• 19 April 2026
Brenthurst Wealth has grown from a small, independent boutique to one of South Africa’s largest wealth managers, with R35 billion in assets under management.
Brenthurst Wealth was founded by Magnus Heystek, Brian Butchart, and Sue Heystek in 2004 in Fourways, Johannesburg.
It was a good time to launch an investment business, as South Africa was at the start of a major bull market, bolstered by a big commodity upcycle.
The bull market continued for four to five years, and Brenthurst invested in great funds, including John Biccard’s Value Fund.
Biccard’s fund returned over 40% per year for multiple years, which helped Brenthurst Wealth to rapidly grow its assets under management.
However, the JSE rally did not last. The financial crisis destroyed global markets, and Jacob Zuma became South Africa’s president.
The devastation of having Zuma in charge in South Africa became evident, and the commodity cycle turned downwards in 2011 and 2012.
Magnus Heystek said they realised that South Africa was no longer an environment conducive to long-term investment or to safeguarding clients’ wealth.
Brenthurst Wealth sought better returns internationally and partnered with global fund managers, including Franklin Templeton, Fidelity, and Vanguard.
The firm also established two offshore funds: the Brenthurst Global Balanced Fund and the Brenthurst Global Equity Fund.
Through these initiatives, Brenthurst Wealth clients benefited from the decade-long bull cycle in US technology shares.
Its clients achieved much better returns than those invested in the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), and many asset managers followed its example.
In recent years, it strengthened its defensive investment approach by incorporating high-grade bonds, dividend-paying equities, and capital-guaranteed instruments.
It also offers portfolio rebalancing across non-correlated assets, including infrastructure, private credit, gold, hedge funds, and alternative strategies.
From zero to R35 billion in 22 years
Magnus Heystek said in an interview on the Truth Report podcast that he started Brenthurst Wealth after his first company was stolen from him.
He said that he sold his first investment company, Magnus Heystek Investment Services, to a big corporation after they approached him.
“I thought that I really made it. However, they really ripped me off and essentially stole my company,” he said.
He then founded Brenthurst Wealth, which became a phenomenal success. “I should thank the big corporation that took my company,” he said.
He said that Brenthurst Wealth grew to between R30 billion and R35 billion in assets under management. They serve between 2,000 and 3,000 families.
The firm creates custom investment packages for its top clients and serves smaller clients through a range of hand-picked funds.
Magnus Heystek has been the face of Brenthurst Wealth since its launch. However, at 72, he admitted that succession planning becomes important.
Three of his children have qualified as certified financial planners and lawyers, and they are all part of the business.
“They have been working at Brenthurst Wealth for between 10 and 20 years and are all in senior roles at the company,” he said.
He added that the average age of the company’s top employees is between 35 and 40, positioning Brenthurst Wealth for strong future growth.
“I set the standard and the culture at the company. Hopefully, when I am gone, they will continue doing it,” Heystek said.
“I have a good succession plan. My wife is the marketing director, and there is a young CEO running the operations at Brenthurst Wealth.”
Brenthurst Wealth photos and sponsorships
Megan joined the Brenthurst Wealth team in March 2026 as an Administrative and Fiduciary Services Assistant at our Val de Vie Office in the Western Cape. Prior to joining Brenthurst, Megan gained three years of experience in the retail sector, where she developed management and client service skills.
I obtained my National Diploma in Financial Information Systems from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 1999 and have worked in the wealth management industry since January 2000. Over the years, I have gained extensive experience in various roles, including Portfolio Manager Assistant, Planner Assistant, and Paraplanner.
Esmarelda Isaacs-Andreas joined the Brenthurst Wealth Stellenbosch office in October 2025, taking on the dual role of Receptionist and Fiduciary Administrator.
I obtained my National Diploma in Financial Information Systems from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 1999 and have worked in the wealth management industry since January 2000. Over the years, I have gained extensive experience in various roles, including Portfolio Manager Assistant, Planner Assistant, and Paraplanner.
Ashley joined Brenthurst Wealth in January 2025 as Office Administrative Assistant and Receptionist for the Stellenbosch Office.
René Heystek joined Brenthurst Wealth in November 2023, as receptionist and administrative assistant in the newly established George/Garden Route office.
Michelle Heystek has built a career in the financial services over the last two decades, after obtaining her B.Com degree in Financial Management in 2005. Once she joined Brenthurst in 2006, she continued her academic journey, obtaining her Certificate in Wealth Management from INSETA in 2007, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning from the University of the Free State. In 2008, she earned the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation.
Anelle joined Brenthurst Wealth as a Receptionist and Administrative Assistant to Brian Butchart in the Cape Town office in December 2023. She has a wealth of knowledge from working as a liaison between Financial Advisers and clients at TMA and Absa Investment Management Services (Aims) since 1998. She obtained her B. com degree from the University of Port Elizabeth in 1997.
ADMITTED ATTORNEY | FINANCIAL PLANNER & HEAD OF BRENTHURST FOURWAYS
Sanet was appointed in April 2020, joining our Cape Town team as an Executive Administration Assistant to Renee Eagar. She has been in the financial services industry since 1990. Her previous experience includes positions at Sanlam, BJM and ABSA. She spent her last 12 years working at Alexander Forbes Private Client Wealth as a Senior Wealth Management Assistant. She has received numerous accolades over the years which include but not limited to, Alexander Forbes Client Service Excellence – Silver award in 2014,2015 and 2017. Sanet has also obtained her Certificate in Wealth Management (NQF 5) in 2012 and achieved “Best Student of the Year” from Moonstone.
Maria Smit is a Certified Financial Planner® with over 10 years of experience in the financial planning industry.
