South Africa’s Saltzman family gains $53.5 million from Dis-Chem shares

Key Points

• Saltzman family’s Dis-Chem stake jumps $53.5 million after a 13.81% share price rally, restoring much of their earlier 2025 losses.
• Dis-Chem’s market cap surpasses $1.5 billion as investor confidence returns, boosting shareholder wealth and strengthening the Saltzman family’s standing among South Africa’s richest.
• Despite the rebound, Dis-Chem shares remain down 11.41% year-to-date, with investors cautiously optimistic about continued recovery in the coming months.

The Saltzman family, one of South Africa’s wealthiest, has seen a strong recovery in the value of their holdings in Dis-Chem Pharmacies, driven by a sharp rise in the company’s share price on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).

As the founders of the Gauteng-based healthcare group, Lynette and Ivan Saltzman, along with their family, hold a 29.3-percent stake, amounting to 252,066,319 shares. Over the past month, the value of their stake has jumped by R978.02 million ($53.5 million), pushing the family’s total holdings to nearly $440 million and reinforcing their standing among the country’s richest investors.

This recovery follows earlier losses recorded between Feb. 7 and Mar. 10, when the value of their stake dropped by $45.37 million—from R8.65 billion ($473.47 million) to R7.82 billion ($428.09 million). The recent turnaround reflects a fresh wave of investor confidence in the pharmacy group.

Dis-Chem shares rally nearly 14%

Founded more than four decades ago, Dis-Chem has grown into one of South Africa’s leading names in retail healthcare. The company operates dispensaries, family clinics, wound care centers, and large self-medication hubs, cementing its role as a vital part of everyday healthcare for many South Africans.

In the past month, Dis-Chem’s share price has climbed 13.81 percent, rising from R28.10 ($1.54) on April 4 to R31.98 ($1.75). This rally has pushed the company’s market value beyond $1.5 billion, rewarding shareholders, including the Saltzman family, with solid gains.

Saltzman family’s wealth boosted by $53.5 million gain

Thanks to the strong performance, the market value of the Saltzman family’s stake has climbed from R7.08 billion ($387.44 million) at the start of April to R9.17 billion ($515.9 million) today—an increase of R2.09 billion ($128.46 million).

This major boost has not only restored much of the wealth they lost earlier this year but also strengthened their position among South Africa’s wealthiest families, highlighting their lasting impact on the country’s business landscape.

Looking ahead: Caution amid hope

Despite the recent rally, Dis-Chem shares are still down 11.41 percent so far this year. A $100,000 investment at the start of 2025 would now be worth about $88,590, reflecting a loss of $11,410. As the stock recovers some ground, investors are watching closely, hoping the coming months will bring more stability to a market that’s been anything but steady.