another sale worth R2.97 billion.<\/p>\n
The announcements from Prosus and Naspers both stress that Bekker, through the trust, \u201ccontinues to retain 90% of its holding\u201d in each company\u2019s shares \u201cthat it had prior to the disposal\u201d.<\/p>\n
Prior to these sales, Bekker held 1.687 million ordinary N shares in Naspers and 15.747 million ordinary N shares in Prosus (as at 31 March 2025). There were no sales between then and last week.<\/p>\n
\nAt current prices, his holdings are worth a total of R18bn.<\/p>\n
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Bekker purchased Babylonstoren in 2007, and it was extensively renovated by Roos. It has become one of the more prominent wine estates in the Cape and has built out a sizeable bespoke luxury retail offering.<\/p>\n
The Newt opened in 2019, with gardens and an estate renovated in the same style as Babylonstoren. It hosts the annual Chelsea Flower Show.<\/p>\n
\nLike the other two estates, Vignamaggio remains a working farm. Its wine cellar has been in operation since 1404.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
There are two smaller \u2018sister\u2019 properties in Europe: Over-Amstel Boerderij near Amsterdam in the Netherlands, and The Story of Emily in Cornwall.<\/p>\n
The latter is the restored Victorian rectory of humanitarian campaigner Emily Hobhouse. She is well-known for exposing the horrific conditions in British concentration camps for Boer women and children during the Second Anglo-Boer War, leading to public outcry and reforms.<\/p>\n
Bekker and Roos have restored the rectory as a museum and an on-site restaurant serves a menu featuring South African heritage recipes from the late 19th Century.<\/p>\n
Read:
Koos Bekker\u2019s next big idea? [Mar 2023]
Prosus chair\u2019s trust sells R2.97bn shares for hotel growth [Dec 2024]<\/p>\nFollow Moneyweb\u2019s in-depth finance and business news on WhatsApp here.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n