Theophilous James Bennett Botha | |
---|---|
Born | 1 March 1960 |
Occupation | self-employed |
Theophilous James Bennett "Theo" Botha (born 1 March 1960) is a South African shareholder activist.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] He has queried many companies in the area of good corporate governance,[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] ethics,[17][18][19][20] executive compensation,[21][22][23] environmental practices[24] and Black Economic Empowerment.[25][26][27] He has also criticized South African corporate governance guidelines as too lenient.[28]
Theo Botha first decided to pursue shareholder activism after an investment in a small life insurance company (The Sage Group).[29] The company was making huge losses in the United States that it refused to disclose to the South African shareholders.[6]
In a press interview it was found that "Botha doesn’t appear to be making money off this enterprise; in most instances he buys only one share."[7][excessive citations]
Botha's usual approach is not unlike his first encounter with Sage in which all he did was pose a few questions which usually make the companies in question edgy.[citation needed] He spends time going through company financial reports to note discrepancies which he will use to compile his questions which he asks during company AGM's.[citation needed]
The South African companies Botha has confronted include The Sage Group,[29] Sappi,[30][31]Absa,[32][33] Sasol,[34][35] SABMiller,[36][37] Pick n Pay Stores,[23][38] Tiger Brands,[39] Avusa,[40] Anglo Platinum,[17][41][42] Pretoria Portland Cement Company,[16][24] Mutual & Federal,[21] Bidvest,[11][12][27] Wesizwe Platinum,[43] and Liberty Holdings Limited.[44]