It’s likely that you’ve heard of Sasol if you’ve ever driven by a gas station in South Africa or heard about the industrial and chemical advancements in the nation. Sasol is a significant contributor to the South African economy as a top integrated energy and chemical corporation. Ever wonder, though, who actually owns Sasol? Let’s dissect it.
What is Sasol?
Before diving into ownership, it’s important to understand what Sasol does. Founded in 1950, Sasol Limited is a South African company that develops and commercializes technologies, and builds and operates facilities to produce liquid fuels, chemicals, and electricity. It’s headquartered in Sandton, Johannesburg, and listed on both the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
So, Who Owns Sasol?
Sasol is publicly traded, meaning it does not have a single owner but is owned by thousands of individual and institutional shareholders who hold its shares through the stock market.
1. Institutional Investors
A large portion of Sasol’s ownership is held by institutional investors, such as pension funds, asset management companies, and investment firms. Some of the top institutional shareholders include:
- Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF), managed by the Public Investment Corporation (PIC)
- Allan Gray
- Coronation Fund Managers
- Old Mutual Investment Group
These institutions manage money on behalf of millions of South Africans — so indirectly, many ordinary South Africans are part-owners of Sasol through their pension funds or investments.
2. Retail (Individual) Investors
Thousands of South Africans and international investors own Sasol shares directly via the JSE or indirectly via investment platforms. Anyone with a brokerage account can buy Sasol shares, making it partially community-owned in a broader sense.
3. Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) Shareholders
Sasol has also implemented BEE initiatives to increase black ownership in the company. Notably, it created Sasol Khanyisa, a shareholding scheme aimed at empowering previously disadvantaged South Africans. Through this initiative, thousands of black South Africans became shareholders, contributing to broader economic transformation.
Is Sasol Owned by the South African Government?
While the South African government is not the sole owner of Sasol, it is one of the larger indirect shareholders through entities like the Public Investment Corporation (PIC). However, Sasol is not a state-owned company; it is a private company listed on the stock exchange, operating independently of direct government control.
Final Thoughts: Ownership is Shared
In conclusion, Sasol is owned by its shareholders, which include a mix of institutional investors, individual investors, government-linked entities, and BEE participants. While no single individual owns Sasol, it remains deeply rooted in the South African economy — with many citizens, directly or indirectly, holding a stake in its success.