Naspers is a name many South Africans know, but few know the full story behind its rise from a small Afrikaans publisher to a tech juggernaut. Here are 10 fascinating facts about this South African company that you might not know:
1. Humble Beginnings as a Pro-Afrikaner Media House
Founded in the early 20th century, Naspers was established to support Afrikaner interests. It wasn’t initially a commercial enterprise but rather a media vehicle with cultural and political motivations.
2. Die Burger: The First Newspaper
Naspers launched its first Afrikaans-language paper, Die Burger, in 1915. This paper became highly influential, marking the start of Naspers’ publishing legacy.
3. Huisgenoot: One of South Africa’s First Magazines
Following the success of Die Burger, Naspers ventured into the magazine world with De Huisgenoot (later known simply as Huisgenoot) in 1916. This marked the beginning of its significant impact on South African media.
4. The Biggest Publisher in South Africa by the 20th Century
By expanding into book publishing in both Afrikaans and English, Naspers established itself as South Africa’s largest publisher during the 20th century.
5. An Apology for Supporting Apartheid
Naspers has since acknowledged its role in supporting apartheid-era policies, expressing regret for furthering National Party ideals. This reflection has been part of its broader efforts to reconcile its past.
6. Pivot to Television with M-Net
In the 1980s, Naspers began a major shift by partnering with pay-TV service M-Net, which later evolved into MultiChoice. This transition marked its first step into the tech world.
7. A Game-Changing Investment in Tencent
In 2001, Naspers bought a 46.5% stake in Chinese tech giant Tencent for just $32 million. Today, Tencent is worth over R8 trillion, making this one of the most profitable tech investments in history.
8. South Africa’s Largest Company with a Global Footprint
Naspers currently holds a market value of around R750 billion and is the largest company in South Africa. However, much of its value comes from its global tech investments, especially through Prosus, its international investment arm.
9. The Takealot Group’s Mixed Results
Locally, Naspers owns well-known brands like Takealot, Mr D Food, and Property24. Despite challenges, it recently announced that Takealot.com and Mr D Food are profitable, with only the now-sold Superbalist impacting its balance sheet.
10. New Leadership with Eyes on AI
Under the new CEO Federico Bloisi, Naspers is looking toward artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to drive future growth. Bloisi, originally from Brazil, has an impressive record in growing iFood, a top food delivery company in Latin America.
Naspers’ future remains full of potential as it continues to adapt to new technologies and markets. Under its new leadership, the company aims to leverage AI and other innovations to enrich communities and reshape industries globally.
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