It was back in 2008 that Durban-born Tatum Keshwar, now Tatum Wheatley, was crowned Miss South Africa, and her life consisted of official events, charity work, and representing the nation at the Miss World pageant in 2009, where she was crowned second runner-up. Seventeen years on, Tatum has established herself in the investment world. She’s the executive director of Altvest Capital, with business interests ranging from hospitality to property and a high-profile Springbok bid. The company recently launched the Altvest Orient Opportunities Fund (AOOF), with an aim to open the Chinese market to South Africans.
We spoke to Tatum about the Chinese market, working with her husband and, of course, shopping in China.
First things first, what is AOOF?
Altvest Capital is a JSE-listed investment platform that brings alternative investment opportunities that would typically only be accessible to the ultra-wealthy to the market. The AOOF is a venture capital opportunity to fund the growth of start-ups in China. Companies within the Orient Fund are vetted and tracked venture capital startups not yet listed for public investment but with high potential.
The official documents mention Class D shares. What is that?
Altvest creates instruments (shares) that give buyers economic exposure to an investment theme or asset. We give them different names. For example, our Class A shares give exposure to Umganu Lodge. Class D, which is listed, is the share for investors wanting exposure to AOOF.
Why China?
China has great growth potential, unmatched anywhere else in the world. It’s truly mind-blowing.
South Africans are conservative investors. How do you convince people with spare cash to take the leap?
I believe our country is at a crossroads politically, and with all eyes on our next move, Altvest is more hopeful about the future of South Africa than ever before. We believe in South Africa and are convinced we can impact our economy while improving the lives of all South Africans through our platform and empowerment funds.
It’s interesting that your mission as Miss South Africa focused on empowerment, and now, in a different space, the core driver remains.
Altvest Capital was conceptualised and started by our founder and CEO, Warren Wheatley, with the mission of empowering people. Empowerment remains one of our core values, along with inclusion, innovation, collaboration, and agility.
What has been your single biggest lesson on this journey?
We did due diligence with RisCura on a tech start-up founded just three years ago, meeting the 30-year-old founder and CEO. In that time, the company’s value had grown to over R150M. He shared his story of launching the business during COVID and eventually competing with major American companies, and how venture capital played a crucial role in their rapid growth. The key takeaway from meeting with several founders during the due diligence process as an investor was: ‘get in early and stay the course.’
We can’t talk about travel without mentioning shopping…
My biggest splurge was on silk and pearls. I can’t wait to wear them somewhere special. I also bought a pair of Akoya pearl and diamond earrings from a pearl market in the heart of downtown China, where you can even find turtles for sale if you look hard enough.
What is AOOF and why should you care?
The AOOF is an investment fund that will allow investors, particularly from South Africa, to invest their savings in the booming Chinese markets. The primary focus of the AOOF will be to find exciting start-up companies in China that have either developed pioneering technology, invented groundbreaking medicines, or some other innovative ideas.
AOOF will focus on 3 core sectors.
- Technology (AI, semiconductor chips, robotics etc.)
- Health Care (Vaccines, cancer treatments, and other new medicines)
- Renewable Energy (Electric vehicles and other technologies)
You can invest through EasyEquities or through an accredited JSE broker. Alternatively contact: [email protected] for help.
