# Public Investment Corporation

The Public Investment Corporation (PIC) is a South African state-owned entity (SOC) with R2.693 trillion (USD 142 Billion) of assets under management as of 31 March 2024. It is Africa's largest asset manager. Established in 1911, it holds large stakes in several South African companies, and is one of the entities through which the government implements its policy of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment. The PIC is also responsible for investing in the South African Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF).

## History

The organisation has its origins in 1911, with the passing of the Public Debt Commissioners Act of 1911, a year after the formation of the Union of South Africa.$^{:3}$ Known then as the Public Debt Commissioners, it would manage the government's debt, investing the government and South African Railways and Harbours trust funds and by 1924 had taken on the provincial administrators funds as well.$^{:3}$ By the mid-1920s it would manage the granting of loans to local governments in the country.$^{:3}$ The Pension funds managed by the government would allow the government to borrow against those funds. In 1984, a new act, the Public Investment Commissioners Act No.45 of 1984, moved its focus from debt to investment management, investing funds on behalf of government organisations, the appointment of commissioners and the finance minister as its chairman.$^{:3}$
With the first free election in South Africa in 1994, the Public Investment Commissioners announced the formation of the Isibaya Fund in 1995. This saw a portion of the money managed diverted to the new fund to invest in Socially Responsible Investments to target economic growth transformations in population groups disadvantaged during apartheid.$^{:3}$ The next change came in 2004 with a new act passed called the Public Investment Corporation Act of 2004, where the Public Investment Commission became legalised corporate asset managers.$^{:4}$ Now a client's specific investment objectives would be expresses in a detailed client investment mandate which are individually negotiated with a client concerned and approved by the Financial Services Board.$^{:4}$

## Governance

The current chairman is also the South African Deputy Minister of Finance and was appointed by the Minister of Finance.$^{:100–6}$ The chairman is a government member mainly due to the high percentage of government pension funds under management by the Public Investment Corporation.$^{:100–6}$ All other directors are also appointed by Minister of Finance.
* Dr David Masondo (chairperson) (non-executive director)
* Ms Ntombifuthi Mtoba (deputy chairperson) (non-executive director)
* Ms Beverley Bouwer (non-executive director)
* Prof Bonke Dumisa (non-executive director)
* Mr Walter Hlaise (non-executive director)
* Mr Mugwena Maluleke (non-executive director)
* Dr Lufuno Mulaudzi (non-executive director)
* Ms Tryphosa Ramano (non-executive director)
* Ms Barbara Watson (non-executive director)
* Mr Abel Sithole (chief executive officer) (executive director)
* Ms Batandwa Damoyi (chief financial officer) (executive director)
* Mr Kabelo Rikhotso (chief investment officer) (executive director)

## PIC clients and share of total assets under management

The following figures shows the share of the total assets under management by PIC from each public institution in South Africa as of 31 March 2024:$^{:65}$
* Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) –87.97%
* Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) – 5.55%
* Compensation Commissioner Fund (CC) – 2.19%
* Compensation Commissioner Pension Fund (CP) – 1.91%
* Associated Institutions Pension Fund (AIPF) – 0.67%
* Constitutes various clients with smaller portfolios – 1.70%

## Funds held under management

The total assets held under management by the Public Investment Corporation as at 31 March each year are:
    Date (31 Mar)Total funds (trillions)  % ChangeNotes 2003 R0.309 N/A 2004 R0.377 22,01% 2005 R0.461 22,28% 2006 R0.599 29,93% 2007 R0.720 20,20% 2008 R0.787 9,31% 2009 R0.740 -5,97% 2010 R0.911 23,11% 2011 R1.032 13,28% 2012 R1.170 13,37% 2013 R1.400 19,66% 2014 R1.600 14,29% 2015 R1.810 13,13% 2016 R1.857 2,60% 2017 R1.928 3,82% 2018 R2.083 8,04% 2019 R2.164 3,89% 2020 R1.907 -11,88% 2021 R2.339 22,65% 2022 R2.548 8,2%

## Investments

As a long-term investor, the Public Investment Corporation sets its objective as one to achieve returns higher than the clients have benchmarked and is spread amongst four investments areas:
* Fixed income and dealing – Manages all fixed bonds in which the Public Investment Corporation has invested. A government corporation or parastatal would approach the Public Investment Corporation to borrow funds and in exchange a fixed interest bearing bond would be issued and managed on behalf of the former organisations. They are a member of the Bond Exchange of South Africa (BESA).
* Listed equities – Their largest client is the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) with approximately 80% of the stocks managed internally and external managers managing the remaining 20% of the fund with the ability to invest up to 10% of the funds outside of South Africa. Its investment on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange is worth approximately 12.5% of the exchanges capitalisation.
* Properties – Manages high-quality retail, offices and industrial properties including property asset management, property development and new property acquisitions. The clients of the property fund are the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF), the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and the Compensation Commissioner Fund (CC). Some of the properties managed or part managed are the Menlyn Shopping Centre, Cresta Shopping Centre, The Pavilion, Tyger Valley Centre, Westgate and Southgate shopping centres as well as the Minosa and Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and the Airports Company South Africa, owner of national and international airports.
* Isibaya – making use of a portion of clients funds, it provides financing for projects that contribute to long-term economic, social, and environmental outcomes in South Africa but provide a financial returns for the client.