After four years away, walking back into the Ansarada DealMakers Annual Gala Awards felt deeply personal. As I stepped into the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, I realised how much I had missed the rhythm of this industry. The conversations, the energy in the room, the familiar faces. It felt like coming home.
The evening brought together just under 700 professionals from across South Africa’s M&A and corporate finance community. It was a celebration of the deals that shaped 2025 and the people behind them. What stood out most was not just the size of the transactions recognised, but the intent behind them. Strategic demergers, meaningful BEE transactions, private equity growth stories and complex restructurings all reflected a market that continues to evolve with purpose.
South Africa’s M&A landscape has shown resilience. Despite global uncertainty, dealmakers have continued to find opportunity across sectors such as renewables, infrastructure, mining and financial services. There is a growing sense of pragmatism in the market. Buyers are disciplined. Sellers are more prepared. Transactions are more structured and increasingly data led. Technology is playing a bigger role in due diligence and execution, improving efficiency and transparency.
Being back in this environment also marked my own return. Re-entering the space alongside bizval feels aligned with where the market is heading. Valuation today is not a box to tick. It is central to negotiation, strategy and confidence. In a competitive environment, credible and defensible valuations can be the difference between a deal closing or collapsing. They shape expectations, anchor discussions and protect long term value.
bizval’s value proposition sits exactly at that intersection. Providing clarity, objectivity and strategic insight allows businesses to engage in transactions with confidence. As deal making becomes more sophisticated, the role of independent valuation expertise becomes even more pivotal. It is no longer just about pricing an asset. It is about understanding risk, growth potential and strategic positioning.
On a personal level, the night was also about reconnection. Catching up with old friends and long-standing colleagues reminded me how relationships remain at the heart of this industry. Deals are built on trust. Trust is built over time. Being back in those conversations reaffirmed why I chose this path in the first place.
A sincere thank you to the DealMakers team for hosting another outstanding event. The evening was seamless and meaningful, a true reflection of the professionalism within our industry.
I leave the awards with renewed energy and focus. I look forward to meeting more businesses, understanding their ambitions and playing a meaningful role in their next chapter. It feels good to be back where I am meant to be.
By Boitumelo P. Boikhutso bizval Advisory and Business Development Partner – JHB