Rob Hersov, a South African billionaire, is one of the country’s wealthiest persons and one of its most prominent characters in commercial and sociopolitical circles.
The outspoken businessman, who is a vocal critic of the ruling ANC, is an heir to the founding family of AngloVaal, a big Southern African mining and industrial conglomerate that the family sold off in the late 1990s. AngloVaal was founded by Hersov’s grandfather, Bob Hersov, and was run by Rob’s father, Basil Hersov, from 1973 to 2001.
While Hersov may have come from a wealthy family, the Harvard MBA has achieved his own success. Following his MBA, Hersov worked at Goldman Sachs and as an assistant to US media mogul Rupert Murdoch. He started the private aircraft firm Marquis Jets Europe in 1998, which he later sold to Berkshire Hathaway’s NetJets in 2004.
Hersov has gone on to run huge multinationals and build other firms worth tens of millions of dollars since the sale of Marquis Jets to Netjets.
HowAfrica examines seven firms launched by the Cape Town-based tycoon throughout the years.
1. Marquis Jet Europe
Hersov founded Marquis Jet Europe in 1998, offering short-term private jet utilization for both corporate and personal travel via cards that provide 25 hours of flying time on a variety of planes. NetJets purchased the company in 2004.
2. African Gold Acquisition Corporation (AGAC)
African Gold Acquisition Corporation operates as a blank check enterprise, pursuing acquisitions of businesses and assets through mergers, capital stock exchanges, asset procurements, stock purchases, and reorganizations. It is registered in the Cayman Islands and listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
3. YachtPlus
Members of YachtPlus get flexible access to a collection of luxury superyachts. Clients are given 1/8th equity ownership in a yacht, along with shared maintenance and crew costs.
4. The Sapinda Group
Sapinda Group is a global investment firm that focuses on capital markets and corporate holdings. Sapinda owns a controlling position in Ichor Coal N.V., a company principally active in South Africa and Asia, as well as Amatheon Agri Holding N.V., a company focused on agricultural activities and acreage in Africa.
5. Invest Africa
Invest Africa, founded in 2013 by Hersov, is a dedicated network that facilitates engagement between private and institutional investors, funds, and HNWIs, as well as possibilities in Africa. The network of Invest Africa includes global enterprises, private investors, fund managers, family offices, policymakers, and entrepreneurs.
6. Adoreum Partners
Adoreum Partners, based in the United Kingdom, is a specialized worldwide business development firm with strong relationships to CEOs, investors, business leaders, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and influencers. The Adoreum Club – a specialist business development platform that connects corporate members through a regular calendar of events in London, Zurich, and Monaco — is central to the organization.
The Adoreum Club is critical to the success of Adoreum Capital, a linked merchant venture capital platform that makes investments in businesses.
7. Sportal
Hersov founded Sportal, an online sports network that manages websites for major football clubs such as AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Juventus, and Sporting Lisbon.
