16 February 2026
At Glacier, we believe investing is never just about markets, it’s about people, the lives behind every decision, and the futures entrusted to your advice. The annual Gauteng Investment Summit 2026 took place at the opulent Emperor’s Palace on 5 & 6 February.
From navigating uncertainty to protecting what clients have built, every conversation at this year’s Summit reflected the courage, discipline, and conviction needed to make investing brave, purposeful, and enduring.
Day 1: Brave Investing in action
An overview of 2025 and what to expect in 2026
Jeremy Gardiner | Ninety One
In his session, Jeremy Gardiner reflected on a dynamic 2025 marked by market volatility, geopolitical shifts and shifting investor sentiment. He highlighted how early-year optimism gave way to policy shocks, prompting portfolio diversification beyond traditional US equities and renewed interest in emerging markets. Looking ahead to 2026, Gardiner emphasises a cautiously constructive outlook with inflation easing, potential interest-rate reductions and a more balanced growth environment. Investors are encouraged to focus on diversification, resilient fundamentals and selective allocations amid persistent valuation and geopolitical risks. South African markets, benefiting from local improvements and renewed investor interest, also form part of this broader global narrative.
Asset management in the future will require bold decisions
Marthinus van der Nest | Sanlam Investments & Natalie Phillips | Ninety One
In this forward-looking discussion, Marthinus van der Nest and Natalie Phillips explored how asset management must evolve through strategic boldness amid a shifting investment landscape. They highlighted the importance of embracing innovation, deepening specialist capabilities and forging strategic partnerships to remain competitive and deliver meaningful outcomes for clients. With global partnerships — such as Sanlam Investments’ strengthened collaboration with Ninety One to bolster active management expertise — the industry is adapting to changing client needs, regulatory demands and diversification trends
Local politics | Daniel Silke
In this session, political economy expert Daniel Silke offered a compelling analysis of the current local political landscape and its implications for investors and communities. Drawing on his extensive experience in political analysis and public service, Silke explored key dynamics shaping South African municipalities ahead of the 2026 local elections, including shifting party support, coalition possibilities and voter sentiment. He highlighted how political fragmentation, service delivery challenges and evolving voter priorities could influence governance outcomes and economic confidence at a local level.
Panel Discussion 1: Fixed Income: Protecting capital, preserving income
Moderated by: Tebogo Moopa | James Turp - Ninety One | Erik Nel - Amplify Investment Partners | Melanie Stockigt - Granate Asset Management
This panel brought together three seasoned fixed income specialists to explore how investors can protect capital and generate reliable income in today’s uncertain markets.With bond yields and interest-rate dynamics evolving, the discussion focused on disciplined active management, diversification across quality credit and rate-sensitive instruments, and risk frameworks that prioritise downside protection alongside income generation.
Panel Discussion 2: Low Equity: Navigating growth in a low-equity landscape: balancing risk, return, and client expectations against the backdrop of recent market returns
Moderated by: Dean de Nysschen | Dirk van Vlaanderen - Camissa Asset Management | JP Matthews - Matrix Fund Managers | Madalet Sessions - Denker Capital
In this panel, seasoned equity specialists tackled the challenge of generating growth in a persistently low-equity return environment. The discussion focused on balancing risk and return while managing evolving client expectations. Panellists shared how selective stock selection, thematic opportunities and robust risk management frameworks help to identify value where broader indices offer limited upside.
Panel Discussion 3: Balanced Funds: Are high equity Balanced Funds still relevant? Rethinking growth strategies in a new era of extreme volatility
Moderated by: Thato Moitsemang | Matthew de Wet - Abax Investments | Peter Kempen - Coronation Fund Managers | Nico Katzke – Satrix
This panel examined the role of high-equity balanced funds in today’s volatile markets and whether traditional balanced strategies still serve investors well. With uncertainty across asset classes and sharp market swings, the panellists debated how balanced funds can adapt by rethinking growth levers, risk controls and equity exposure. They explored insights on tactical allocation, factor-based equity approaches and the value of diversification in managing drawdowns while pursuing long-term returns.
