Die MOS Marks One Year Since Historic Issuance

By Roedolf van der Westhuizen

It’s hard to believe, but we’re already at the one-year mark since Die Mos launched the Die MOS 10-Year Prime+2% Floating Rate Bond on Mesh. And as I reflect on what the year has held, I feel both proud and deeply grateful.

When we first stepped into this space as the first African company to issue smart bonds on Mesh, there were some raised eyebrows – and rightly so. It’s not every day that a network of Afrikaans schools enters the investment world in such a bold way. But today, I want to thank our investors for taking the leap with us. Their belief made it possible for us to raise R100 million – enough to break ground on new schools, strengthen existing ones, and keep building the kind of future we all want to see for our children.

Now, let’s talk about what’s happened in the 12 months since we launched our bond note in April 2024. At Kosmos Akademie in Middelburg, Die Mos has completed Phase 1 – a beautiful, functional space with capacity for 250 learners. It’s the first step in a long-term plan to eventually grow to 1300. We’re building with purpose, one phase at a time.

In Krugersdorp, we opened Knikkievallei, a new nursery school in partnership with Kenmare Marlothii NPC. It’s a great example of how public and private education can work together to improve quality and ensure sustainability. The school feeds into Kenmare Primary, supporting long-term Afrikaans education in the area.

Further south, Karos Akademie in Beaufort West has completed Phase 2. Just two years in, and we’re already expanding to keep up with growing demand. It’s a great problem to have.

Beyond these projects, we’ve also rolled out capital upgrades at several existing schools to improve facilities and drive enrolment. Brick by brick, the vision is taking shape.

That’s not just talk – it’s delivery. And for those who were watching closely, yes: our investors have already received three coupon payments, with the fourth just around the corner. Many have even chosen to reinvest, which tells me that our investors are seeing what we’re seeing: this is working.

Across our schools and online platform, we’re now serving just over 2000 learners – a number that reflects the steady momentum we’ve built over time, especially since we had only 750 learners at the end of 2022, which means we more than doubled in just over 24 months. Around 30% of our learners are in preschool, 33% in primary school, and 37% in high school. That balance shows we’re not only laying strong foundations, but also following through – guiding learners all the way to the finish line.

Both our high schools achieved a 100% matric pass rate in the 2024 IEB exams. For Futurum Akademie, this marks the third year in a row, and for Karos Akademie, the second consecutive year – exactly as many years as they’ve had Grade 12 classes – three for Futurum and two for Karos. It’s a testament to the consistency and commitment of our teams, and a real vote of confidence in the quality of education we’re delivering.

Our online platform is sitting just below 1000 learners, and continues to grow. That tells me families see value in what MOS offers – whether they’re walking through a school gate or logging in from home.

Addressing the Noise

You may have heard some noise in the market – whispers about instability, concerns around early childhood education as other school groups hit rough patches, or questions about long-term sustainability. Here’s what I want you to know: MOS is solid.

We were founded by the Trust vir Afrikaanse Onderrig (TAO), which remains our most committed shareholder. Their support has enabled us to build a sustainable model with a healthy 50/50 debt-to-equity ratio. That’s not common in education, but it’s what gives us breathing room to grow responsibly.

We chose a 10-year bond because we know schools don’t become sustainable overnight. It takes about seven years for a school to stabilise, and we’ve built in a three-year buffer to protect your investment and secure long-term success. We’ve also secured a commercial bank partner willing to help fund schools once they become profitable. This gives us breathing room to repay investments – plus, we’ve built in a refinancing option as a safety net.

And just in case our investors need extra assurance: your bond is underwritten and guaranteed by the Trust vir Afrikaanse Kuns, Kultuur en Erfenis (TAKKE). That means your capital and returns are backed – with full transparency via the Mesh platform, where we share progress updates regularly.

We’re backed by a strong and diverse board that brings real wisdom and oversight to the table. Leaders like Dr Theuns Eloff, Professor Debra Meyer, Eric Wassenaar, and Verna Stuurman help steer the broader group, while Frik van Wyk, Dawie Rood, and Professor Fanie Gericke strengthen the MOS Uitreiker board and audit committee. I serve alongside them as an executive member – and together, we ensure the integrity and direction of the MOS vision.

What’s Next For Die MOS?

There’s a lot to look forward to. Hartland Akademie in Hartenbos, a collaboration with Doxa Deo Education Trust and Hartland Lifestyle Estate, is on the horizon. Construction is pending approval, but we’re hopeful that we’ll open doors in 2026 or 2027. We’re also launching a new high school in Wonderboom, complementing the existing Knikkie Knakkie Kleuterskool and feeding from Wonderboom Laerskool.

And I’m excited to officially introduce the MOS Klein Skole Netwerk. This is something close to my heart. Rural Afrikaans communities are losing schools – not because of a lack of spirit, but a lack of scale. Our Klein Skole model empowers people in those towns to start sustainable schools with as few as 20 learners, backed by our full learning system and supported by over 30 subject experts. We already have a few pilot schools up and running, and we’re set to launch the first full version of the concept in 2026. I truly believe it’s going to reshape the future of Afrikaans education in South Africa.

Finally, to all our investors: thank you for trusting us. We’ve come a long way in just one year, but this is only the beginning. The vision is big, the work is real, and the future we’re building matters. Thank you for believing in us when it counted. Together, we’re not just investing in schools – we’re investing in something far more powerful: a generation of young people who are ready to lead, serve, and shape the world they’ll inherit.