Nathan “Natie” Kirsh has risen to the top of South Africa’s billionaire rankings after his fortune climbed sharply to about $17.8 billion, overtaking luxury tycoon Johann Rupert.
Forbes now places Kirsh ahead of Rupert, whose wealth stands at around $15.9 billion. Bloomberg, however, estimates Kirsh slightly lower at $15.3 billion, although it confirms a major wealth surge of more than $5.5 billion this year.
The jump in his fortune follows a major US corporate shift. Sysco has moved to acquire Jetro Restaurant Depot in a $29.1 billion deal that includes debt, cash payments, and millions of shares. Shareholders are set to receive $21.6 billion in cash alongside 91.5 million Sysco shares, giving them a significant stake in the global food distribution giant.
Jetro, a key part of Kirsh’s business empire, reported about $2.1 billion in earnings from $16 billion in revenue in 2025. The performance strengthened investor confidence and pushed valuations higher.
Kirsh built his empire far from the spotlight. He was born in Potchefstroom in 1932 and started his career in his family’s malt business. Later, he expanded into corn milling in Eswatini before returning to South Africa to grow a wholesale food distribution network under Moshal Gevisser.
His business expanded further in 1976 when he entered the United States and founded Jetro in Brooklyn, New York. The company later acquired Restaurant Depot in 1994, creating one of the largest wholesale food networks in the US with 166 stores across 35 states.
Over time, Kirsh diversified into security systems, real estate, and private equity across multiple continents. His business footprint now stretches across four continents through the Kirsh Group.
He left South Africa in 1986 after selling major parts of his business to Sanlam. Today, he lives in Eswatini, while maintaining links to the UK and the United States.
Behind Kirsh in South Africa’s billionaire rankings are Johann Rupert and Nicky Oppenheimer, with estimated fortunes of $14.8 billion. However, all three remain far below Elon Musk, whose wealth exceeds $800 billion.
Kirsh’s rise reflects a long, quiet expansion strategy built on wholesale food distribution, global positioning, and decades of reinvestment rather than public attention.
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