Panel Discussion 4: Local Equity: The art of blending investment philosophies and styles for modern portfolios
Moderated by: Shawn Phillips | David Lerche - Sanlam Private Wealth | Chantelle Baptiste - Fairtree | Linda Eedes - Foord Asset Management
This panel explored how leading local equity experts blend diverse investment philosophies and styles to build robust, modern portfolios in South Africa’s evolving market. Panellists discussed the value of combining bottom-up stock selection with thematic insights, flexible exposure to sectors and valuation disciplines to navigate a market where strict style labels may no longer capture opportunity sets. They highlighted how integrating varied philosophies, from fundamental research to dynamic allocation approaches, can enhance diversification, manage risk and generate long-term returns amidst market shifts.
Day 2: Conviction in a complex world
Strategy for the Brave
Pierre du Plessis | Guest Speaker | View the presentation summary
This panel examined the role of high-equity balanced funds in today’s volatile markets and whether traditional balanced strategies still serve investors well. With uncertainty across asset classes and sharp market swings, the panellists debated how balanced funds can adapt by rethinking growth levers, risk controls and equity exposure. They explored insights on tactical allocation, factor-based equity approaches and the value of diversification in managing drawdowns while pursuing long-term returns. View the workbook.
Panel Discussion 5: Global Equity: The Global investable universe, balancing risk and opportunity by finding balance between the local and offshore allocation in a client’s portfolio
Moderated by: Dean de Nysschen | Rob Forsyth - Ninety One | Karabo Maboa - Allan Gray | Leonard Krüger - M&G Investments
This panel explored the expansive global equity universe and how skilful allocation between local and offshore equities can enhance portfolio outcomes. Panellists discussed the benefits of diversifying beyond South Africa’s concentrated market and accessing broader sectors, themes and geographies that may offer growth and reduce concentration risk. They highlighted how regulatory changes enabling higher offshore limits broaden strategic options and why active, integrated decision-making across local and global is crucial to balancing risk, currency exposure and return expectations.
Panel Discussion 6: Hedge Funds: Unpacking Hedge Funds to align with investment strategies, client risk appetite and economic market cycles
Moderated by: Shawn Phillips | AJ Snyman - Peregrine Capital | Chris Reddy - All Weather Capital | Wessel Joubert - OysterCatcher Investments | Matthew Pouncett - Laurium Capital
This panel examined the role of high-equity balanced funds in today’s volatile markets and whether traditional balanced strategies still serve investors well. With uncertainty across asset classes and sharp market swings, the panellists debated how balanced funds can adapt by rethinking growth levers, risk controls and equity exposure. They explored insights on tactical allocation, factor-based equity approaches and the value of diversification in managing drawdowns while pursuing long-term returns.
TedTalk | Wynand Venter | Credo
Brave Investing isn’t about chasing trends, it’s disciplined, purposeful, and client-focused, ensuring decisions create sustainable, long-term outcomes in an evolving global market. Wynand Venter shared his 2026 investment outlook, exploring how AI, diversification, market sentiment, and emerging tech are shaping investment strategies. View the presentation
Panel Discussion 7: Flexible Funds: Be brave, be flexible
Moderated by: Thato Moitsemang | Warren Riley - Bateleur Capital | Shaun le Roux - PSG | Tumi Loate - 36One Asset Management
This panel examined the role of high-equity balanced funds in today’s volatile markets and whether traditional balanced strategies still serve investors well. With uncertainty across asset classes and sharp market swings, the panellists debated how balanced funds can adapt by rethinking growth levers, risk controls and equity exposure. They explored insights on tactical allocation, factor-based equity approaches and the value of diversification in managing drawdowns while pursuing long-term returns.
Panel Discussion 8: Emerging Markets: Finding growth and opportunity in the Emerging Market investment universe
Moderated by: Tebogo Moopa | Tian Pan - Prescient (China) | Michael Mortimore - Nedgroup Investments | Robert Holmes - Pacific Asset Management
This panel delved into the emerging market investment universe, exploring avenues for growth and opportunity amid higher volatility and evolving economic landscapes. The panellists discussed how investors can identify promising sectors, countries, and themes while managing geopolitical, currency, and market risks. With insights spanning China, Africa, and broader global emerging markets, the discussion highlighted strategies for balancing risk and return, incorporating both local expertise and global perspectives.
