Early Life and Education
Johannes “Jannie” Mouton was born in Carnarvon, South Africa, in 1946. He matriculated in 1964 and went on to study at Stellenbosch University, where he earned a BCom (Hons) degree. He qualified as a chartered accountant in 1973 after completing his articles at Coopers Brothers (now PricewaterhouseCoopers).
Rise to Success
Mouton started his career as an accountant and later co-founded the stockbroking firm Senekal, Mouton & Kitshoff. However, he was fired from the firm in 1995. Undeterred, Mouton, at the age of 48, joined forces with Chris Otto and founded PSG Group in November 1995. They bought a listed recruitment company and then flipped it. PSG Group grew into a financial powerhouse, and Mouton's vision led to the creation of successful businesses like Capitec, PSG Konsult, and Curro Holdings. In 2018, he stepped down as non-executive chair due to health reasons.
Key Business Strategies
Mouton's business strategy has centered on identifying undervalued assets and creating long-term value. PSG Group focused on companies with uncomplicated business models in industries with attractive growth prospects. The company has invested in financial services, manufacturing, mining, agriculture, property, and renewable energy. In the early 2000s, PSG Group's model shifted to an investment holding company.
Philanthropy
In 2016, Mouton bequeathed R50 million for the Jan Mouton Centre of Learning at Stellenbosch University. In 2017, he founded the Jannie Mouton Stigting (Foundation) with PSG shares. The foundation has offered to buy out the Curro Holdings, converting it to a non-profit, with the aim to reinvesting its profits to education. Mouton's philanthropy also includes supporting various welfare organizations.