MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Growing up on a family farm in the Karoo offered Roelof Lategan the opportunity to roam freely in the veld and enjoy a fulfilling life close to nature – moulding him perfectly for his role as a financial entrepreneur, CEO and sole shareholder of Aquarius Capital.
“I’m simply not a corporate animal,” he says in no uncertain terms.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Photography
Growing up on a family farm in the Karoo offered Roelof Lategan the opportunity to roam freely in the veld and enjoy a fulfilling life close to nature – moulding him perfectly for his role as a financial entrepreneur, CEO and sole shareholder of Aquarius Capital.
“I’m simply not a corporate animal,” he says in no uncertain terms.
Nothing makes him happier than being able to assist a wide range of clients to obtain the corporate financing and funding advice they need to succeed, which translates into a positive contribution to the welfare of South Africa. “To make a difference in this country, to create and help retain jobs, has always – and will continue to be – our vision,” he emphasises.
Lategan’s philanthropic inclination goes beyond just helping clients – he also assists with school fees and funding for a number of the children living on his farm.
After completing his studies at the University of Pretoria and shortly after finishing his articles at a local auditing firm, he decided to go solo and established Aquarius Capital… and he has never looked back.
With more than 20 years’ experience in the highly specialised field of corporate financing and a long list of successful transactions over many industries under his belt, Aquarius Capital focuses on transactions of between R30 million and R1 billion. “I also prefer that development – job creation or expansion – forms part of the transaction,” he says. “This way there is a higher probability of sustainable success and contribution to society as a whole.”
Personal and professional services remain his compass. “I personally handle every communication line as well as the transaction with a client. For every meeting with a client, I avail myself within a day or two, anywhere in the country. You simply cannot leave a client who has a funding need of R500 million in the hands of an inexperienced clerk.
“I have concluded many transactions and have vast experience in this field. To transfer this to a junior staff member takes time and cannot happen overnight. Therefore I ensure that I personally communicate and work with a client. In addition, great care is taken to keep all information strictly confidential.
“We ‘play’ hard, but we play according to the rules; we are ethical. I believe we are making a difference. We do what we undertake to do – and stick to our agreements. The fact that Aquarius Capital has been in existence for 16 years is proof of a successful business plan. Our varied and sought-after client list and long list of transactions are personal highlights.”
Sure, it has not always been plain sailing, Lategan admits. “But hitches and stumbling blocks taught me that no matter how much you wish to help all the companies and clients smoothly along the way, new industries and companies are always difficult to establish.”
Yet despite the weak economy and restrictive government policies, he is here to stay, committed to continue doing his bit to make South Africa a better place for all.
Aquarius Capital specialises in the following services:
- Business planning, specifically in writing and compiling business plans and investment packs. Business plans comply with the strict criteria of both local and global investors, including the major South African commercial banks. Because the business plans are well matched to the criteria of banks and investors, they serve as a valuable model to help clients’ businesses on their road to success.
- Corporate finance and structures
- International tax beneficial structures
- Facilitation and arrangement of business finance
- Structured term loans
- Capital equipment finance
- Due diligence and feasibility studies
- Business valuations
- Restructurings
- Expansions and acquisitions
Clients include:
Agriculture and agro-processing
- Graaff Fruit (Pty) Ltd: “The well-know family from the Western Cape. We handle their capital raising requirements.”
- Hendri Pieterse Boerdery (Pty) Ltd: “A large farming enterprise in the Groblersdal area and also a founding member of Top8 grape exporters.”
- SIS Farming Group: “One of the biggest feedlots in the country.”
- VS Agri (Pty) Ltd: “A private company with the biggest farmers in the Eastern Free State as shareholders.”
- SIS Apples (Pty) Ltd: “A sizable apple farm in the Hendrina district in Mpumalanga.”
- Rockdale Industrial (Pty) Ltd: “A large feedlot in the Middelburg district and formerly known as Kanhym Estates.”
- Havildar (Pty) Ltd: “One of the largest farming groups in South Africa which is Black women owned.”
- Mahela Farming Group: “The second largest citrus exporter in South Africa.”
- Somerhoek Boerdery: “A respected farming operation in Limpopo.”
- Northern Cape Raisins (Pty) Ltd: “One of the top seven raisin export companies in the Northern Cape.”
- Schoonbee Landgoed (Pty) Ltd: “One of the largest exporters of high-quality grapes and citrus in South Africa.”
Mining and resources
- Trans Hex Limited: “We handle all their capital expansion requirements.”
- West Coast Resources (Pty) Ltd: “A newcomer to the South African alluvial diamond mining industry and a subsidiary of Trans Hex Limited.”
Heavy manufacturing, steel and construction industries
- Top Fix Holdings (Pty) Ltd: “One of the best-known brands in the construction, steel manufacturing and scaffolding industry.”
- Automa (Pty) Ltd: “One of the largest polystyrene manufacturers in South Africa.”
- Electro Systems (Pty) Ltd: “This reputable company has over 25 years’ experience in the process control industry.”
- Triton-Leo Group (Q20): “The largest water-displacement product and lubricator supplier in South Africa.”
- Capital Star Steel (Pty) Ltd: “The largest pipe manufacturing facility on the African continent.”
- Rayal Industrial (Pty) Ltd: “The largest manufacturer of floor tiles on the African continent.”
Pharmaceutical and health industry
- CoMED Health (Natura): “The largest homeopathic manufacturer and retailer in South Africa.”
- Benchmark Group: “One of the most innovative developers of day hospitals for the medical industry.”
Franchising
- Talisman: “A franchise with one of the biggest footprints in Southern Africa.”