Dr. Chris van der Merwe established Curro Holdings Limited in 1998, and it is widely recognized as the biggest network of private schools in South Africa. Together with co-founders Eddie Conradie, Boetie Ungerer, and Thys Franken, they started off with a small group of 28 students in a church vestry. Curro has grown considerably over the years, running several schools nationwide and becoming public on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) in 2011.
Since Curro is a publicly traded corporation, its ownership is divided among a number of shareholders. Its strategic direction is overseen by the board of directors, of whom Themba Baloyi has been chair since June 2024. Santi Botha was replaced in this position by Baloyi, who has been an independent non-executive director since November 2020.
Dr. Chris van der Merwe, while no longer at the helm, continues to contribute as a non-executive director on Curro’s board. His initial vision and leadership were instrumental in shaping Curro’s trajectory, transforming it from a single modest school into a leading educational institution in South Africa.
In summary, Curro Holdings Limited operates under the stewardship of a diverse board of directors, with no single individual owning the company outright. Its growth and success are the result of collaborative efforts from its founders, leadership team, and stakeholders committed to advancing private education in South Africa.