South Africa’s Saltzman family sees $28.6 million gain from Dis-Chem shares

Key Points

• Saltzman family stake in Dis-Chem rises to $476 million after shares gain 6.4% in just 22 days on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
• Dis-Chem shares rise 6.4% since May 8, lifting the company’s market cap to over $1.6 billion and delivering solid gains to major investors.
• Despite recent gains, Dis-Chem shares are down 6.57% in 2025, with a $100,000 investment declining to $93,430, reflecting lingering market pressures.

The Saltzman family—among South Africa’s wealthiest—has recorded a significant boost in the market value of their stake in Dis-Chem Pharmacies, following a sharp rise in the company’s share price on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). 

Saltzman family’s Dis-Chem stake hits $476 million

Lynette and Ivan Saltzman, the founders of Gauteng-based healthcare giant Dis-Chem, along with their family, own a 29.3 percent stake in the company—amounting to 252,066,319 shares.

In the past 22 days alone, the market value of the family’s stake has risen by R511.69 million ($28.63 million), bringing their total holding to $476 million. This increase highlights the family's position as one of South Africa’s wealthiest.

This recent gain follows an earlier rise in their stake’s value, which grew by $53.5 million between Apr. 4 and May 5. During that period, their holdings climbed from R7.08 billion ($387.44 million) to R9.17 billion ($515.9 million), highlighting the steady strength of their investment in Dis-Chem.

Dis-Chem shares surge nearly 6.4% in 22 days

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 three weeks, Dis-Chem’s share price has climbed 6.4 percent, rising from R31.70 ($1.77) on May 8 to R33.73 ($1.89). This steady gain has lifted the company’s market capitalization to more than $1.6 billion—bringing welcome returns to its investors, especially the Saltzman family.

Thanks to the share price increase, the value of the Saltzmans’ 29.3-percent stake has grown by R511.7 million ($28.6 million), moving from R7.99 billion ($447 million) to R8.5 billion ($475.7 million).

Your money and your life

Although Dis-Chem’s shares have bounced back in recent weeks, they’re still down 6.57 percent for the year. An investment of $100,000 at the start of 2025 would now be worth $93,430—a drop of $6,570. That dip underscores the ongoing challenges the company faces, even as the stock shows signs of recovery.