Countrywide Assured plc appoints Ninety One for £1.1 billion mandate
Appointment accesses Ninety One’s multi-asset, equity and fixed income capabilities
26 Mar 2026
3 minutes
Jeff Wicks and Pieter-Louis Myburgh are the joint winners of the inaugural Ninety One For Tomorrow Award, sharing the R1 million prize in recognition of their exceptional contributions to investigative journalism in South Africa.
Wicks, a member of News24’s investigations team, is renowned for reporting on the criminal underworld, organised crime, and targeted killings. Daily Maverick’s Myburgh is celebrated for his exposés on corruption and state capture. Wicks is best known for his Shadow State investigation into the Tembisa Hospital scandal and the murder of Babita Deokaran, and the 9 Lives investigation into Vusimusi "Cat" Matlala. Myburgh rose to prominence for his Gangster State investigation into allegations of state capture involving Ace Magashule, as well as the Independent Development Trust Bribery Sting, during which its CEO attempted to bribe him with R60 000 in cash concealed in a Dior bag.
“Jeff and Pieter-Louis are among the most impactful and recognisable voices in South African journalism,” said Ninety One Founder and CEO, Hendrik du Toit. “Their unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth and holding power to account exemplifies the purpose of this award: to invest for a better tomorrow for South Africa.”
The Ninety One For Tomorrow Award, launched to mark Ninety One’s 35th anniversary, has been created to support investigative journalism that illuminates malfeasance, corruption, dishonesty, or criminality involving individuals or groups in government, parastatals, or private enterprise which, if left undetected, would have damaged the integrity of South Africa’s democracy.
Du Toit added that the R1 million incentive is awarded to ensure the winner has the means necessary to devote the time and effort required for the ongoing pursuit of quality investigative journalism.
“South Africa is a place of profound challenges as well as enormous opportunities. We are reminded daily that democracy is a fragile thing, easy to assail and difficult to defend. But we know that the work to sustain freedom in all things – social, political, and economic – is always worth the effort. Among those who toil the hardest to protect our democratic freedoms - and often for little reward - are journalists. We resolved to create an annual prize for the very best of investigative journalism in South Africa – and the Ninety One For Tomorrow Award was born. The Award is our way of giving back to our country of origin by supporting South Africa’s democratic society,” du Toit said.
Future winners will be adjudicated by an independent panel, chaired by Judge Dennis Davis, with panellists including financial crime investigator and former journalist, Pauli van Wyk; Director of the Bureau for Economic Research, Professor Johann Kirsten; foreign editor of the Financial Times, Alec Russell; and renowned broadcast journalist and author, Redi Tlhabi.
Details regarding the submission process will be communicated in due course.
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Darpan Harar and Justin Jewell, Co-Heads of Multi Asset Credit, explain that while risks that built up post the Global Financial Crisis are beginning to surface in US private markets, credit quality has improved in the mainstream high-yield market. With recent market moves masking a divergent picture of risk exposure across mainstream credit markets, investors can capitalise on the sell-off and position themselves defensively.
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Appointment accesses Ninety One’s multi-asset, equity and fixed income capabilities
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