ADvTECH DELIVERS RESILIENT OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL PERFOMANCE AND RESUMES DIVIDENDS.

Commenting on the results ADvTECH CEO Roy Douglas said: “ADvTECH has delivered a solid performance for the year ended 31 December 2020, driven by an improvement in the operational performance at the schools division, continued profit growth in tertiary and a robust result from the rest of Africa resourcing business. The good performance in the education division was despite an increase in loss allowance as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent weak economy.

 

A true measure of a business’ character is how it responds to unprecedented circumstances. ADvTECH’s strategic resolve, committed employees, robust technology processes and infrastructure combined to effortlessly deliver high-quality education and a resilient financial performance. This is a clear demonstration of the soundness and sustainability of our business.”

 

Operational highlights

 

ADvTECH confidently commenced the 2020 financial year given the strategic foundation, across the schools, tertiary and resourcing divisions, that had been laid in previous years. The group enjoyed good enrolment growth and benefited from restructuring, rationalisation and cost saving initiatives. It was consequently well placed to withstand the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and respond timeously to continue offering high-quality, holistic education through various modes of delivery.   

 

At the onset of the pandemic and throughout the period, the group prioritised the safety and wellbeing of all stakeholders, addressing the needs of its students and parents and continued to honor commitments to educators and our stakeholders.

 

·       Rapidly transitioned 75 000 students seamlessly to online tuition without losing a single academic day

·       Provided R47 million assistance to 5 386 families

·       Heightened monitoring and additional counselling for the general wellbeing of stakeholders

·       Provided distinct pastoral care in line with an all-embracing educational offering focused on the full range of needs of students, parents and educators

 

Financial highlights

 

The results for the year reflect the clear benefit of the strategic initiatives implemented over the past several years, as well as a focus on cash preservation and careful balance sheet management. In the first quarter of the financial year, the group continued to grow enrolments in the schools and tertiary divisions, while the resourcing division delivered a strong performance. The nine months to end December 2020, however, were characterised by greater volatility because of the lockdown restrictions. The group quickly adapted to this new environment via its sustainable cost control and cash preservation measures.

 

·       Revenue up 8% to R5.5 billion (2019: R5.1 billion)

·       Operating profit up 5% to R910 million (2019: R869 million)

·       Normalised earnings per share increased by 5% to 89.8 cents (2019: 85.2 cents)

 

ADvTECH proactively managed costs in a such a way that it was able to maintain the delivery of academic excellence. Fee collection, although slightly short of targeted levels, improved in the second half of the year, and capital expenditure focused on increasing capacity on sites to meet demand and enhancing equipment to assist in the delivery of online and hybrid solutions. Taking the strong cash generation throughout the year and current financial position into account the group decided to declare a dividend of 20.0 cents (2019: 15.0 cents).

 

Divisional highlights

 

Both schools and tertiary divisions performed well regardless of the increase in loss allowance due to the impact of a weaker economy. The resourcing division’s business in the rest of Africa delivered a robust performance resulting in good revenue growth for the division.

 

In response to the unprecedented conditions posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, subsequent lockdown and economic contraction, ADvTECH elected not to increase school fees for 2021 and only marginally increased fees at the tertiary level. The group remains confident in the ongoing demand for quality education in South Africa and across the continent.


Schools division: Sustained quality education via agile offering and multiple modes of delivery

 

·       School student enrolment up 5%.

·       Revenue up 4% and operating profit up 7%.

·       Efficient business model delivered good results.

·       Comprehensive range and flexibility in delivering quality education in a challenging environment.

·       Encouraging growth experienced in mid-fee sector (opened Pinnacle Linden and Pinnacle Waterfall in 2020).

·       Sustained momentum in the premium fee segment via the opening of Trinityhouse Glenvista in 2020.

·       Evolve Online School, opened in 2021 offering an MIT developed programme has enrolled 447 students already.

·       Continued to build scale in rest of Africa by increasing enrolments by 10% in 2021.

·       Crawford International School, in Kenya, offering the Cambridge International Curriculum, shifted to online tuition and successfully completed the academic year in July 2020.

·       Gaborone International School continued to perform well and proceeded with online tuition during Botswana’s lockdowns.

·       Revenue in rest of Africa impacted by Makini School, in Kenya, being unable to invoice fees following Kenyan government directive to defer the school year in response to COVID-19.

 

Tertiary division/ “Private University”: Quality established academic offering and delivery methods delivery - resilient performance

 

·       Revenue up 9% and operating profit up 9%.

·       The agility of the operational teams ensured a resilient performance.

·       Well established brands with respected value proposition.

·       Flexible academic offering and delivery method meant a seamless transition to online studies.

·       2021 enrollment cycle delayed due to late release of matric results.

 

Resourcing division: Remains profitable due to a good performance in the rest of Africa

 

·       Swift management action to protect the business in difficult circumstances.

