If an investment of R4000 earns R840 in simple interest at 3% per annum, then the amount of time it takes for the investment to earn this interest is $840 / (4000 * 0.03) = 840 / 120 = 7$ years.
Therefore, it will take 7 years for an investment of R4000 at 3% per annum simple interest to earn an interest of R840.