Sanlam senior portfolio manager, Nel van Niekerk, passes away.

Sanlam Investment Management is sad to report the death of Jacobus Nel van Niekerk, senior portfolio manager, who died of a heart attack Friday evening, March 9. He was 53 years old.

An instrumental member of the investment team, Nel served the company for 20 years, during which he served in a number of roles of increasing responsibility. His passing represents a great loss to Sanlam as both an individual respected by industry colleagues and clients alike and a dedicated investment professional with extensive experience.

True to his selfless spirit, in his spare time, Nel played guitar for Dead Cat Bounce, a Cape Town based music group of investment professionals, who performed at local entertainment venues and donated proceeds to various non-profit organizations.

Nel attended Menlo Park High School before going to the University of Pretoria where he obtained a degree in mathematics, an honours and masters degree in mathematical statistics, and an MBA.

Sanlam Investment Management extends the deepest sympathy to his wife Annatjie, two sons, Marius and Jaco, and extended family.