Early Life
Nathan “Natie” Kirsh was born in 1932 in Potchefstroom, South Africa. He went to Potchefstroom Boys High and later earned a commerce degree from the University of the Witwatersrand. After helping his family’s malting factory, he started his own maize milling business in Eswatini in 1958.
Building a Food Empire
Back in South Africa in 1970, Kirsh bought Moshal Gevisser, a grocery wholesaler that supplied black shop owners during apartheid. The company grew into one of the country’s biggest food retailers.
In 1976 he moved to the United States and opened a cash‑and‑carry store in Brooklyn, New York, called Jetro. Six years later he bought Restaurant Depot, and the two brands teamed up as Jetro Holdings. Over time the chain expanded to 166 stores across 35 states.
The Sysco Deal
In 2025 the U.S. food distributor Sysco agreed to buy Jetro Restaurant Depot for $29.1 billion, including debt. Shareholders received $21.6 billion in cash and 91.5 million Sysco shares, which equals about 16 % of Sysco. Jetro had made $2.1 billion profit on $16 billion revenue that year, a big boost to Kirsh’s wealth.
Beyond Food
Kirsh’s interests stretch past groceries. In the late 1970s he bought Magal Security Systems from Israel Aerospace Industries, took it public on Nasdaq in 1993, and sold his stake in 2014. He also holds real‑estate and private‑equity investments on four continents.
Life Today
After selling much of his South African holdings to Sanlam in 1986, Kirsh moved to Ezulwini, Eswatini, where he lives with his wife Frances. He also spends time in the United Kingdom and the United States. His brother Issie founded the well‑known South African radio station Radio 702 and the media group Primedia.
Conclusion
From a small milling shop in Eswatini to a multi‑billion‑dollar food empire, Nathan Kirsh’s story shows how hard work, smart moves, and a willingness to explore new markets can create massive success. Today he ranks among South Africa’s richest people, with a fortune that continues to grow thanks to deals like the Sysco takeover of Jetro Restaurant Depot.
