South African billionaire Koos Bekker, chair of Prosus and Naspers, has offered shares price practically R2.5 billion ($150.3 million) over three buying and selling days. The transactions, performed by his household belief between Dec. 17 and 19, are aimed toward funding hospitality tasks in South Africa, the U.Okay., and Italy, the businesses mentioned.
Bekker and his spouse, Karen Roos, personal a number of high-profile estates, together with Babylonstoren Wine Property close to Paarl, The Newt in Somerset, and Vignamaggio close to Florence. Additionally they opened Blou in February 2024, a small beachside retreat close to Plettenberg Bay, completely for friends of Babylonstoren or The Newt.
Naspers, Prosus verify Bekker stake steady
Naspers reported Bekker offered slightly below 800,000 shares, totaling R860.5 million ($51.7 million). A regulatory submitting confirmed 1.55 million Prosus shares have been additionally offered at common costs between €51.24 ($60.37) and €53.68 ($63.23). Bekker had not offered shares in both firm between 2015 and 2023.
Earlier gross sales after his 2014 retirement as Naspers CEO included choices he exercised over 5 years, which diminished his Naspers holding by 70 %. His most up-to-date gross sales earlier than this week were in March 2023, for R3.4 billion ($204 million), and in December 2024, for R2.97 billion ($178 million). Each Naspers and Prosus confused that Bekker’s household belief nonetheless retains 90 % of its earlier holdings.
Bekker transforms media into international empire
Bekker, identified for turning Naspers from a newspaper writer into a worldwide e-commerce and media group, additionally helped launch MTN Group and the M-Web/MultiChoice pay-TV community.
Prosus, spun off from Naspers in 2019, has turn out to be a significant tech investor, spanning fintech, e-commerce, media, and schooling. Below his management, Naspers’ first-half 2026 profit rose 23.7 % to $5.58 billion, up from $4.51 billion a 12 months earlier.
Bekker revitalizes Babylonstoren Wine Property
Bekker acquired Babylonstoren in 2007, with Roos overseeing renovations that reworked it into a number one wine property with bespoke luxurious choices. The Newt, opened in 2019, mirrors Babylonstoren’s design and hosts the Chelsea Flower Present.
Vignamaggio stays a working farm with a wine cellar working since 1404. Different European properties embody Over-Amstel Boerderij within the Netherlands and The Story of Emily in Cornwall, a Victorian rectory restored as a museum and restaurant celebrating South African heritage.