·       Strategy to expand into the rest of Africa allowed the resourcing division to remain profitable despite the extremely challenging environment in South Africa.

·       Growth delivered by operations in the rest of Africa, increasing revenue by 39% and operating profit by 42%.

·       Resourcing division remained profitable by having strategically expanded into the rest of Africa.

·       Hiring activity in South Africa came to a complete standstill in April and May.

 

Commenting on the group’s prospects Douglas said: “We remain satisfied that the group has sufficient resilience to navigate through the subdued economic environment. Our focus remains squarely on serving our customers to the best of our ability.

 

ADvTECH will remain bold and ambitious in the face of these challenging conditions as we believe our performance in 2020 has put us firmly on the front foot. Our strong cash generation and sound balance sheet, together with sustainable cost and capital expenditure containment measures, affords the group significant capacity to navigate any future uncertainty. Overall, the group remains confident in its ability to rapidly implement flexible, quality education delivery models, and provide a consistent value proposition across all our brands.”


ADvTECH Updates

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January 21, 2026
Pinnacle College Kyalami is a school intentionally designed for their community, one in which adaptability, digital fluency and human skills matter as much as academic knowledge. Its educational model blends strong academic foundations with innovation, personalisation and holistic development to prepare learners for futures that are still unfolding. A defining feature of the school is the purposeful integration of technology into everyday learning . Classrooms are equipped with modern digital tools that support interactive, blended and inquiry-based learning. From Grade 0, students are introduced to coding, robotics and computational thinking , helping them develop problem-solving skills, logical reasoning and creative confidence with technology, not as an add-on, but as part of the learning culture. In Grades 4 to 6, mathematics is supported by ADvLEARN , an AI-enhanced approach to learning that enables teachers to track learner progress with greater precision and tailor targeted support or extension to individual needs. This is further strengthened by the school’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) framework, ensuring that each learner’s academic, emotional and developmental needs are understood and supported in a structured, intentional way. Pinnacle College Kyalami also offers a boarding environment for up to 100 learners , providing a secure, nurturing and structured setting that extends learning beyond the classroom. Boarding supports independence, leadership and social development, while offering families a balanced blend of care, routine and opportunity. The campus itself is designed as a “playground for the future” , a space where curiosity is encouraged, collaboration is natural and learning is active. Through project-based work, interdisciplinary thinking and experiential opportunities, learners are supported to engage deeply, think critically and apply knowledge meaningfully.  Together, these elements create a learning environment that is not only academically sound, but future-focused by design, developing learners who are confident, capable, adaptable and ready to thrive in a world of constant change. Pinnacle Colleges, a member of the ADvTECH Schools Division, is a leading provider of future-focused education from early learning through to high school. Guided by our promise of Focus for Success, we combine academic excellence with innovation to provide structured pathways and modern learning environments. Our mission is to be the leading school brand for students pursuing tertiary education. By integrating data-informed teaching and technology-enhanced learning, we partner with parents to nurture confident, values-driven young people. With a legacy of excellence and a commitment to personal growth, Pinnacle Colleges prepares students to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
By Tamara Thomas January 20, 2026
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By Tamara Thomas January 14, 2026
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By Tamara Thomas December 19, 2025
ADvTECH Limited (Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa) (Registration number 1990/001119/06) Share code: ADH ISIN: ZAE000031035 (“ADvTECH” or “the Company”) DEALINGS IN SECURITIES BY A DIRECTOR OF A MAJOR SUBSIDIARY OF THE COMPANY AND AN ASSOCIATE OF SUCH DIRECTOR In compliance with the JSE Limited Listings Requirements the following information is disclosed in respect of dealings in ADvTECH securities by a Director of a Major Subsidiary of the Company and an associate of such a Director.
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By Tamara Thomas November 28, 2025
ADvTECH Limited (Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa) (Registration number 1990/001119/06) Share code: ADH ISIN: ZAE000031035 (“ADvTECH”) APPOINTMENT OF LEAD INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR (“LID”) In compliance with the JSE Listings Requirements, shareholders are advised of the following changes to the important function of a director. Harvey Christophers (“Harvey”), currently an independent non-executive director and member of the Audit and Risk, Investment and Remuneration Committees, has been appointment as Lead Independent Director with effect from 27 November 2025. Harvey will also being taking over the role of Chairperson of the Audit and Risk Committee, effective 1 January 2026, following the retirement of Keith Warburton as published on SENS, 8 April 2025. 28 November 2025 Johannesburg Sponsor: Bridge Capital Advisors Proprietary Limited
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ADvTECH Limited (Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa) (Registration number 1990/001119/06) Share code: ADH ISIN: ZAE000031035 (“ADvTECH” or “the Company”) DEALINGS IN SECURITIES BY A PRESCRIBED OFFICER OF THE COMPANY In compliance with the JSE Limited Listings Requirements the following information is disclosed in respect of dealings in ADvTECH securities by a Prescribed Officer of the Company.