Tuesday, 27 October 2026 | Johannesburg
The Rising 20 Awards
EVENT SPONSORS:
The Rising 20 for 2026 was announced at a cocktail event in Johannesburg on Tuesday, 27 October 2026.
Each of The Rising 20 was awarded with a framed certificate at the event.
A digital feature is available on the DealMakers website and LinkedIn social media account.
At the ANSARADA DealMakers Annual Awards in February 2027, The Rising 20 will be acknowledged as part of the programme on the night.
Meet the 2026 Rising 20:
Yeshan Reddy | Rand Merchant Bank
Meet the Keynote Speaker:
Edward Kieswetter - vEKtor Solutions Laboratory | Former Commissioner of South African Revenue Service
Meet the Panellists:
Alupheli Sithebe — Kamva Investments
Alu Sithebe is the founder and Managing Director of Kamva Investments, a private markets investment holding company. A CA(SA) and MBA graduate, she has two decades of experience in financial services and investment, including senior dealmaking roles at the IDC, Senatla Capital and African Phoenix Investments. She brings extensive M&A, private equity, investment and governance experience, together with a strong commitment to developing South Africa’s next generation of talent.
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Jesmane Boggenpoel — AIH Capital
Jesmane Boggenpoel is Co-founder and the Chief Investment Officer of AIH Capital, a South African private equity firm focused on the mid-market. A Chartered Accountant with close to 20 years of investment and transaction experience, she has held roles in corporate finance and private equity, including at KPMG, Anglo American and Brait, and was previously Head of Business Engagement – Africa at the World Economic Forum based in Switserland. With extensive board and investment experience, Jesmane brings a valuable perspective on leadership, commercial judgement, investment and future potential. Jesmane also holds a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard’s JFK School of Government and is the author of My Blood Divides and Unites.
Phathu Tshivhengwa — Bidvest
Phathu Tshivhengwa is Executive – M&A at Bidvest where he is responsible for mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance. He brings extensive experience in corporate finance and M&A, with a strong understanding of transactions from the corporate/principal perspective. His experience and insight into deal execution, commercial decision-making and the development of talent make him a valuable member of the Rising 20 judging panel.
Marylou Greig — DealMakers
Marylou Greig is co-founder of DealMakers and has played a leading role in building the organisation into South Africa’s leading independent source of M&A and corporate finance intelligence. With more than two and a half decades of experience tracking and reporting on the South African dealmaking industry, she has a unique perspective on the evolution of the profession and the people shaping it. As the founder of The Rising 20 initiative, Marylou brings an independent industry perspective and a particular focus on recognising, encouraging and developing the next generation of South African dealmakers.
The inaugural Rising 20 Awards were held in Johannesburg on 27 October 2026, where the top 20 young M&A professionals of 2026 were announced.
The nomination fee is R3,500 excl VAT per candidate, and nominations from the industry are limited to 60 entries, which will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Please book your nominations ASAP as no further nominations will be accepted after the 60 pax threshold is reached.
You can book your entries before submitting the nomination documentation.
Timeline:
• Launch: 1 July 2026
• Nominations close: 10 September 2026
• Top 30 shortlist announced: 14 October 2026
• The Rising 20 Awards: 27 October 2026
Find out more below:
A maximum of 60 nominations will be reviewed and accepted for each year and will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. To reserve your spot(s), please complete the booking form and return to Vanessa on reception@gleason.co.za