This is one of the most remarkable employee-reward stories in South African technology history. The deeper lesson isn't simply "give employees lots of money" — it's that people who contribute to building a company can become part of its value-creation story, and that employees can be among a company's most important assets.
Source: Mail & Guardian
Frequently Asked Questions
Who received the bonuses?
All 57 employees, including office cleaners and the gardener, not just senior staff or engineers.
How much was the Thawte deal worth?
Contemporary reports placed it at approximately R3.5 billion, or US$575 million, depending on the reporting and share valuation.
How much did the bonuses total?
Roughly R57 million in total, if all 57 employees each received R1 million.